Are you the 'main reader' in your house?

[Michelle]

When I was living at home with my mum, we both liked reading. That meant that we could share books, and then chat about them if they were any good.

My husband, however, has never read a book in his life (well, I suppose apart from school) - he always says he'll watch a film, but can't be bothered with the book! :roll:

So are you in a house full of readers, or are you the only one?

[The Wizard Of Oz]

I'm the only one in my household, I haven't really read seriously for several years, but slowly getting back into it now. :)

[Freewheeling Andy]

As the only one in a flat full of books, I suppose I must be,,,

[Debbie]

We both love books, but Catherine's eyes are not so good since she had IIH and so she can't read for so long now so I think I probably read more than her. Alwyn hardly ever reads a book, and if he does he reads those ones with loads of silly facts. He has a short attention span! :D

Deb

[Louise]

We all read but we all like different things.

Andy and I have swapped books on occassion but at the minute I think I read more than he does.

[Loricat]

I share a place with a few other folks, and I'm the only reader. But even I go through phases where I don't read very often. I'm sort of going through that right now.

I'd say on average, I read between 6 and 10 books a year. That's not a lot, but considering I don't even know any other readers offline, I feel like a book junkie in comparison to everyone else I associate with.

This year, I've been slacking. I've only read 4 books, and I couldn't even get all the way through one; and it was short!

[Maureen]

The only thing my other half bothers to read is the sports section of the Sunday paper. The rest is up to me!

[Andibody]

We both love books, but Catherine's eyes are not so good since she had IIH and so she can't read for so long now so I think I probably read more than her...... :D
Deb

Know that feeling. Used to be the major reader. Would almost inhale books. :coffee:
Now I spend days getting through chapters because my eyes and brain can't cope with things as they could a few years back. Drives me to distraction at times. :vmad:
Also do audio-books when IIH isn't too bad. Not as frustrating because I can just sit back and listen and it blocks all the other sounds out (not so taxing on the brain, as it doesn't have to filter other noise out).

Miss being able to just do it, y'know. :sadwalk:

[sf1818]

I am definitely the only reader. Most of the people that I come in contact with describe themselves as "visual learners". When I was in college I just read the books for my grades - teachers were all but useless. I just prefer to read! :D

[Acesare*]

As the 50+ members of my stuffed animal menagerie cannot read, I am the only reader in my ickle flat.

When I lived at home, it was my Dad and I who did all the reading and we have very similar tastes (I stole his Stephen King collection when I left home!). Neither of us can sleep without reading for at least an hour before bed. I'd hazard a guess that I read more than him now, because I deliberately get the bus to and from work rather than the tube, so I can spend an extra 2 hours reading a day.

Jo xx

[Maureen]

Hey Jo

What do you mean exactly by General dogs body?

[Acesare*]

General Dogs Body - I'm the manager of our Directorate's support team and as such, if nobody wants to deal with something, I get it. I get all the rubbish to deal with.

I love my job :badmood:

Jo xx

[Maureen]

Next time you have a bad day at work, think of this guy........

Rob is a commercial saturation diver for Global Divers in Mayo (IRELAND). He
performs underwater repairs on offshore drilling rigs. Below is an email he
sent to his sister. She then sent it to RnaG (Irish radio station) in Galway,
who was sponsoring a worst job experience contest. Needless to say, she won.



Hi Sue,



Just another note from your bottom-dwelling brother. Last week I had a bad day
at the office. I know you've been feeling down lately at work, so thought I
would share my dilemma with you to make you realize it's not so bad after all.

Before I can tell you what happened to me, I first must bore you with a few
technicalities of my job. As you know, my office lies at the bottom of the sea.
I wear a suit to the office. It's a wet suit. This time of year the water is
quite cool. So what we do to keep warm is this: We have a diesel powered
industrial water heater. This £20,000 piece of equipment sucks the water out of
the sea. It heats it to a delightful temperature. It then pumps it down to the
diver through a garden hose, which is taped to the air hose Now this sounds
like a darn good plan, and I've used it several times with no complaints.
What I do, when I get to the bottom and start working, is take the hose and
stuff it down the back of my wet suit. This floods my whole suit with warm
water. It's like working in a Jacuzzi. Everything was going well until all of
sudden, my butt started to itch. So, of course, I scratched it. This only made
things worse. Within a few seconds my butt started to burn. I pulled the hose
out from my back, but the damage was done. In agony I realized what had
happened. The hot water machine had sucked up a jellyfish and pumped it into my
suit. Now, since I don't have any hair on my back, the jellyfish couldn't stick
to it. However, the crack of my arse was not as fortunate. When I scratched
what I thought was an itch, I was actually grinding the jellyfish into the
crack of my arse . I informed the dive supervisor of my dilemma over the
communicator. His instructions were unclear due to the fact that he, along with
five other divers, were all laughing hysterically. Needless to say I aborted
the dive. I was instructed to make three agonizing in-water decompression stops
totalling thirty-five minutes before I could reach the surface to begin my
chamber dry decompression. When I arrived at the surface, I was wearing nothing
but my brass helmet. As I climbed out of the water, the medic, with tears of
laughter running down his face, handed me a tube of cream and told me to rub it
on my arse soon as I got in the chamber. The cream put the fire out, but I
couldn't poop for two days because my hole was swollen shut. So, next time
you're having a bad day at work, think about how much worse it would be if you
had a jellyfish shoved up your backside. Now repeat to yourself, "I love my
job, I love my job, I love my job."

[Freewheeling Andy]

Ouch!

[Andibody]

Yikes.

Bet the Jellyfish didn't think it was having the best day either. :mrgreen:

[lilheartq]

I am the main reader in my family but i got all 3 of my girls to read. We go to the library monthly and i sit with them and read every night.

[Debs]

Definately the main reader in my house, although DH reads a lot too. He just reads slower than I do, and has a bad habit of falling asleep as soon as he gets still enough to read! I generally go thru 3-5 books a month, at least, so I'm constantly looking for new things to read. My son, though, really enjoys it...He's read all 6 of the Harry Potter books all the way thru on his own, which is a pretty big achievement for a 10 yr old!

[Kell]

When I lived with my parents, there was both my mother & myself who weer heavily into bokos. She benig older & having her own money would buy most of the books, though I was able to read them too. As I got older, our tastes began to differ wildly - she likes Catherine Cookson, whereas I always hated those books, & I loved Terry Pratchett whereas she can't get her head round the fact that ther are no chapters. We both always loved a good horror though.

Now, there's just me & my hubby at home & he doesn't read at all. I try to encourage him (he expresed an interest in having the Lord of the Rings trilogy as he read them when he was a kid, but they've lain, untouched, ever since I brought them home - I don't like Tolkien, you see). Every other book in our flat is mine & there are literally thousands of them:

I have a six foot tall by four foot wide bookcase as well as a 4 foot high by 3 foot wide bookcase crammed with books. I also have 6 large boxes in my spare room cupboard. There aer also at least a dozen more boxes of a similar size in my dad's loft. To finish off, i have a small set of 3 shelves under my computer desk which houses my "to be read" books. All newly aquired boks get put here till I manage to read them, then they get moved to the other shelves.

It's a whole lotta reading, but someone's gotta do it - LOL!

[Maureen]

When I was living at home with my mum, we both liked reading. That meant that we could share books, and then chat about them if they were any good.

My husband, however, has never read a book in his life (well, I suppose apart from school) - he always says he'll watch a film, but can't be bothered with the book! :roll:

So are you in a house full of readers, or are you the only one?

I am the main reader here, but am trying to get my son into the habit. Does your other half/live in friend/family share your love of books?

[Angel]

Sounds like my husband!! He hardly ever looks at a book. But praise where it is due - it has taken him since Christmas to read Bigger than Hitler , Better than Christ

I am by far the main reader in this house, although my daughter is trying to take this title!

[Anonymous]

I'm the main reader!

Kez has never read in all the years we've been together.
I on the other hand am buying books left, right and centre!

Yay!

:reading:

[Inanna]

My husband loves reading, Terry Pratchett is his favourite author and he has read all of his books to date.
However I am the biggest reader, purely because what he reads in a year, I do in less than a month :mrgreen:

[Sassenach]

Paul and I spend the same amount of time reading - and read a lot of the same books - but I get through more books as I read faster.

[wiccibat]

My family were all avid readers, dad encouraged us from an early age. My husband didn't read much at first but he's more into it now. I was definitely the main reader but my daughter's overtaken me now!

[Tash]

I did manage to get my husband to read a couple of John Grisham books and he admitted they were 'ok' but I think he finds all fiction the work of the 'la la fairies'.

He prefers to read factual books, reference books, computer programming information books *yawns*

[Margo]

I never used to be as my sons were always reading, that was before they got a PC. I used to be amazed at how much they read and wished I had the enthusiasm too. Now I'm the main reader and loving it. :D
Also i got my 9 year old into reading and he can read books faster than me :thud:

[Nici76]

Yep I am the ONLY reader in the house. I have tried and tried to get Robbie to read but as most typical 12 year old boys, he is more interested in playing football or playing on his computer.

It also means that he doesn't really understand that when I am reading my book I would like to not be disturbed. :irked:

[George Stark]

None of my family reads nor my friends....i have a lack people to talk about books with.

[Nici76]

You have us now George! :mrgreen:

[ii]

You should sometimes keep popping up behind him when he's playing on computer, Nici, asking irritating questions and just "checking up" on him...

As for me, well, I live alone, so... *grin* But, to humor you all, I'll play with little hypotheticals... If I was living with BF I wouldn't be the only one reading, as BF enjoys it too, but I probably read more than he does. I'm pretty sure. If I lived with DD, I would read more, but simply because he doesn't have much time for reading. When I was living with the Old Dragon, she actually read more that I did, if we're excluding school books. But she doesn't read that much anymore, her eyes are getting old. (don't you dare tell her I said that, she'll have my head!) ... maman? she always read a lot. So she'd probably read more than me, even now. She always had an opinion of the latest books, she knew so many classics, she could quote you Voltaire...

[George Stark]

You have us now George! :mrgreen:

awww, thanks! I love talking about books, drives my friends crazy.

[ii]

drives my friends crazy.

Not here. In here it's prospero and me that drive everyone crazy.

[George Stark]

Haha, i do it on purpose now! Especaily when i start quoting good old William Shakespeare!

[ii]

I have a feeling you'll fit right in in here. Not because you quote good ol' William, but because you do it on purpose!

[George Stark]

Well the world is a bitter and twisted place. Ever the optimist hey! Only joking, it's just FUNNN!

[happyanddandy]

I am not the only reader in my house. Michael my husband reads most days - I would say he is a more serious reader of serious books.
My son Philip reads regularly, I couldn't believe he got through 'Mein Kampf' last year aged 14. He has read 'Lord of the Rings', and all of Harry Potter but his main love is Robert Muchamore's 'Cherub' series for which he is a mod on the Cherub Forum.
Daughter reads sporadically. 'Chav' series by Grace Dent being the current favourite.
Our bookshelves in all our rooms creak with the weight!

[George Stark]

I read 'Mein Kampf', really good read. not that i am a facist or anything.

[Esiotrot]

I am the main reader in our house, I read anything and everything - even backs of packets if I dont have a book to hand.
My OH is much more into TV but I convinced him to read his first book as an adult last year at the age of 33! He is dyslexic (I can believe I just struggled to spell that word!) and finds reading difficult but I am proud he finished the book - Cold Granite by Stuart Macbride. I sneaked another book into his bag before he went offshore this time but he hasnt started it yet.
I am actively encouraging my 4 year old daughters reading habit - I buy her books regularly and we usually go to the library every fortnight. Reading is so important for children.

[madcow]

I am the main reader in my house, but if Kat lived at home she'd give me a run for my money :mrgreen:, the only things hubby reads are classic car weekly, fishing reports and car manuals!, son occasionally reads and youngest tends to start books but not finish them. I keep trying to encourage her to read more but most times its like banging my head against a brick wall :lol:. We both joined the library a couple of years ago but she rarely comes with me now.

[Echo]

I am the main reader in my house, which only includes my boyfriend and me. He likes to read, he just hasn't had the time for it for a long time. Once school gets out, he usually wants to stay away from books for awhile.

I was also the main reader when I was growing up. My parents read for fun, but I would spend whole summers doing nothing but reading. My mom says I was born with a book in my hand. My brothers like to read a bit more now, and I got my older brother into Tolkien, and he reads biographies of jazz musicians and composers.

[Kylie]

I'm definitely the main reader. My parents aren't interested in reading books at all (despite my repeated urgings :lol:).

[Karen]

I'm the only real reader in my house too. My mum ocassionally goes through phases where she'll read the odd book here and there but it doesn't happen very often.

[Kell]

Well, at present I'm the only reader, but I'm determined that Tadpole will have a love of literature instilled from before birth. I'll be reading to my belly from about 20 weeks (which is only a few weeks away) as aparently, Tad will be able to hear things going on in the world outside at around that time. I have some wonderful books liked up to start Tad off (Winnie the Pooh, The Wind in the Willows, Alice in Wonderland and some Beatrix Potter books to name a few).

[ii]

Don't you dare leave out Le Petit Prince! *insert fake pout here* Also, once Tadpole is older, the Moomin books are good.

[Esiotrot]

Sorry slightly O/T

I bought my daughter the full set of Moomin books by Tove Jansson, would recommend them but def. for when your child is a bit older.
Kell - Would highly recommend Hairy Maclary by Linley Dodds and Dr Suess books - both are firm favourites in our house.
Kx

[ValenCina]

I am pretty much the only reader in my house.
My dad has never read anything except school books - I remember him buying a copy of Treasure island, he kept reading the first 20 pages over and over because he couldn't remember what he'd just read... :) My mum rarely reads, maybe 2 or 3 books in the summer, she keeps herself busy with her thousand other hobbies!

[Gyre]

Mr Gyre and I are the main readers (well it is just us plus the cats :lol:)

[Kell]

Don't you dare leave out Le Petit Prince! *insert fake pout here* Also, once Tadpole is older, the Moomin books are good.
I just read Le Petit Prince last year and thought it was lovely, so I'll have to remember that one for Taddy. And as for the Moomin books, I never read them myself, but I used to love the TV programme (the original proper one, that is) so I think they'll get a shoe-in!

Kell - Would highly recommend Hairy Maclary by Linley Dodds and Dr Suess books - both are firm favourites in our house.
Kx
Never heard of Hairy Maclary, so I'll have to look out for those. I'm ashamed to say that I've never liked the Dr Suess books though - can't stand them. :lurker:

[Karen]

My dad has never read anything except school books...
That's the same with my dad. He just doesn't get the whole reading for enjoyment thing at all and if he sees me buying new books or if he asks me what I want for my birthday or for Christmas and my reply is 'books' or 'book vouchers' he just sort of rolls his eyes at me.

[burghead lass]

I am the only one who reads in our house hubby is just not interested in books unless the have pics of fishing boats.

[happyanddandy]

I've never liked the Dr Suess books though - can't stand them. :lurker:


Not even 'There's a Wocket in my Pocket?' :lol:

[JudyB]

Or even Green Eggs and Ham?:lol:

[FishAndChips]

OH always has a book on the go and his TBR is growing (though it's not as big as mine yet) I may have influenced him a little in this, he has branched out to some new authors and genres recently (by his own desire, but because I am a bookworm I guess I've encouraged it) I also can't resist buying him books for birthday, Christmas, anniversary etc :)

[Janet]

Never heard of Hairy Maclary, so I'll have to look out for those. I'm ashamed to say that I've never liked the Dr Suess books though - can't stand them. :lurker:
You'll *love* the Hairy Maclary books, Kell! So will Taddy!

You should also look out for the 'Large family' books by Jill Murphy A Quiet Night In (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quiet-Night-Little-Favourites/dp/0744581710/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208787461&sr=8-1) was a firm favourite in our house.

ETA: I forgot to answer the question! :blush:

I do most of the reading in our house, but Mr B started reading for pleasure about 2 years ago - although he probably only reads 6 or 7 fiction books in the course of a year.

My daughter (aged 10) reads a little and goes in fits and starts, and my son (13) isn't interested in fiction at all (despite encouragement) but will read a motor magazine from cover to cover!

[happyanddandy]

You should also look out for the 'Large family' books by Jill Murphy A Quiet Night In (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quiet-Night-Little-Favourites/dp/0744581710/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208787461&sr=8-1) was a firm favourite in our house.




Oh I loved these!! :smile2:

[Kirstykat]

Both my husband and I are really into our books, but he is a faster reader than me and he also has an hour or so to travel each way on the tube to work so he gets more time to read. Our cat, Millie, also likes to curl up with me to read a good book. She also likes to lie on my husband when he reads in bed. I would say that Millie is the most prolific reader in the house and has the broadest taste in books!!:lol:

:angcat:

[Janet]

Both my husband and I are really into our books, but he is a faster reader than me and he also has an hour or so to travel each way on the tube to work so he gets more time to read. Our cat, Millie, also likes to curl up with me to read a good book. She also likes to lie on my husband when he reads in bed. I would say that Millie is the most prolific reader in the house and has the broadest taste in books!!:lol:

:angcat:
Hehe - would Millie care to recommend anything?!

[GoldenRosa]

All my family HATE reading. My dad says he likes reading but he mostly buys first editions and puts them on the shelves for visitors to see *rolls eyes* I hate that. I keep my books hidden away in a walk in wardrobe. I like to go in and choose a book with the door closed and the little light on :-)

[beef]

I am the main reader, both my parents read but not much, a few books a year maybe.

[ii]

All my family HATE reading. My dad says he likes reading but he mostly buys first editions and puts them on the shelves for visitors to see *rolls eyes*

hahaha, DD buys first editions to put on the show (the ones he wants and we don't already have and his dad collected them too) but then he gets the book in a "normal" modern edition too, and reads it. He just hates reading really old books. I, on the other hand, love it.

[ii]

Hehe - would Millie care to recommend anything?!

Maybe Of Mice and Men?

[Kirstykat]

Hi Janet!!

I have consulted with Millie and she highly recommends:

Nicholas Nickleby, by Charles Dickens,
Emma, by Jane Austin
Atonement by Ian McKewan
The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

O'h, and she thoroughly enjoyed 'London' and 'Sarum' by Edward Rutherford.

She also liked the Philippa Gregory books about Anne Boleyn and Henry:
'The Other Boleyn Girl'
'The Virgin's Lover'
'The Queen's Fool'
'The Constant Princess'
'The Boleyn Inheritance'

and she is waiting for the latest one in the series to come out this September (She has forgotten the title - she is in her dotage at nearly 14 human years, which is 77 in cat years...:lol:)

Millie would love to know if any of the above take your fancy?

Hugs 'n' Fishes from us all,

Kirsty!!
:angcat:

[kelly2008]

me and my mum both read a 2-3 a week and my OH reads one every couple of weeks :D

[Kell]

...and she is waiting for the latest one in the series to come out this September (She has forgotten the title - she is in her dotage at nearly 14 human years, which is 77 in cat years...:lol:)
That might be The Other Queen - it's about Mary Queen of Scots (I believe). I'm a big fan of Philippa Gregory myself, so I think Millie and I would get on great (even if she'd make me sneeze - LOL!).

[Janet]

Hi Janet!!

I have consulted with Millie and she highly recommends:

Nicholas Nickleby, by Charles Dickens,
Emma, by Jane Austin
Atonement by Ian McKewan
The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

O'h, and she thoroughly enjoyed 'London' and 'Sarum' by Edward Rutherford.

She also liked the Philippa Gregory books about Anne Boleyn and Henry:

Millie would love to know if any of the above take your fancy?
Thanks Millie

I have added Nicholas Nickleby to my Amazon Wishlist. I fancy trying some Dickens at some stage.

I'm afraid I gave up on Emma after about 50 pages last summer. Read Atonement years ago - and hated Catcher In The Rye (sorry!).

I haven't read any Philippa Gregory but might give one a whirl.

I think I have slightly different taste to Millie! :018:

[lovesreading06]

All my family read even my brother, I would proplary say my mum the big reader.

[GoldenRosa]

Maybe Of Mice and Men?

ooo I read this in year 10 for my prose cwk. I loved it but cried at the end. :-(

[Kirstykat]

Hello Again!!!

Millie and I had to try about 12 times (no joking!!) to get into Emma, but we were determined to read it and we are glad that we were not defeatist. We found from Chapter 4 or 5 onwards it rapidly picked up pace and wit etc.

But, it is horses for courses. How boring if we were all the same!! My husband hated Catcher in the Rye, too. I thought I would not like either, the way he went on and on about it:lol:, but I really enjoyed it.

Millie has asked for recommendations from you, if you purrrlease:lol:

[Janet]

I don't have a pussycat to consult (they make me sneeze and wheeze) and I asked Tish (the goldfish) but he could only recommend Bob (the builder, I presume), so I would have to go with:

Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Gentlemen and Players - Joanne Harris
My Family and Other Animals - Gerald Durrell

and a couple of newer ones

Mister Pip - Lloyd Jones
The Book Thief - Markus Zusac

I imagine you may have read some of these already though. :)

[Kirstykat]

Hi :)

Millie and I have 'The Book Thief', 'Rebecca' and 'My Family and Other Animals' as well as 'Catch me a Columbus' on our TBR List, so well done!!

I studied 'To Kill A Mockingbird' for GCSE and I absolutely loved that book. I want to read it again. The depth of the book, the message and the way it was written has always amazed me.

When I read Millie your email she did lick her lips at the mention of Tish :lol:

I have nearly earned 1 credit for finishing my 3rd book from my Mount TBR. ( Wooooo-Hoooooooo):readingtwo:

:011:

I don't have a pussycat to consult (they make me sneeze and wheeze) and I asked Tish (the goldfish) but he could only recommend Bob (the builder, I presume), so I would have to go with:

Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Gentlemen and Players - Joanne Harris
My Family and Other Animals - Gerald Durrell

and a couple of newer ones

Mister Pip - Lloyd Jones
The Book Thief - Markus Zusac

I imagine you may have read some of these already though. :)

[Icecream]

It is good to see your pets enjoy reading;):)

I was going to say that I am the biggest reader in our house, but Katie gets through a fair few books a day. She must look through at least five a day properly. Millie is a big reader for her age too.

The only books my children could recommend though are for babies, although I did catch Katie looking through The Vampire's Secret, and the three of us read the bible together each morning too.

[Kirstykat]

Millie is the most literate feline I know - even beating Samuel Johnsons' cat (in my humble opinion!) She will read with me tonight after having been out all day sunning herself whilst I am at work!! Funnily enough, Millie always knows when I am reading The Bible. She comes right up to it and purrs ( I am not joking). Once she was so happy, she dribbled on it, but I couldn't get cross with her as it was an accident and she is getting on a bit. She always rubs the hard cover of my Bible, but never ever does that to any other hard cover book I have. A very clever, well read and learned cat indeed!!

:angcat:

[angelofboox]

I'm probably the biggest reader in my house, but my mother and sister enjoy reading too. Unfortunately, in recent years, my sister has swapped reading for partying and drinking - but she does still read when she can and enjoys doing English Literature. My mother is a school librarian, meaning her job revolves around reading children's books...so our house is full of them (much to our delight).

My dad prefers non-fiction, and doesn't read very much. The odd biography, auto-biography, or philosophical commentary.

Unfortunately I have no pets to consult on my choice of reading material.

[Tinymoz]

I too have a non reading husband :roll:

My parents both read, lots! My 3 1/2 year old adores his books, long may that continue. I can't wait until he's old enough to enjoy some of the really good kids books :readingtwo:

[jenmck]

I read the most in my family. The only person who ever had me beat in the "well read" department was my father. Once he passed away, I didn't have anyone to talk books with as much.
My husband does read but he doesn't have enough time.
The difference is my husband REMEMBERS everything he reads. I don't. I have a lousy memory for names and details.
It's nice though because I can reread stuff again and again. :D