Reading for Pleasure

As a literacy interventionist I know the importance of getting our students to enjoy reading and to read on their own time but I personally have a hard time with this. Growing up I had a hard time getting into books but once I did I loved everything I read. My main problem was knowing what to read. I didn't have a teacher to suggest to me different authors or genres so I only read what was assigned.

I still have the same problem today, I have to be in the right "mood" in order to read. If not I am easily distracted and lose interest. If I can get in the right mindset I can sit and read the entire day. I will stay up late, postpone dinner, and read in the car just to finish the next chapter but this only seems to happen every few months. 

A few years ago, when I first started dating my fiance I read a lot. This was because he constantly played video games so my choice was to read or to watch him play. I enjoyed it, I would read and then we would discuss what I read. He would ask questions and be generally interested. I don't read as much anymore because while he plays video games I can now go into the other room and watch my own television show.  

This reflection has made me realize how much I actually miss reading for pleasure. I enjoyed the books, and I enjoyed the discussion with my fiance. The time we spent talking brought us closer together and made us talk about topics we otherwise wouldn't have. 

Since I have started working on my masters I am constantly reading my text books but I am going to set out time each weekend to read a book of my choosing. I have a box of books waiting to be read and a book out next to the couch calling my name.