Comments on: Reading, Writing, & ‘Rithmetic’

By: Karen Tintori

Karen Tintori — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 00:23:09 +0000

One book a day? Oh, Estella, be still my heart.

It took me years to figure out I always need to have a book with me so I can make good use of time spent waiting in grocery lines, the nail salon, the bank, etc.

At the moment of death, I want to get back all those hours — heck, days — I’ve spent waiting in lines.

By: Estella

Estella — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:04:57 +0000

I think I have spent most of my life reading.
My Dad taught me to read and write before I started school.
I take a book with me everywhere, and average reading one book a day.

By: Cheryl Weiss

Cheryl Weiss — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:44:58 +0000

I loved it!!! I also spent much of my time reading as a kid. I also wanted to read all the books in the childrens section and I started out alphabetically. I decided it was the only way to be sure I was getting to every book. But somewhere in the A’s there was a boring writer or two and I realized the alphabet wasn’t a good way to approach the problem. From there I went to titles that looked interesting and I checked out as many books as they allowed at a time. At the Sherwood Forest Library on 7 Mile, there was a LIMIT! I think 3 books was all I could take. But as soon as I devoured those 3, I went back for more.

For sure you have to be a reader to be a writer. I can see the evidence in my own kids, who were too busy with each other, and with all their physical activities, to spend much time reading. They are only “ok” writers, improving with each year. But I could write well by 6th grade. I know it’s because when you read, you absorb words, styles, techniques, nuances, etc And of course, you develop a love of words for the way they can make you think and feel.