There are several answers to that question. I could turn that around and ask why don’t people like to read, but that doesn’t really answer the question, does it?
I like to read because I like to go on adventures without paying to actually GO on adventures. If I want to visit a castle in England, I can pick up a Harry Potter book to instantly be there. If I want to see a future world, I can check out Hunger Games or 1984 for a sneak peek. If I want to see people struggle to survive a zombie apocalypse, I can.
I can learn so much from reading a book. I often learn about how to deal with certain relationships or how to handle unusual circumstances. I learn about what life was like before WWI or during the Holocaust. I can learn about Abraham Lincoln’s childhood or how to ease my pain after I’ve broken a bone. I can learn about places to visit when I prepare to travel to another state.
Sometimes I read to escape from everyday life. It’s more fun to try to solve a mystery than it is to pay bills. I’d rather cheer on that dog searching to find a home than do the laundry. I know you’re thinking that I could just watch a movie or television series. But then I don’t use my imagination! I’m keeping my brain active while I’m reading.
How do I choose which book to read? I am on Goodreads. They have a lot of suggestions. Some of my friends are readers. I get recommendations from them. Nowadays I can sometimes judge a book by its cover. I have certain authors I enjoy, so when they write new books, I get them. I like some genres over others, so I gravitate to those. That’s generally what I ask someone when they want a book recommendation. If you like sports, you probably don’t want to read a romance!
Are you convinced? Do you want to find a good book to read? Stop by and we’ll help you out. Don’t worry if it’s not a quick conversation. I’ve read a lot of books!

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This is new for all of us at NJ-SP. As one of my students said after we found out school would be closed for a while, “We are making history.” Your children will learn about 2020 when they sit in their history class. What do you want them to learn? Do you want them to focus on people panicking or ignoring the government’s instructions? Or do you want them to learn that social distancing helped save many lives?
Like you, I’m sad that circumstances are different. I pray that we’ll be able to return to school in April. Until then, take time to acknowledge your sorrow and then move forward. Make the most of your time at home working to the best of your ability. Maybe you need to bring your grades up a bit. Now is the time! Maybe you haven’t been able to catch up on that popular show everyone has been talking about. Now is the time! You miss reading books like you used to. Now is the time! Take walks or ride your bike. Step outside and check out the coming spring. Don’t waste your time or put your life, or the lives of your loved ones, at risk.
While you’re doing your best, also take time to find the good and fun still out there. We’re still going to vote for the book that made the best movie in our version of March Madness. Here’s a link here to fill out a google form to vote for the Final Four. Next week we’ll vote for the Top 2 and after spring break, we’ll get to the Number 1 book. I’ll have some activities on the main library page if you are bored. I hope they’re fun! And let me know in the comments what good you’ve done or seen or something funny you found while we’ve been apart! My first one is below.