I am one of those people who always has something to read. My tote bag is currently bursting with an old Kindle Fire, two magazines, one television script and a copy of The Secret History by Donna Tart, which I’m re-reading for the third time. I read because I am a writer (it’s part of our job) and I write because I am a reader (it’s part of our personality).
Often my reading serves a real purpose beyond just pleasure. Long gone are the days when I’m scanning a book for a school homework assignment, and yet I now read as part of my own personal “homework” – even though I’m usually doing it at a cafe. Here – in no particular order - are the Top 10 Reasons that I sit down to enjoy the written word.
10. I read to support a friend
My work community is filled with writers of all kinds so I’m frequently reading to show a colleague some support. Sometimes I take a picture of myself reading their work and share on social media for an extra push. My current favorite friend book is the YA novel Dreamology by the incredibly talented Lucy Keating.
9. I read for research
My own writing projects often rely on facts and figures from the past and present. I read to steep myself in a certain time-period that I’m writing about or gain insight into a real-life character that I’m turning into historical fiction.
8. I read for inspiration
Sometimes it’s not just facts that help me prepare to write something of my own but ideas that inspire my focus or creativity. I recently read an amazing book called Daily Rituals by Mason Currey about how different writers, painters, musicians and other creators spend their days creating. It made me think about my own daily schedule in a totally different way and inspired me to write a blog post!
7. I read (my own work) to edit
Yes sometimes all I’m reading all day long is my own writing! I’m reading and re-reading so I can adjust story, enhance characters and catch typos. One amazing trick I’ve learned to help with the editing process is to go through each piece of work backwards. I start at the very end of my essay or book chapter and read paragraph by paragraph in reverse so my mind doesn’t complete the sentences before my eyes can see the typos. Here are more tips on reading for editing via a great website called Grammerly.
6. I read to emulate
I didn’t know much about how to write a YA novel before I started working on my very first book proposal so I read as many YA novels as I could find. This helped me understand what works and doesn’t in a great YA manuscript. It also taught me what styles I loved enough to include in my own work.
5. I read (my own work) to feel confident
When I feel stuck with a new project I often read something old to remind myself that I can get it done! It seems silly to say that my own writing inspires me, but when I’m proud of work I’ve done in the past it makes me excited and motivated to make more work I can be proud of in the future.
4. I read to keep up with current events
Every Sunday morning my husband and I get the New York Times delivered to our apartment, and I sit with it and a giant cup of coffee so I can catch up on what’s going on in the world. I wish I did a better job of keeping up with day-to-day news, but the weekly ritual is my way of being informed.
3. I read because of someone’s recommendation
I love getting e-mails from friends or family members with a link to a great article or recommendation for an interesting book. I trust these people’s opinions and enjoy stepping outside my own taste to enjoy a new idea, writer or genre.
2. I read because it helps my vocabulary
Mrs. Lokitz – my 6th grade Language Arts teacher – told me that the best writers read because it makes their vocabulary interesting and strong. I now know that’s true because the more books I read by diverse authors, the more I find myself remembering new and interesting ways to describe things based on their words. A recent favorite example is All The Light We Cannot See, which is a beautiful book about World War II.
1. I read to relax and enjoy!
Is there anything more delightful than sitting under a shady umbrella beside water of some kind (pool? Ocean? Lake?) with a glass of iced tea and an amazing book? I say, no. I love to read because it transports me outside my life and into a place I get to paint with my own mind. What an incredible accomplishment for simple letters on a simple white page…
Often my reading serves a real purpose beyond just pleasure. Long gone are the days when I’m scanning a book for a school homework assignment, and yet I now read as part of my own personal “homework” – even though I’m usually doing it at a cafe. Here – in no particular order - are the Top 10 Reasons that I sit down to enjoy the written word.
10. I read to support a friend
My work community is filled with writers of all kinds so I’m frequently reading to show a colleague some support. Sometimes I take a picture of myself reading their work and share on social media for an extra push. My current favorite friend book is the YA novel Dreamology by the incredibly talented Lucy Keating.
9. I read for research
My own writing projects often rely on facts and figures from the past and present. I read to steep myself in a certain time-period that I’m writing about or gain insight into a real-life character that I’m turning into historical fiction.
8. I read for inspiration
Sometimes it’s not just facts that help me prepare to write something of my own but ideas that inspire my focus or creativity. I recently read an amazing book called Daily Rituals by Mason Currey about how different writers, painters, musicians and other creators spend their days creating. It made me think about my own daily schedule in a totally different way and inspired me to write a blog post!
7. I read (my own work) to edit
Yes sometimes all I’m reading all day long is my own writing! I’m reading and re-reading so I can adjust story, enhance characters and catch typos. One amazing trick I’ve learned to help with the editing process is to go through each piece of work backwards. I start at the very end of my essay or book chapter and read paragraph by paragraph in reverse so my mind doesn’t complete the sentences before my eyes can see the typos. Here are more tips on reading for editing via a great website called Grammerly.
6. I read to emulate
I didn’t know much about how to write a YA novel before I started working on my very first book proposal so I read as many YA novels as I could find. This helped me understand what works and doesn’t in a great YA manuscript. It also taught me what styles I loved enough to include in my own work.
5. I read (my own work) to feel confident
When I feel stuck with a new project I often read something old to remind myself that I can get it done! It seems silly to say that my own writing inspires me, but when I’m proud of work I’ve done in the past it makes me excited and motivated to make more work I can be proud of in the future.
4. I read to keep up with current events
Every Sunday morning my husband and I get the New York Times delivered to our apartment, and I sit with it and a giant cup of coffee so I can catch up on what’s going on in the world. I wish I did a better job of keeping up with day-to-day news, but the weekly ritual is my way of being informed.
3. I read because of someone’s recommendation
I love getting e-mails from friends or family members with a link to a great article or recommendation for an interesting book. I trust these people’s opinions and enjoy stepping outside my own taste to enjoy a new idea, writer or genre.
2. I read because it helps my vocabulary
Mrs. Lokitz – my 6th grade Language Arts teacher – told me that the best writers read because it makes their vocabulary interesting and strong. I now know that’s true because the more books I read by diverse authors, the more I find myself remembering new and interesting ways to describe things based on their words. A recent favorite example is All The Light We Cannot See, which is a beautiful book about World War II.
1. I read to relax and enjoy!
Is there anything more delightful than sitting under a shady umbrella beside water of some kind (pool? Ocean? Lake?) with a glass of iced tea and an amazing book? I say, no. I love to read because it transports me outside my life and into a place I get to paint with my own mind. What an incredible accomplishment for simple letters on a simple white page…
Jessie Rosen is a published author who recently spoke to the 7th and 8th grade ELA classes. Don't forget to check out her new YA novel!