Week Three: My Reading Life

I am participating in The Busy Librarian’s World Read Aloud Day Blogging Challenge, below is the assignement for week three and my entry.

A Snapshot of My Reading Life

Post a photo that gives readers a glimpse into your reading life. This could be your favorite place to read, your bookshelf, your library, your classroom, a book from childhood that you still re-read today, your favorite person to read with. Anything that brings joy to your reading life will work!

Below the photo share a short narrative explaining why this picture is meaningful to you.

Screen Shot 2014-03-02 at 7.18.06 PM

This is a screen shot from Amazon of my Kindle library. I love to read, have always loved to read, and for the most part read “regular” books.  When I finally broke down and got a smart phone I downloaded the Kindle app.  On September 18, 2011, I downloaded two free titles and I never looked back.  There are now 140 books in my Kindle collection most of them already read. I still order print books, especially picture books, but I do love the convenience of always having my book with me.  I even ended up buying an actual Kindle paperwhite a few months ago, but tend to read off my phone most of the time.  I like that I always have it with me.  I know, I know I could carry a book with me. But my phone is already with me and I don’t forget it.  If I am sitting on the sidewalk at Disney waiting for the parade, waiting at the dentist,  getting my hair done, or eating lunch in my office,  I can finish up a few chapters.  Finish a book? I can start a new one already downloaded or even buy the next book in the series where ever I am.  Since using my phone I have really gotten back into the grove of reading books for me and not just books for work.

Just recently I have bought some Kindle versions of picture books for school.  I was buying the book and even with my two day Prime shipping I couldn’t wait to read the book and so bought the Kindle version too.  For picture books I use the Kindle’s cloud reader on my computer.  I used it to share the books with my students and will be using it to share with some of our WRAD connections.

This really wasn’t meant to be an advertisement for Amazon or Kindle but it is a big part of my reading life right now.  I think the important thing to remember is if you want to read, and want to make time for reading, then do what you need to do to make it happen.  For me, it was realizing I didn’t have to have the hardcover or physical book for me to still be able to read and enjoy the story.  As a librarian, I do like have my bookcases full of books in my house and I have them all over the place along with books stacked by my bed.  With that said, I do like always having my book in my purse or back pocket and more titles ready, just a download away.

So whether you are old school or new school reading, as long as you are reading you are doing it right!

Reflect Connect Obsess

Winter break is a time to rest, relax and spend time with family. It is also time to reflect, connect and obsess about how to make your program better for your students!

 

Reflect:

I spent time thinking and pondering about my program and what I can do to help my students.  Reading different blogs gave me much to think about, especially  the wonderful Jennifer LaGarde’s, Adventures of Library Girl.  Her recent post, 11 Questions (About Libraries) That Need Answers made by brain hurt!  They are questions that can’t help but make you a better school librarian by just thinking about them.  I am still working on my answers and will post them when I get them sorted out.

 

 

TL Virtual Cafe is tomorrow night and Library Girl, Jennifer LaGarde along with Jennifer Northrup, The Candid Librarian will be on.  Another one of my fav bloggers Matthew Winner, The Busy Librarian will be host.  I can’t wait to listen in and learn from these great librarians.

I also spent time during the break trying to catch up on my professional reading, I got some great ideas to put into motion when I get back.

 

prof-reading

 

Connect:

I spent some time meeting up with some of my librarian peeps for some book store browsing, fun to have time to talk books.  We even helped a few customers find good books to read!

 

prof-peeps

 

Obsess (and Connect):

I have already started obsessing about World Read Aloud Day, which isn’t until March 5th!  I plan to celebrate all week at school and have made 11 (and counting) connections for my students during that week.   It is always exciting to reach out and connect with other students in different schools and states.  The kids love it and I get to develop lasting professional contacts.

More obsessing, I am close to implementing my Lunch Bunch Book Brag.  I just need to work out the last few kinks.  I put signs up in the library and have already had some students ask about so when I launch the program I don’t think I will have any trouble getting some takers.

 

So from my house to yours I hope you have a great Winter Break and are ready for a fun 2014!

Christmas Eve Pajamas

Christmas Eve Pajamas

 

Happy Reading!

 

 

Still Here!

This has been a busy, crazy year but I am still here.  I’m looking forward to my state conference, FAME, at the end of this week.  I am presenting with my good friend, Julie Hiltz, and then plan to relax and enjoy the rest of the conference.

I always come away with so many great ideas and with the conference at the beginning of my fall week long break I will have time to reflect and plan for the second semester of school.

I have already been thinking of a new lunch time program called Lunch Bunch Book Brag.  More details coming soon!

 

Happy Reading!