Comments on: Are readers born, or made? http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/ about the craft and business of fiction Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:09:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sophie Masson http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-87353 Sophie Masson Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:45:15 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-87353 A great post.. I agree, readers are born not made, though there can be a latent tendency in some people that gets triggered at at a later stage--for instance my siblings and I grew up in a house full of books--and we had no TV either. I am an absolute book-aholic and was from the start; my younger sister hated seeing me read and would snatch books out of my hand and demand I go play--she never read as a kid but reads a lot as an adult now. my other sisters read moderately only..one of my brothers reads heaps of fiction and never non-fiction, though he's an aerodynamics engineer and quite mathematical and scientific otherwise; the other brother will only read non-fiction and then only specific sorts of books--on sport, on geography, on curious facts--As to my kids, they all read, and they all prefer fiction, though very different sorts--and they will read non-fiction too if they are interested in the subject. I think it's very important to read to your kids, regardless of what happens later--because even if they don't read much later, their minds and imaginations will still have been furnished with lots of rich and interesting material which will stand them in good stead later.. A great post..
I agree, readers are born not made, though there can be a latent tendency in some people that gets triggered at at a later stage–for instance my siblings and I grew up in a house full of books–and we had no TV either. I am an absolute book-aholic and was from the start; my younger sister hated seeing me read and would snatch books out of my hand and demand I go play–she never read as a kid but reads a lot as an adult now. my other sisters read moderately only..one of my brothers reads heaps of fiction and never non-fiction, though he’s an aerodynamics engineer and quite mathematical and scientific otherwise; the other brother will only read non-fiction and then only specific sorts of books–on sport, on geography, on curious facts–As to my kids, they all read, and they all prefer fiction, though very different sorts–and they will read non-fiction too if they are interested in the subject.
I think it’s very important to read to your kids, regardless of what happens later–because even if they don’t read much later, their minds and imaginations will still have been furnished with lots of rich and interesting material which will stand them in good stead later..

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]]> By: Nora http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86435 Nora Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:15:05 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86435 I am a firm believer that readers are born - at least that is my experience. I grew up in a home where books were a luxury (I don't think we even owned one) but as soon as I began school and discovered the library I was hooked. On Saturday, when we went to town (yeah, you're right I'm old and very rural) my brother and sister would go there own way and I would head to the public library. The folks always knew where to find me. So, I was born a reader and now my house overflows with all the books I didn't have when I was growing up. I'm content. I am a firm believer that readers are born – at least that is my experience. I grew up in a home where books were a luxury (I don’t think we even owned one) but as soon as I began school and discovered the library I was hooked. On Saturday, when we went to town (yeah, you’re right I’m old and very rural) my brother and sister would go there own way and I would head to the public library. The folks always knew where to find me. So, I was born a reader and now my house overflows with all the books I didn’t have when I was growing up. I’m content.

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]]> By: Georgie B http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86399 Georgie B Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:43:00 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86399 I really never had any close friends while growing up, so I've always found refuge at the public library, where I would read anything that grabbed my fancy. Since I've always read newspapers, the first genre I connected with was non-fiction, specifically true crime. I did branch out to other genres (historical fiction and fantasy are my two faves) as I got older, but never really got into straight fiction until about two or three years ago. Now my reading consumption has dropped off a bit, but I still try to read a book a week in a few new genres (at least for me): mysteries and romance. One other thing, in my opinion, readers are born, not made. My parents never really read much of anything beyond the newspaper, the tabloids, sports magazines and pulp fiction. And my brother was the same way, only reads when necessary. I really never had any close friends while growing up, so I’ve always found refuge at the public library, where I would read anything that grabbed my fancy.

Since I’ve always read newspapers, the first genre I connected with was non-fiction, specifically true crime. I did branch out to other genres (historical fiction and fantasy are my two faves) as I got older, but never really got into straight fiction until about two or three years ago.

Now my reading consumption has dropped off a bit, but I still try to read a book a week in a few new genres (at least for me): mysteries and romance.

One other thing, in my opinion, readers are born, not made. My parents never really read much of anything beyond the newspaper, the tabloids, sports magazines and pulp fiction. And my brother was the same way, only reads when necessary.

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]]> By: Therese Walsh http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86383 Therese Walsh Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:31:29 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86383 Ixtab, you reminded me of a situation I had in junior high or high school. I had to pick up a book during the library period (school rules), so I grabbed a fantasy novel. For some reason, I started reading it, instead of letting it collect graham cracker crumbs in my backpack along with my other library books. And, surprise, I fell into it. I wasn't a quick reader, though, and had to turn it back into the library the following week unfinished. I guess I wasn't nervy enough then to ask the librarian for an extension. I never did reconnect with that particular book, but knowing what I know now, I understand why I was hooked: I love a good fantasy. I believe that was my very first. Ixtab, you reminded me of a situation I had in junior high or high school. I had to pick up a book during the library period (school rules), so I grabbed a fantasy novel. For some reason, I started reading it, instead of letting it collect graham cracker crumbs in my backpack along with my other library books. And, surprise, I fell into it. I wasn’t a quick reader, though, and had to turn it back into the library the following week unfinished. I guess I wasn’t nervy enough then to ask the librarian for an extension. I never did reconnect with that particular book, but knowing what I know now, I understand why I was hooked: I love a good fantasy. I believe that was my very first.

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]]> By: Ixtab http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86382 Ixtab Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:17:10 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86382 I've been a lurker here for a while but I'm suddenly reminded of how I fell in love with books. My parents were avid readers and we had a house full of books. Unlike most children in West Africa I was lucky enough to go to a good school and have college educated parents, but I was not interested in reading. My mother would buy books for me, and read to me, and even beg me to read, but I was simply not interested. Oddly enough though, one day my mother brought home one of the Redwall books and there was this cute mouse in the cover holding a sword in his paw and I was intrigued. So I read the book. In three days. And I went to the library and got every book in the Redwall series they had and I never stopped reading after that. Especially fantasy books. My mother and I love to read and we exchange books all the time, but my sister doesn't read as much as we do, so I think it has more to do with nurture than nature in our family. I’ve been a lurker here for a while but I’m suddenly reminded of how I fell in love with books.

My parents were avid readers and we had a house full of books. Unlike most children in West Africa I was lucky enough to go to a good school and have college educated parents, but I was not interested in reading. My mother would buy books for me, and read to me, and even beg me to read, but I was simply not interested.

Oddly enough though, one day my mother brought home one of the Redwall books and there was this cute mouse in the cover holding a sword in his paw and I was intrigued. So I read the book. In three days. And I went to the library and got every book in the Redwall series they had and I never stopped reading after that. Especially fantasy books. My mother and I love to read and we exchange books all the time, but my sister doesn’t read as much as we do, so I think it has more to do with nurture than nature in our family.

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]]> By: Kristan http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86381 Kristan Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:46:07 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86381 Okay first of all: if she doesn't want the Jonas Brothers CD, SEND IT TO ME!! :D Second: I always thought I was a reader b/c of my family, and I still sort of think I am, BUT I realize now that it ISN'T because my parents read a lot. Because they don't. Probably 50% of the books in our house growing up were mine (and keep in mind that I was 18 or under, whereas they'd had their whole lifetimes to amass a library). They didn't read THAT much themselves (I'd say an average amount, although my dad reads TONS of newspapers and magazines) BUT they fostered reading in me. Books were the one thing I was allowed to buy without limit or guilt or "earning" (unlike candy or toys). So I "blame" my parents for my voracious reading habit, but I don't think it's exactly something I "inherited" from them. (How do you like all my parentheses and quotation marks, eh? It's been one of those days...) Okay first of all: if she doesn’t want the Jonas Brothers CD, SEND IT TO ME!! :D

Second: I always thought I was a reader b/c of my family, and I still sort of think I am, BUT I realize now that it ISN’T because my parents read a lot. Because they don’t. Probably 50% of the books in our house growing up were mine (and keep in mind that I was 18 or under, whereas they’d had their whole lifetimes to amass a library). They didn’t read THAT much themselves (I’d say an average amount, although my dad reads TONS of newspapers and magazines) BUT they fostered reading in me. Books were the one thing I was allowed to buy without limit or guilt or “earning” (unlike candy or toys). So I “blame” my parents for my voracious reading habit, but I don’t think it’s exactly something I “inherited” from them.

(How do you like all my parentheses and quotation marks, eh? It’s been one of those days…)

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]]> By: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86367 Kathleen Bolton Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:51:52 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86367 I agree it's got to be a combo of nature/nurture, but I also wonder if people who are more visually-oriented instead of tactially oriented gravitate to reading more often. My brother never liked fiction, but he read everything he could about reptiles, war, UFO mysteries, fishing -- typical boy non-fiction. He's still more of a non-fiction person to this day. I, on the other hand, loved my Little House books, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Beverly Cleary. I also still prefer fiction over non-fiction. So there are levels to this thing. Therese, that's odd that you didn't discover the joy of books until you were an adult. And now look at you! I agree it’s got to be a combo of nature/nurture, but I also wonder if people who are more visually-oriented instead of tactially oriented gravitate to reading more often. My brother never liked fiction, but he read everything he could about reptiles, war, UFO mysteries, fishing — typical boy non-fiction. He’s still more of a non-fiction person to this day.

I, on the other hand, loved my Little House books, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Beverly Cleary. I also still prefer fiction over non-fiction. So there are levels to this thing.

Therese, that’s odd that you didn’t discover the joy of books until you were an adult. And now look at you!

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]]> By: Stace http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86362 Stace Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:36:41 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86362 I've always assumed both my daughters were eager readers because their father and I are readers (coming from families of avid readers) and we started reading to them when they were very young. Maybe it's not just a matter of being raised with books, but finding the books that capture a child's attention. I’ve always assumed both my daughters were eager readers because their father and I are readers (coming from families of avid readers) and we started reading to them when they were very young.

Maybe it’s not just a matter of being raised with books, but finding the books that capture a child’s attention.

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]]> By: D. Robert Pease http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86357 D. Robert Pease Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:14:38 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86357 I'm not sure where I fall on the spectrum, but I'll throw this out. My son 10 is a voracious reader. It gets to the point where we have to make him set his book down to go outside and play on a sunny day. His mother read to him every night for about an hour when he was little. She is not a big reader herself, but this was her quality time with him. My daughter on the other hand who is seven doesn't seem to be into books near as much. She does read, but seems to do it among a long list of other things she enjoys. I am in charge of putting her to bed, and confession time. I don't read to her near as long as my wife read to our son. By that time of the night I'm shot, and can't keep my eyes open long enough to read for an hour, that and my daughter usually has a whole spectrum of things that seem to keep her from getting in bed on time each night. I however am a book-a-holic. So is it environment, in the genes, or because of a conscious part on the parents behalf to read to their children. Probably a combination of the three. I’m not sure where I fall on the spectrum, but I’ll throw this out. My son 10 is a voracious reader. It gets to the point where we have to make him set his book down to go outside and play on a sunny day. His mother read to him every night for about an hour when he was little. She is not a big reader herself, but this was her quality time with him.

My daughter on the other hand who is seven doesn’t seem to be into books near as much. She does read, but seems to do it among a long list of other things she enjoys. I am in charge of putting her to bed, and confession time. I don’t read to her near as long as my wife read to our son. By that time of the night I’m shot, and can’t keep my eyes open long enough to read for an hour, that and my daughter usually has a whole spectrum of things that seem to keep her from getting in bed on time each night. I however am a book-a-holic.

So is it environment, in the genes, or because of a conscious part on the parents behalf to read to their children. Probably a combination of the three.

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]]> By: Jamie http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86356 Jamie Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:04:19 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2008/09/22/are-readers-born-or-made/#comment-86356 I grew up with 5 sisters and 2 brothers, and out of t he eight of us, I am the ONLY one that has an overwhelming passion for reading! My mother read to us all and got me started in a book club as a birthday gift one year and I was hooked! But my siblings could do without, so being born as a reader sounds much more believable to me...although teaching one to love reading is a great concept that the world should continue to achieve! I grew up with 5 sisters and 2 brothers, and out of t he eight of us, I am the ONLY one that has an overwhelming passion for reading! My mother read to us all and got me started in a book club as a birthday gift one year and I was hooked! But my siblings could do without, so being born as a reader sounds much more believable to me…although teaching one to love reading is a great concept that the world should continue to achieve!

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