Just like the world changes from season to season, my reading preferences change too.
Years ago, when I was a stay-at-home mom, I didn't read very much. When I did, it was usually some kind of romance novel, usually from Nora Roberts. The demands of motherhood kept me from being a voracious reader and I think I remember my goal was to read one book a month. Many months I did not reach that goal.
When I went back to school to get my teaching license, the only books I read were textbooks. No time for "fun" reading. This reading was pretty dry and it was pretty long. I didn't like it.
Then I became a teacher. I was eager to soak in any and all advice I could find to make myself a better teacher. Professional titles lined my shelves. Books by Ralph Fletcher, Regie Routman, Lucy Caulkins and more were always close by. I read a lot and learned a lot.
Now that I have been teaching for awhile, I notice my reading tastes have changed again. I still read professional titles, but not as many. Now, I am focused on taking in the literature that my students would enjoy. Titles by Jacqueline Woodson, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Kate Messner, and others sit in my TBR stack. I can't read them fast enough because I am always in a rush to get them into the hands of a student whom I know would enjoy it the most.
If someone was to check out my bookshelves as an artifact of my life, they would probably be very confused by the wide range of titles and genres. But that's OK. That's what keeps life -- and reading -- interesting.
What reading season are you in right now?
Jennifer, I love this idea of a "reading season"! Every major life change brings a new season of reading for me, as it's my favorite way to process, adjust, and move forward. I remember the season I had where all I was reading was parenting books, as an overwhelmed mother of twins. Now that I'm going through another big life change (separation), I'm reading memoirs and novels that inspire me as well as reassure me. Great topic!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the idea of reading seasons. I've noticed reading phases over my life, but the word season indicates that it's cyclical, which is really cool. I'm a mother of a 7-month old, and I can tell you one book a month is my goal right now too. (WW Erin)
ReplyDeleteYour reading seasons mirror mine. Although right now, I'm in the middle of professional titles and middle grade titles. I can't keep up! I remember those days of being a stay at home mom and trying to read one book a month was indeed a lofty goal. :)
ReplyDeleteReading seasons, now that's an interesting concept. These days I switch back and forth from professional books to fiction. Depends on when the library lets me know what's on my hold shelf.
ReplyDeleteLove the "reading seasons" and the image of our bookshelves being artifacts of our life.
ReplyDeleteMy shelves would also confuse people for sure. I like the idea of reading seasons. I think my seasons would be much shorter and they vary more, but I definitely have cycles and patterns in my reading. What an inspirational idea to consider.
ReplyDeleteMy shelves would also confuse people for sure. I like the idea of reading seasons. I think my seasons would be much shorter and they vary more, but I definitely have cycles and patterns in my reading. What an inspirational idea to consider.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of reading seasons!!! Right now I am in a season of reading memoirs and essays that have to do with my spiritual side. Have you ever read at a book at one point in your life and reread it at another and felt entirely different about it?!?!? That's one of my favorite things about reading!! Thank you for a wonderful post!!!!
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