Up until about 20 minutes ago I had no idea what I was going to blog about today. In fact about an hour ago I said I probably blog tonight. I'm tired and worn out, and would be blogging for blogging-sake which is not the intended goal.
And then 20 minutes ago, my sister asked me to tuck her in and read her the first chapter of her book. So I curled up on the foot of my guest bed and read her the first chapter of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. It was fun. It's been so long since I've read anything aloud like that. Reading to kids while they're squirming on your lap is different. Those books are written to be read aloud. As I stumbled through Dash's chapter, I realized how much of his language, and timing, and cadence were not meant to be spoken. And boy did I stumble over some of those large words. You know the ones you know what they mean because you've seen them in context so many times, but damned if you've ever used them in real life? Yeah, this first chapter is rife with those.
Even though it felt awkward at first, I soon found a rhythm. And I was back, cuddled up on the old couch in our front room at home. Reading Goosebumps aloud to Manda who'd giggle and shudder at all the scary parts. We used to love to sit out there and read them. I wouldn't read them alone because they gave me the creeps, but reading them to Manda felt different. Like we were in it together.
I didn't try to pull off any voices like my dad used to. He'd always read each character with a different voice. We particularly loved to make him read the Magic Attic Club books which featured 5 different little girls. Those were always the books that Daddy had to read. :)
There really is something about listening to a book aloud. I love audiobooks, but it's different to be on the other end. To have to read ahead a little to know how to play a line, or when you'll have time for a breath. Why don't we read aloud when we're adults? I spent one evening reading short stories aloud with Amy from an anthology we bought. We took turns working our way through the short stories of our favorite authors. I think it was probably the wine earlier in the evening that started the venture, but I think it was the enjoyment of having and being a live audience that kept us going that night.
I don't know that I'll start reading aloud to myself, but I'm really glad Manda asked me to read her that chapter tonight. It made me remember how much I love doing that.
And then 20 minutes ago, my sister asked me to tuck her in and read her the first chapter of her book. So I curled up on the foot of my guest bed and read her the first chapter of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. It was fun. It's been so long since I've read anything aloud like that. Reading to kids while they're squirming on your lap is different. Those books are written to be read aloud. As I stumbled through Dash's chapter, I realized how much of his language, and timing, and cadence were not meant to be spoken. And boy did I stumble over some of those large words. You know the ones you know what they mean because you've seen them in context so many times, but damned if you've ever used them in real life? Yeah, this first chapter is rife with those.
Even though it felt awkward at first, I soon found a rhythm. And I was back, cuddled up on the old couch in our front room at home. Reading Goosebumps aloud to Manda who'd giggle and shudder at all the scary parts. We used to love to sit out there and read them. I wouldn't read them alone because they gave me the creeps, but reading them to Manda felt different. Like we were in it together.
I didn't try to pull off any voices like my dad used to. He'd always read each character with a different voice. We particularly loved to make him read the Magic Attic Club books which featured 5 different little girls. Those were always the books that Daddy had to read. :)
There really is something about listening to a book aloud. I love audiobooks, but it's different to be on the other end. To have to read ahead a little to know how to play a line, or when you'll have time for a breath. Why don't we read aloud when we're adults? I spent one evening reading short stories aloud with Amy from an anthology we bought. We took turns working our way through the short stories of our favorite authors. I think it was probably the wine earlier in the evening that started the venture, but I think it was the enjoyment of having and being a live audience that kept us going that night.
I don't know that I'll start reading aloud to myself, but I'm really glad Manda asked me to read her that chapter tonight. It made me remember how much I love doing that.
Aw! Yay! It was fun for me too. Thanks!
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