“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong.”
— F. Scott Fitzgerald
Starting in 1998, the initiative National Read Across America, was formed to encourage reading amongst children and youth. In concurrent celebration of the birthday of Dr. Seuss, this day is observed to foster literacy and inspire children to read wherever they are.
There are many ways you and children of all ages can participate. Activities can be found on the National Calendar Website.
One of the ways you can improve literacy for children and help them get excited about books early on in life is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. You can register on the website.
Here are a few of my favorite ways I acquire books to read and share, as well as some fun reads for children that I’ve enjoyed over the past few years.
Little Free Libraries
Instantly catching my eye when driving around, I’m drawn to looking through the shelves, these roadside havens of book exchange. In a funny way, tells a lot about the demographic of the neighborhood.
Founded in 2009, these little neighborhood collections of books are fun to stumble upon.
Check out the Little Free Libraries website to find one near you.
Road Trip!
One of best ways to enjoy a road trip is with your best friends and a good audiobook.
I love listening along and always have one ready to go for spur of the moment adventures or even short destinations where I can read a chapter or two while en route to the market.
I purchase audiobooks through Libro.fm because it encourages more people to read while supporting local, independent bookstores (you can choose which one to delegate proceeds to).
Use the code CHOOSEINDIE and get a FREE book!
Book Clubs & Independent Bookstores
It’s always a joy to find book treasures at local, independent bookstores. The Poisoned Pen Bookstore is one place where I find many of my author favorites as well as an introduction to new reads from the book clubs I participate in.
You can browse through their collection including special and signed copies, find bookseller recommendations, author events, and join or gift a book club membership on their website. They ship internationally and are able to source your favorite covers from the UK.
Here are a few the spring reads I have in line.
And yes, still making my way through Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. She’s got quite the story tell!
Children’s Books
Here are a few fabulous books I’ve read in the past couple years.
