Readicide by Kelly Gallagher

So, I've been doing a lot of reading lately... and a lot of very good reading, but unfortunately I've been doing so much reading that I haven't had much time to write about it (and since I seriously doubt that anyone actually reads this as a way to find good books I can't really justify spending much time updating this). That being said... I just finished a book that changed my life... seriously. Readicide by Kelly Gallagher should be required reading for anyone dealing with children and teenagers and education. As a college student planning on being a school librarian, I found many things in there to help me help teachers cultivate more avid readers.

At the same time that it made me think about the future and store away this knowledge, it also made me think about my reading habits right now. In the last 5 weeks I've read approximately 5,000 pages. While I love everything I've been reading, I don't have time to do anything but read. I spend every minute when I can't be reading thinking about how I'm going to squeeze in a few more minutes of reading so that maybe, just maybe, I can get ahead. Because of this, I rarely remember the details of what I read. When it comes to class discussions, I contribute a lot less than I have in the past. I don't even have the time I need to write the papers I will ultimately be graded on.

This book made me realize that there are some fundamentally simple things I could do to increase my reading comprehension. 1)Take notes in the text. Underline or highlight passages that move me. Stick flags next to these passages so that in class when we're talking about things I can point to specific instances instead of just talking about generalities. 2) Read slow enough to think about what I'm reading or take a few minutes at the end of a chapter or reading section to stop and think about what I've read instead of just rushing off to the next assignment. In these two things, any type of reading experience can be improved--scripture study, reading a text book, reading a newspaper. Any type of reading you do will be improved by thinking it through and working at it.

Often in psychology you are required to look back at your life to identify what has led you to act/feel/behave the way you currently do. If you are one of the countless human beings who does not classify himself as a reader, you should read this book. Think about whether or not the problems Gallagher defines are what has turned you off to reading. And then take a step towards becoming a reader and an informed citizen. Read a book. Read a newspaper or a blog. It doesn't matter what you read, just read something--and then tomorrow read a little more.

P.S. In case you're wondering what other books I've been reading lately I'll give you a quick list of the must reads: The March, Plot Against America, The Book Thief, Chalice, Deerskin, and Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry.