ROTW Special: Reader Tips #2
Once in a while in my Reader of the Week slot I like to take a bit of a ‘pit stop’ and revisit some of the readers that I’ve had the pleasure of featuring on RobAroundBooks. I did this once before back in December, when I featured my first fifteen readers, and this week is going to be another one of these ‘pit stop’ weeks, where I take you back to the nine amazing readers I’ve featured since that date.
The format is exactly the same. Aside from linking back to their original features, I reprint the answers to one of the most important questions I asked them – What single piece of advice (or tip) would you give to fellow readers?
Reader #16: Darren Owens (featured December 15 2008) – I’d never presume to do such a thing.
Reader #17: Katy Burdock (featured December 22 2008) – Don’t just read the mainstream books authors churn out every month, as sometimes these people are more interested in the money than their passion for writing.
Reader #18: Ann Kingman (featured May 11 2009) – Find a few key reliable sources for recommendations, whether it be friends, booksellers, book blogs — and then delight in the discovery.
Reader #19: Michael Kindness (featured May 18 2009) – If you’re not enjoying a book, DON’T FINISH IT! There are far too many wonderful books out there to slog through something you don’t like.
Reader #20: Rick Seifert (featured May 25 2009) – Take your choice: Support independent bookstores. Reread. Make references to books in conversations and in e-mail. Note that good reading, like good writing, encourages good thinking. Read to children.
Reader #21: Stewart McAbney (featured June 01 2009) – Don’t stick to comfort zones when choosing your next book. Doing so perpetuates an interest in the same old stuff. Take a risk on something you’ve never heard of or something you’d never consider reading. There’s a world of books out there, so get out and see the world.
Reader #22: Rob Redman (featured June 08 2009) – Stretch yourself, don’t neglect the classics, and at least dabble in the genres to see what they have to offer. There are a lot of surprises out there.
Reader #23: Marcia Jarnell aka Lizzy Siddal (featured June 15 2009) – Remember the bookworm’s Wonkaism: “So many books, so little time ….”, so don’t waste it and abandon books you’re not enjoying. Reading is an individual pleasure and for every book that’s not connecting with you, there are hundreds more that will. Go find them!
Reader #24: Francis Evangelista (featured June 22 2009) – Share your love of reading in every way you can. Volunteer with an adult literacy initiative or tutor at an under-served school. Give books away randomly to people that might like them. And not just your best friend. Give some books away to people you don’t even care for like that woman at work that told you what a flake you are (and that still means a GOOD book not some bodice ripper piece of something that you hope might offend her). And don’t forget to support your local public library. Circulations in a tight economy are at highly elevated levels, but at the same time, library budgets are being slashed everywhere. Chances are a local librarian will think you a super hero for a few hours of shelving or processing holds. We are or will become what we read so advocate for best possible outcomes.
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About Rob
Rob, a self-confessed bibliophile, is without any hope of rehabilitation. He gets unnaturally excited over anything book-shaped, and if book sniffing were a crime then he would have been locked up years ago (which wouldn't bother him in the slightest provided his cell were lined with books)
