Dear reader, please humor me in reading this excerpt from The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak:
Late in February, she stood on Munich Street and watched a single giant cloud come over the hills like a white monster. It climbed the mountains. The sun eclipsed, and in its place, a white beast with a gray heart watched the town.
“Would you look at that?” she said to Papa.
Hans cocked his head and stated what he felt was obvious.
“You should give it to Max, Liesel.”
Liesel watched him as if he’d gone insane. “How though?”
Lightly, he tapped her skull with his knuckles. “Memorize it. Then write it down for him.”
Why Read?
Reading is magical. In the excerpt I shared above, the imagery, the characterization, and the absurdity of the situation all work together to create such a memorable moment. That doesn’t just happen. Author Markus Zuzak could have told this scene in many different ways. Or not told it at all. Let’s step inside his mind for a moment–the mind of a writer. Every single word was carefully chosen. Every sentence, crafted. And, of course, the idea that a young girl might want to gift someone a cloud was imagined.
Now let’s immerse ourselves in the actual story again. Consider why Liesel is told to “write it down” by her Papa. Isn’t it obvious? Max will be able to read about it, and share in this awesome moment with Liesel through her words! That is why I read, and why you should too! There is an intimacy between writer and reader unlike anything else. It is how we share our stories and experiences with one another.
Reading Feeds Writing
In her article “Explaining the Symbiotic Relationship Between Reading and Writing” Kara Douma aptly states that “reading feeds writing.” I also believe the reverse is true, that writing feeds reading. In fact, I wrote all about it In a previous blog on the writing process! I’m sure Kara Douma agrees. That’s the symbiotic relationship she’s referring to. However, she goes further to say that schools often underemphasize this relationship, encouraging reading for the sake of reading. Or keeping reading and writing as distinct, separate tasks. Or only encouraging writing about what is being read (e.g. a book report). But, truly, reading as a writer carries the most value in terms of imagination and creativity. Even if you don’t ever literally write anything down. Think of it as a mindset that produces that magical exchange of ideas. It’s a river of curiosity allowing us to not only enjoy a story, but also acknowledge that someone wrote it, made a million choices to best tell it, and intentionally made it more than just paper, text, and binding. It’s Liesel gifting Max a cloud through her words, over and over again.
What To Read
It would be a shame not to mention all of the ways you can read. You can read a book, of course. But that’s like saying you can drink liquids and eat food. True, but there’s something much more palatable in pairing chocolate milk with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Likewise, rather than get stuck on “reading books,” let’s add some flavor! Read how to draw manga characters. Read about wild robots. Read superhero comics. Read how to make cupcakes. Why stop there? Read subtitles on a manga cartoon! Or read the room–the art of figuring out what a group of people are thinking based on their words, actions, and body language. Read street signs as you travel to new places. Read the manual next time you get a new piece of technology. Read music, or the lyrics to your favorite song. You can even read graphs! Words and symbols are everywhere–carefully chosen by writers everywhere. When you read as a writer, you ask why something is written in this or that way? What message did they want you to receive? What do you like about their style, organization, and structure? What do you dislike about it? How would you do it differently? Or what techniques might you borrow next time you decide to write?
Getting Started
Dr. Berit Gordon is a leading expert on nurturing a love of reading. She believes the most important piece of maintaining (or rekindling) a steady diet of reading is to think beyond the chapter book. As I’ve already discussed, the fun is lost when we read for the sake of reading or limit ourselves to just one type of book. Instead she says focus on volume. That is, go out there and read anything that you can! Yes, books. Of course, books. But so much more. Anything and everything that contains text or symbols to interpret, decode, decipher, or act upon.
Just don’t get stuck. Using the metaphor of a healthy diet, actively embrace variety in your reading just like you would choose a variety of proteins, carbs, fruits, veggies, and desserts.
Try this! Go to the library with a list of ideas, interests, and/or activities you’d like to learn more about. Then find books that satisfy your curiosity. For example, if I was in middle school, my list might be the following:
- Robots
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computers
- Programming
At the library, I might check out the following books:
- “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown
- “How AI Works” by Lisa Idzikowski
- “The History of the Computer” by Rachel Ignotofsky
- “How To Build Lego Robots” by Jessica Farrell
Then with my stack of books, I’d find a quiet space in my home with minimal distractions (i.e. no screens). Then I would just dig in! I might read the first chapter or so of “The Wild Robot.” Then I might page through “How AI Works.” Then I might find something interesting in “The History of the Computer.” Time will undoubtedly fly by without me even knowing it! Lastly, I might decide to put all the other books aside and crack open that lego robot book! I’m ready to do something with all of my new ideas. And I’m still reading!
Building Momentum
Beyond encouraging volume, Dr. Gordon has specific strategies to get reluctant readers to read. Here’s some of her recommendations:
- Browse titles at the library or book store - see what titles grab you
- Keep a list of books you’ve read or would like to read
- Read a variety of book types (e.g. novels, cook books, drawing books, etc.)
- Visit the library and other book stores often
- Talk about what you read with family and friends
- Better yet, read with family and friends
- Maybe even start an actual book club
Ultimately, I hope you start to identify as a reader. It’s not a chore. It’s not an expectation. It’s just what you do to stay connected, informed, curious, and inspired.
Underground Reading
Donalyn Miller, author of “The Book Whisperer: Awakening The Inner Reader In Every Child,” suggests there are three types of reader identities–developing, dormant, and underground. A developing reader simply needs more practice. A dormant reader somehow lost their joy of reading. Both are perfect candidates to try my suggestions for getting started. That is, go to the library, check out a variety of books that seem interesting, and carve out some time to read them. Enough said. No other requirements. Because, admittedly, becoming a good reader takes practice, commitment, and intentionality. Start small. Try to build a routine. Focus on the magic rather than the task. In other words, don’t count pages or watch the clock. Engage in the message being shared with you by the writer. If you absolutely need a physical goal marker, try placing the bookmark a few pages ahead. That way, you can forget about it until it naturally comes into view.
Eventually, do-it-yourself learners that read for their own benefit become underground readers. Underground readers plan ahead. They are, as Dr. Gordon describes, “time thieves.” They read at the edges of their daily routine. The ride to and from school. On the bench outside the grocery store. In the waiting room at the dentist. During the last 10 minutes of math class. When that happens, you should notice a HUGE change in your schooling experience. Someone who reads as a writer, and sees the value in the constant exchange of ideas, stories, and experiences from books, will flourish in their studies. You’ll have a stronger vocabulary, a broader perspective, a deeper knowledge base, and genuine curiosity.
I’d like to end with another interpretation of underground reading. Try to associate “underground” as calm, quiet, and cozy. Alternatively, think of “above ground” as bright, loud, and busy. Underground might have candle light, comfy pillows, and hot cocoa. Above ground might have screens, schedules, and noise. Underground might be akin to camping, board games, and drawing. Above ground might be akin to amusement parks, movie theaters, and sporting events. All of these things are part of our everyday life. All of these things can be enjoyable, enriching, and opportunities for learning. But reading is the most sacred activity of the underground. Reading doesn’t just feed writing. It feeds your entire wellbeing. It remains the perfect escape from all of the hustle and bustle of life. It’s a passive collection of words and symbols, transmitted from one to another, awaiting your interpretation and imagination. Reading is magical.
References:
Douma, K. (2020, September 16). The Symbiotic Relationship Between Reading and Writing. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/symbiotic-relationship-between-reading-writing/
Miller, D. (2009). The Book Whisperer: Awakening The Inner Reader In Every Child. Jossey-Bass.
Zusak, M. (2005). The Book Thief. Alfred A. Knopf.
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