Hearing Them Read #libraries Week

The #Blogtober18 prompt today is all about reading and libraries. Something we as a family truly enjoy. So I’m going to take this opportunity to tell you about the books we enjoy. I do still listen to my younger two read, but mostly they are independent readers and like to read themselves. 

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Our Library

If you take a look up in my header there is a link to my page of book reviews that we have done as a family on this blog. But first let me tell you a little about our love of books. At the age of about six, I decided I wanted to be a librarian. I would loan out my books to my friends and write out little tickets just like they did in the library back then. Computers were not used, there were drawers with all the tickets in alphabetical order, it was a complex but well organised system.

I didn’t realise my dream until I was in my 30s and looking for  a job near home when I was a single parent of two. The local library had a pool where you could work when they were short staffed so I put my name down. I got trained in what to do and waited for the call to work. Then they had a part time temporary job coming up and asked me if I’d like to do it. I jumped at it and loved working there. The six month contract extended 3 times so I was there nearly two years before the permanent job was offered to someone else. Yes, I did apply for the job I’d been doing for nearly two years but they decided that some young girl with no experience had given a better interview. I left bitterly.

But, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because just a few months later I landed a fabulous job in a Music library at the local university. I loved every minute I worked there. 

Books, books  and books

Let’s start with graphic books, some would say they were like comics but they are often much more artistic and people read them for the art. My older children were ‘into’ Manga from their early teens and still buy them regularly. Now Star is enjoying them too. I was introduced to the wonderful Terry Pratchett by a graphic novel, but if I’m honest, I prefer just reading because the graphics slow down the story and I’m too impatient.

When I worked in the public library, if you wanted an audio book you had to loan a box full of cassettes. (Yes, I’m THAT old!) But now I can listen to books on my phone, or kindle and I love them! 

The Little Man still loves his Picture books even though he’s getting a little old for them now. I have to admit though,  I love reading them with him, especially rhyming books like Julia Donaldson. We even have some favourite picture books from when my older kids were young, on of Which is Mama, Papa and Baby Joe. I never tire of the weird and wonderful things you can find in the illustrations of this book. Some of the used copies on Amazon go for a huge price, my copy is over 20 years old but I couldn’t bear to part with it. 

What we are Reading Now

Star loves her Warrior Cats and she has already completed two series. I remember reading the first book with her and it’s an amazing series all based around feral cats and how they survive. 

Boo is also reading Warrior Cats but she is also a fan of Michael Morpurgo, and loves The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips

The Little Man has recently read Kid Normal with me as part of his reading at home and we both enjoyed it. If I was to pick one of his favourite picture books though it would have to be Mr Big.

I’ve been getting through tons of books myself lately, most of which you can read in the ‘Our Library’ link above. One of my favourites lately though has been Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone else is reading over on the #Blogtober18 linky.