Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Habits

 This week's topic is how reading habits have changed over time. And oh, boy have they.

When I started this blog, 16 years ago, I mostly read YA books. Not too many middle grade books, but a few.  I barely read any picture books. I didn't read much romance. And all that has changed! 

I have talked about how my habits have changed over the years:

2011

2014

2019 (mostly still true today)

The trends over the last few years:

less YA

more romance

More board books and picture books

So far this year, I've read:

320 picture books and board books (which is kind of low to be honest)

190 children's fiction, middle grade, graphic novels, YA books, and adult books

I do tend to read books for work, but also books that I will enjoy.

I still read books for review (see my latest reviews for Fresh Fiction)

How has your reading habits changed over the years?

Bookish Question

 What are you reading?

@yabooknerdlibrarian #stitch with @Let’s Talk Romance Book Club What are you reading??? I'm reading the first book in the Going Wild trilogy from @lisa_mcmann #booktok #middlegradebooks #trilogy #amreading ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

It's been taking me longer to get through books because life is so busy. But this book is super good!

Top Ten Tuesday: Reason to Love Reading

 This week's topic is reasons to love reading. And there are so many.

* Photo taken at Edith Wharton's Library at The Mount.

Summer Reading Program at Your Local Library

Joining the Summer Reading Program at your local library is important for several reasons.:

For Your Child:

1. It helps prevent summer slide, reading just six books over the summer truly helps.

2. It helps give children time to read for fun - something they need to cement their love of reading. Let them choose to read whatever they think looks fun. 

3. There are TONS of programs at your library this summer - programs targeted for all ages.

For Parents:

1. Children model their behavior after parents, which means they need to see their parents reading. All of their parents. It doesn't matter what you're reading (although it's harder for them to recognize you're reading articles online). Let them see you reading; let them see you picking out books. I read before bed every night, but if your kids don't see you reading, you're missing a huge opportunity. Share your passion for reading with your kids.

2. Libraries have programs for adults too. (My library has a program where you read a book and get to pick out a free book. We also have weekly raffle prizes to local businesses)

3. Talk about books, authors, illustrators, and libraries - not in school based way but in general everyday conversation.

4. Read together 

5. Read aloud - it's fun for everyone. Plus you can talk about the story together.

For Your Library:

1. Summer is the busiest time of year for the library.

2. We count on summer to coast us through the lighter months (Winter in New England) when people don't come to the library as much.

3. We want you to come to our programs because we're hosting them for you.

4. But we want you to check out books; we need our circulation statistics to be amazing. 

5. Our summer numbers help boost us over the edge when it's budget time.

6. We want to help readers find books that they will love to read

7. Say hello to us, because we love it when we recognize library families. 

Also, some libraries have summer lunch for kids 18 and under, which helps replace the free lunch from school. If your library has it, it's available for ALL kids, no questions asked.

So head to your local library this summer, changes are they are doing amazing things!

Where I Was (part 2)

After hiking Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon, we traveled to Vegas for some R&R. I know that doesn't seem logical, but...that's who we are. I wanted a place with a fun pool. Of course I did some reading by the pool.

I saved Kristan Higgins's new book for this trip. And of course, it was amazing. I couldn't put it down.

We also went to a wax museum, my first time. It was fun, but it took a bit to get into it.

 Here are some of my favorite photos.

Singing with the Rat Pack

The Hulk grabbed me.

Box Out, Box Out!

Then we just walked around a bit and looked at everything.

We got to visit with some friends for drinks.

Plus I got to chat with an author friend. Sadly, we didn't take a picture this time. 

But you can read about the first time that we met here!

And her books are amazing!

Drop Everything and Read Day

Today is Drop Everything and Read Day!

From the website:

What is D.E.A.R.?
D.E.A.R. stands for “Drop Everything and Read,” a national month-long celebration of reading designed to remind folks of all ages to make reading a priority activity in their lives. Because, what’s more fun(damental) than reading, really? 

When is D.E.A.R. celebrated?
D.E.A.R. programs have been held nationwide on April 12th in honor of Beverly Cleary’s birthday, since she first wrote about D.E.A.R. in Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (pages 40-41). Inspired by letters from readers sharing  their enthusiasm for the D.E.A.R. activities implemented in their schools, Mrs. Cleary decided to give the same experience to Ramona and her classmates. As D.E.A.R. has grown in popularity and scope, the program has expanded to span the entire month of April . . . offering classrooms and communities additional time to celebrate! 

Read more about this day.

I'll be reading this one:

What book will you make time to read today?

August ARC reading

I've got to tell you that I'm in Love with this idea. I have so many great books on the shelves that I've been wanting to read - but things get in the way. With our library system in flux with the holds system, this is a perfect time to concentrate on the books that I have here with me.

So I'm going to attempt 10-15 ARCs sitting on my shelves.

Here are some on my list:

PS: There's a contest that goes along with this challenge for more ARCs. But I'm here to clean up my shelves and read some great books.

My Reading History: The Early Years

 I was at a YA Librarian day a few weeks back and Teri Lesesne spoke about having everyone in her class create a reading history. It sounded like fun, so I thought I'd give it a try.

I've always been a reader, everyone in my family reads. I have vague memories of going to the library and getting lots of books out as a kid. Libraries have also been a part of me forever.  

A few favorite library books:

Favorite books at my house:

Favorite book at my grandparent's house:

This book made me laugh - every single time. 

I learned to read early in life, thanks for my older sister who would go to school and teach me what she learned. I could read before entering kindergarten. 

In first grade, we had Silent Reading. While some students would grab one or two books from the classroom library, I would grab ten to fifteen books and read the stack during the twenty minutes. 

 This was my favorite book in the classroom library

In school, I loved going to the library. I read several of the Betsy books. They spoke to me. My sister's nickname was Betsey and Star and I had the same birthday. I devoured these. They were my first series.

I became a serial reader and still am to this day.

Top Ten Tuesday: Blogging

This week's topic is reasons I Love Being A Blogger/Reader

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Ways Blogging Helps with My Librarian Job

1. I love being able to share books with teens and adult at the library and passing on the love.

2. While obviously I'm not able to read every book - I love it when I hear something good about a book from bloggers I know. I use it to say, "I haven't read this, but I heard it was really good..."

3. I'm able to keep track of what I read much easier with a blog.

4. Making suggestions for the Middle School Summer Reading List.

5. Seeing ARCs that other bloggers get and are excited about helps immensely with Collection Development 

Ways I Love Being a Reader Blogger

1. Talking with authors about loving their books

2. Meeting authors at book signings or conferences (yes, fangirling happens most of the time)

3. Talking to publishers about the great books they're promoting.

4. Talking about books with other bloggers and seeing what they think about the same book

5. Talking about books on social media sites: what we love, what we don't love, what covers are awesome or strange....

All of these reasons run close together, but clearly I love reading and talking about the books I read or want to read.

What I'm Reading:

Results are in:

Most of you are like me and read/watch series in order.

Now I have evidence when my husband tries to convince me to watch something out of order in a series we're usually watching. He doesn't win, but it doesn't stop him from trying.