“I don’t read books. Never…none at all.”

 

I just read an interview with a celebrity- one who shall remain nameless-and he said the above.  I was really surprised for one thing hes a rapper and well respected for his ability to incorporate a lot of widely varying topics into his verses. You would think that he was well-read, that he went through life with his eyes, mind and heart fully open. Especially being a rapper since with rap it really is all about the lyrics. Thats what elevates a rapper above the norm- those boring lyricists who rhyme “muthaf**cka” with everything and usually just to make the line scan. Wouldnt he as an artist who wants to grow and evolve, hone his skills by reading everything thats out there whether it be fantasy, current affairs or autobiography? And at the same time he can still surf the web and watch reality TV so he can drop those all-important cultural references into his lyrics, but he can also explore and discover and blow some kids mind with the depth of his knowledge.  And I know plenty of other people, mostly kids above the age of 13, who dont read or stop after years of enjoying books. “I only read magazines.” Ive heard that once or twice.

I try not to take it personally. Not as a writer- my readers age group  (9-12) is still enthusiastic about reading,  but because books and stories have been such an important thing in my life ever since I learned to string ‘d together with ‘o and ‘g. Granted I was a particularly awkward child, a loner who didnt like people much and preferred the company of animals. I still remember the first time I read “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, or “The Hobbit” or more recently “The Golden Compass.” How a well-written book just immerses you into a world with all your senses alive and tingling. I am not as good a writer as C.S. Lewis or Tolkien or Phillip Pullman, but I may be some day if I keep on soaking up as much of everything around me as I can. This includes reading to keep my skills sharp, and to discover new approaches to writing; leading workshops for kids to learn something new and fresh; looking at art; spending time with my five-year old and 5 month old and getting a different perspective; going to art galleries; traveling; and listening to music of all kinds including Kanye West. Whatever will keep my eyes open and my brain working.

I tell my workshop kids- read anything and everything. If you hate the book, put it down and get another. Right now on my nightstand table- I do a lot of reading in bed- I have four contemporary childrens books (Ellen Potter and Rick Riordan), two classics (Susan Cooper and Alan Garner), a book on American crows, a book on gemstones and jewelry, a mystery (Alison Gaylin), the Penguin dictionary of superstition, and the encyclopedia of Faeries.

What are you reading?

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