(If you mention the dust on my nightstand you'll be disqualified, so don't even go there!!)
Before I hit the publish button for the first time on this blog, I sat down and wrote myself a mission statement. It reads:
"To create a multi-generational community of
I honestly didn't know if the "multi-generational" part of that mission would work because we do tend to gravitate towards those people who share our personal experience. Young moms tend to seek out other young moms. But I felt that those of us who have raised our children have experience and hindsight to share.
I've been happy to see younger women hanging out here with those of us who are on the downside of child rearing.
During the process of blogging I've met some awesome and talented people. One of the first bloggers I met after starting this site was Cindy La Ferle. Unlike those of us who play at writing, Cindy is an author with a body of work in the publishing industry. She's written for newspapers (Detroit Free Press) and national publications including Mary Englebreit's Home Companion, Reader's Digest, Country Gardens, Better Homes and Gardens, Literary Mama and more. Whew, that's a lot of writing.
She has put together a collection of essays in a book entitled, "Writing Home". Her stories reflect the themes that resonate with all of us - the challenges of parenting, preparing for the empty nest, living creatively, aging gracefully and reinventing family traditions.
When my children were small I got into the habit of reading essays. Busy days jam packed with activities left me with little time before sleep to delve into a novel. It was possible to read an essay and feel like I'd accomplished something mentally stimulating before I drifted off to sleep.
Cindy's stories helped me remember those special moments in life or prepared me for what's to come. She's managed all this with a distinct perspective and a wonderful philosophy on life.
I want you to have a chance to read Cindy's book and I have a signed copy to give away!
Here's what you do. Leave a comment. Tell me, do you read at night before you go to bed? Do you tuck books into your handbag to read a page or two at the doctor's office? Let me know your reading habits. Why? Because inquiring minds want to know!
Her blog - Cindy La Ferles Home Office
Deadline for leaving your comment is midnight (Central Standard Time), winner announced on Thursday morning.
39 comments:
I love to read. I have a book in my beach bag that I only read while at the beach. I have a book in my medical bag and I read that when I have a free minute at work. I have book on my coffee table that I read when I have a few free minutes at home, and I have a book on my bedside table. I never get confused reading so many books at once, and believe it or not, I always finish the books I start.
I love to read! I find it rewarding that my daughter now hands me books tghat she thinkis I would love to read. What goes around, comes around. I read when there is a break, as in a doctor's office. I rarely read at night, because I am too tired. But, if I start a book that is "great", 'Katie bar the door' because nothing else will get done. I love it. Would love a copy of this book.
I read everything...cereal boxes, encyclopedias, flyers, posters, of course books...currently reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult...great book so far. I read everywhere, I take a book wherever I go!
Hey Suzanne! I read at night, while watching TV, before bed, in the middle of the night when I can't sleep, in the morning, in the bathroom, at lunch, at dinner... you get the idea. I keep a book in my car, too. :)
xoxo,
mary
I can't go to sleep with out reading a chapter or two....some times too many and then I pay the next day. But I also take my book with me where ever I go to catch a few pages while am waiting in the car or where ever. I love to read and I'll read any thing I can find.
Right now am into Sookie Stackhouse series "True Blood." Nothing like a good ole vampire and mystery. Ha ha.. What is really neat is that my granddaughter and I discuss all these books that she reads and I read. She is 14, one way to stay in touch with her and her feelings.
If I don't win I think I'll get her book any way to read. Thanks
We both read every night in bed. I usually have a different book going upstairs and down. Our home is full of books though I try to give away the ones I enjoyed reading. I think your giveaway is a great idea and hope you do it again!
I always have a book in the basket beside my bed - in fact usually a half dozen. I read until my eyes won't stay open any longer or until I'm not absorbing what I'm reading, whichever comes first. I'm also addicted to books on tapes or cd. I keep them in my car, my sewing room, and on my ipod. I listen in the doctor's office with my stitching in my lap. I listen while waiting to go into physical therapy. I listen while doing laundry or washing dishes. Books are addicting, but thank goodness have no calories. blessings, marlene
I really enjoy reading. I did as a child but then as I was married with small children, I was happy to hit the pillow at night. But in the last few years I have once again picked back up on that joy. I read before I go to sleep at night. In fact I feel lost if I don't have a book in process by my bed and if I know I'm headed to an appt, I absolutely take something along. I would rather read what I like than the magazine menagerie in the drs. office. What a great giveaway!
I love to read but usually wait until bedtime for some unwind time. Books always go with me on trips or places where I have some wait time. Right now I'm reading "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan". It's an historical novel that takes place in 1840's China. When I was a child my sister, friend, and I would walk to the library in the summer. One day we checked out books, went home and read them all and when we took them back the same day, the librarian lectured us on checking out books and not reading them. As 7 or 8 year olds, we were highly insulted! I look forward to a chance at winning Cindy's book--thanks, Suzanne!
I read ALL the time...before I go to sleep, waiting in the car, while "watching TV", relaxing where ever I find a relax. I've been an avid reader since ... probably dirt. My first book I can remember..."The Catnip Man". I share books with friends, belong to a book club and here's the real delight....both my daughter and son are readers like me. Harriet
Reading is SO important. When my boys go to bed at night they are allowed to stay up longer if they read a book before drifting off. Its so nice to sneak by the door and listen to the quiet of the pages turning.. and an occasional giggle from one of them. Or Big Son trying to explain somthing to Lispy and Lispy doesnt get it - then he yells at Big Son..wait this is turning south.. forget it. WE LOVE TO READ!!!
btw, my brother was known to read the back of shampoo bottles while using the toilet... sure it was my brother - honest... you doubt me???
Reading is probably my favorite pastime. The amount I read throughout the day depends on how good the book is. If its not a great book, I will keep reading (because I hate to give up when I've started a book) but I will only read it before bed. If its a good book, I take it everywhere. You never know when you will have to wait in line somewhere! I have been known to read in the car while waiting on a light to turn green. I do read before bed, often reading much too late and not getting enough sleep.
I love to read. As the mother of a newborn baby and 2 year old twins, I earned my graduate degree reading in the bathroom. I read after dinner dishes have been done, the kids homework has been completed, and everyone else is settled for the night. Right now I'm reading Best of Stillmeadow (got the itch for Gladys Taber from your blog - thank you). I read at lunch, in the morning, at conferences - I always have something to read. Thank you for such a wonderful devotion to reading.
Beth in PA
I read whenever I have a few moments - I start with several books on the floor, standing at the legs of my chair - open to my spot so I can pick them up and read a few lines now and then - or sit for a long time and really get immersed. I always have a book in the car - for long stoplights and waiting rooms - but before bed I have to read sitting up in the chair or I am instantly asleep. I can't even read three words while lying down or I'm out like a light.
funny, just before i came in to read 'you' today i packed up a few bags of books to take by the sr hall. i read to survive. to cry. to laugh. to learn. to be inspired. reading is my prozac. thank you mom and dad for giving me such good tools for life. dad-87-and i have our 'you & me' book club. i read everywhere and everything...but when in school i had a really hard time learning to read! go figure..
bv
I also love to read. Since it has gotten warmer, I like to sit outside the office at lunch time with a good book. I also read while waiting an extra hour after work to pick my daughter up from softball practice at school. Any extra time while waiting in the car is spent reading. Normally I do not read in bed, although I use to all the time. I guess as I get older I am ready for sleep when bedtime comes around! Currently I am reading "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult for the second time as it is coming to the theaters soon. I wanted to read it again before seeing the movie version. The book you are giving away sounds like a great read!
Suzanne, in all seriousness, YOU should write a book. You have shared so much with us here on your blog, perhaps it's time to take this piece of wonderful to the masses.
Reading, well when I start a book, I stop life. I love to read and growing up in disfunction it allowed me to escape my life for a time and be somewhere or someone else. We had a few of those Readers Digest condenced books, you know, the ones with several books per volume. I would read this same story over and over again.
This past year I have been in a more crafty frame of mind and so reading has been relegated to blogs. I did however just finish a good book, The Middle Place and really liked it. School ends this week so I fully intend to do some serious catching up, enter me in the conest.
Right now I'm reading Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon. For some reason I'm having trouble really getting into it, though there are a few parts I've really enjoyed. I don't know why that is--it seems like just the sort of thing I'd like to read. Maybe his "voice" is just different and I need to get used to it.
Yes, I always try to bring a book along when running errands or anywhere that I might be stuck waiting somewhere. I always regret it when I don't unless I'm at our dentist's office. He keeps the best magazines in his waiting room: National Geographic, Popular Photography, Kansas Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, and some others I like.
Cindy's essays and blog posts always reach straight for the heart with a clear honesty that we can all relate to. I always enjoy stopping her blog. My reading habits? I begin each day reading whatever book I'm currently on with my morning coffee, and definitely read before sleep!
I read everything I can get my hands on. This book sounds wonderful!
I read almost everything. Most of the time it's before bed. . . but lately that hasn't happened as hubby is waking me up to go to the bedroom to sleep. So lately it's been in the bath tub after the girls are in bed.
I never leave home without my book! Especially in the car line to pick up kids from school!
I'm always reading. Apparently it's passed on to my kids, because yesterday, my 6 year old took a 400 page treasury of nursery rythmes with him to the bathtub without my knowing and dropped it, of course. When asked what he was doing, he simply stated that he wanted to read while taking a bath.
I especially love to read informational stuff, I always like to be learning something new. I love classics: My friend Flicka, My Antonia, Gone with the Wind, Lonesome Dove...
Thanks for sharing lots of wonderful ideas on your blog!
I have recently started reading before bed instead of watching TV. I think it is more relaxing. I usually read at lunch time (I go to the cemetery because there are no parks near by. Is that wierd?) I recently participated in a book club bingo game and having a time limit to read a certain amount of books made me start carrying it everywhere. So now I can be caught reading anywhere there's a few spare minutes. Depending on the book. Team of Rivals was NOT a catch a few pages when you can kind of book!
I love to read. I read in bed or while watching TV or eating lunch. Steph_Oh
yep --most nights its your blog and a couple others, nice end to my day
I read almost every single night. Cookbooks count right?? LOL. I do read novels too, but I love to curl up with a good cookbook and read till I get sleepy.
Dear Suzanne,
I would rather read than do anything else in the whole world! I'm a reading addict; there, I've said it! There have been times in my life when I've had to give it up--go cold turkey-- in order to get anything accomplished.
And when I lay me down to sleep, I am literally surrounded by reading material! It has got to be the greatest adult pacifier!
Susan
P.S.Great fun on your blog!
Reading to me is as essential as eating and breathing. I have a book with me where ever I go. Any time I am eating alone, I read. I read myself to sleep. For quiet, alone time, I pick up a coffee or cold drink, drive to the park, pull out my book and read. This is great therapy!
I have always been a reader. I can never buy a little fashionable purse, because, where would I carry my book? I can only read biographies at night, otherwise, I am not able to stop in time to get a good night's sleep. At least with biographies, I usually know how it turns out!
Suzanne~ All Sisters Stand Up and Be Counted!
I keep the latest issue of Reader's Digest on my bedside table, cause I seldom even get to finish a complete piece before my eyes will NOT stay open.....and the bow on my eyeglasses is pinching my ear!
Hope I win!
I have to have a book or 2 to read at all times. I read a novel at bedtime. It is better than any sleeping pill i've found. I also need to have a book or handwork in the car to help me stay awake.
Cozy mysteries are my favorite passion now.
So many readers! It will warm the heart of every teacher. Thanks everyone for taking time out of your busy day to tell me about your reading habits. Those of you who landed here for the first time - please stick around because I need all the peeps I can get!
Stay tuned for the name of the winner - tomorrow!
- Suzanne
I love to read. My whole family does. I am one who makes your blog multigenerational (is that a word? spell check says no but i say yes.) I am 28 my kiddos are 8 and 5. I keep a book in my purse in my camera bag with all the lenses and filters and other toys just in case I get bored (has never actually happened except an almost when we did 10 hours at the park)I read blogs in the morning stories for the young one at nap and bedtime. The eldest reads at naptime and before bed and hubby and I read before bed as well. We call it eating books because we read anything any time and do it well and quickly. The eldest is top reader at her school and has just finished second grade. Her fav is the lemony snicket series.
Hi, I am very new to blogging and have been following yours and a few others. I just wanted to say I LOVE your blog. It is always a great way to end my days. I also LOVE to read. My husband says I need a new house to hold all my books. Thank you so much for your blog. God bless. LORI
I read morning and evening. Most of the time I have more than 1 book going. I'll read motivational, inspirational and creativity books in the morning before I start my day. Started doing this when the kids were young so I'd have an hour to myself. At night I'll read fiction, drama, mysteries - things that don't require a lot of thinking. Then of course, I read blogs on my breaks at work - like yours and others who inspire me to write something someone might want to read some day.
I'm a 55 yr old mom of an 11 yr old daughter...does that put me in the raising kids catagory or the "downside" of raising kids as we have four older kids ranging in age from 22 to 30? My body definitely is feeling the grandma side of things, I must say.
Hmmm..reading books or reading blogs? I love to do both. My husband and I both love books and seem to have passed that gene on to all five children. Thankfully. So much to gain from a love of reading. Am in the midst of trying to explain to the youngest that piano lessons will do the same for her in another dimension, but she's not buying it yet. I told her it would grow on her. Someday she'll know I'm right. Right?
I love science fiction (real science fiction...not all this fantasy stuff that is packed into the SF section of the bookstores these days) and anything about gardening. Henry Mitchell being my favorite gardening author. I've read his Washington Post collections over and over.
Anyhoo, thanks for hosting the giveaway. Happy reading! ~~Rhonda
I try to have a set time to read...which is when ever I can most of the time, but the regular schedule is right before I begin to get ready for bed. That is what I did when my girls were young ~ I'd read them to sleep, then my own mind would be ready to settle down.
It is a habit that has stood me in good stead for the past 26 years now ~ :)
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