Tuesday, December 18, 2007

READING FOR LIFE



In our Sunday paper, there is an insert magazine called PARADE. This past Sunday they had an interview of sorts with author James Patterson.

Here is the opening to the article:
“The best-selling novelist James Patterson has written 44 books, which have sold an estimated 130 million copies worldwide. He’s also the first author to have his books occupy the No. 1 spots on both the adult and children’s best-seller lists at the same time. PARADE asked Patterson what present he’d most like to give his son this holiday season. Here’s his reply--in a letter to 9-year-old Jack.”



Here are a few excerpts from the article:
“I have something grand to tell you--not dreaded advice or a boring lecture, just something cool as ice that I want to share. It’s a gift from your old dad--maybe the best one I’ll ever give you.

. . .

“Jack, I want you to become a passionate reader for life, and not because you have to or because it might make you more successful or get you into Harvard or Stanford. I’m talking about real passion here, like the way you currently go crazy over The Simpsons and The Incredibles.

. . .

“A great French writer named Gustave Flaubert once said, ‘It is a delicious thing to write, to be no longer yourself but to move in an entire universe of your own creating. Today, for instance . . . I rode in a forest on an autumn afternoon under the yellow leaves, and I was also the horses, the wind, the words my people uttered.’ Jack, that’s how I feel when I write, and it’s also how you’ll feel when you read a great book. It’s truly one of the best things in life!

. . .


“I believe that getting you to read is my responsibility, my job. In fact, it’s the responsibility of all parents, grandparents and teachers. That’s why I’m doing my homework now and searching for some terrific books that I know you’ll love.”

This article in its entirety is found in PARADE magazine, December 16, 2007 issue, pages 22-24. I’m not sure what else they may have at their website www.parade.com; however, they end the article with a blurb about sharing your own favorite books for kids.

Please come join our Day to Read:
If you would like to add your two cents to this Day to Read, January 10, 2008, please send to SMID or a2eatwrite for the button--display, and talk it up!

7 comments:

Sai Hijara - Ferraris said...

"It is a delicious thing to write, to be no longer yourself but to move in an entire universe of your own creating."...very true!

Interesting post...

Goofball said...

I am reading!!! I am reading! and will be reading on Jan 10.

Jan said...

Well, you know how I feel about reading and James Patterson is one of my favorite authors. thanks for this post, I'll look at it tomorrow at school.

Jan

suchsimplepleasures said...

i love james patterson! he and nelson demille are my favorite authors!
and...i read...a lot. and write stories...a lot!
have a wonderful, awesome, terrific holiday!!!

anno said...

I'll be reading along with you on the 10th! Reading is just about my favorite thing in the world (maybe tied with smoked salmon & champagne), and about the saddest moment in my entire Mommy career was when my daughter started taking the books out of my hand and saying, "I think I want to read this myself."

Jen said...

I love those excerpts. And reading is a great treasure. Lovely post!

Jenn in Holland said...

Of course, I too will be reading right up to the 10th and reading with enthusiasm as part of the day itself.
This was a wonderful set of quotes! Hooray reading!