As a high school English teacher I believe one of my primary functions is to be a reading cheerleader. Yes, I have other classroom jobs, but the thing I am most passionate about is trying to turn my students on to the pleasures of reading (and writing). I often feel that we approach reading all wrong in the classroom. We read one book, dissect it, give students tests that ask them to recall stupid details and then get them to write an essay – often five paragraphs (don’t even get me started on that!) Where is the pleasure, the joy, then?

If a student is already an avid reader, they are probably more willing to tackle some of the decidedly dry texts found on the curriculum – which, I am shocked to report, are the SAME books I read in high school over 30 years ago! Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t read books together and talk and write about them, but I’m not sure that if that’s the only reading students do they are going to walk out of high school with a passion for reading.

This is something I think about every day. I work hard to talk about books, read out loud to my students, give them chunks of time to read for pleasure – without any strings attached – and put books directly in their hands. Today in class we’re going to do ‘Book Speed Dating.” Sell your book in 90 seconds. I dunno, maybe it won’t work – but it will be fun to try.

Here are Seven Ways to Encourage Reluctant Readers

Visit Bookfessions for lots more book-related confessions and other cool book content.

Slightly Foxed is a company that is making books – one at a time. The process is so personal;  it is just one reason why books are – imho – superior to eReaders.

Read the story at The Telegraph

We readers often dream of having the perfect spot to curl up with a good book. Huffington Post has found sixteen!

Savidge Reads

Simon is one of the most prolific readers and writers I’ve met in the blog world. His site is chock-a-block with reviews and bookishbits. He writes “Savidge Reads to stop boring everyone he meets who may not be a book addict with tales, fact and reviews of books he has read, wants to read or you must read.”

Simon’s blog is a great place to connect to the book world, particularly in the UK, and he has has fingers in a lot of book pies. If you are new to book blogs – Savidge Reads is a great place to start.

By now you’ve probably all figured out that I own more books than I’ll ever be able to read – unless I live to be 100 with my eyesight and brain intact. Of course, I don’t care that I have too many books. Seriously, I don’t. And I no longer have any real angst over putting aside books that I don’t like. I give them a fair shake and then, well, I send them to The Book Graveyard.

Books are like a relationship.

I am superficial. I am attracted to the pretty. (Don’t judge me.) I like a nice cover and a good blurb. I like a book that sucks me in from the opening lines and holds me by the throat until the final pages. Okay, wait a minute, that sounds a bit like I am attracted to psychopaths.

Some books demand a little more from you. They aren’t superficial; they want a relationship with you. And they make you work for it. Often times I start a book and, for whatever reason, I just don’t get into them.  The Book Thief springs to mind. I also set aside The Knife of Never Letting Go because after the first couple of lines, which I loved, I just wasn’t feeling it.  I returned to both of those books after a short hiatus and as many of you know,  I have raved about them incessantly. Other books challenge you from the start and keep challenging you until the final page is turned. I think of A.S. Byatt’s Possession.

So, what is it then? Why are some books hard work, but worth the effort, while others are not? Why do books that don’t grab you one day, seem un-put-down-able a few days later? Why are some books re-readable year after year?

Here is a list of reasons I will break up with my book.

1. Style over substance. Okay, like I said, I am attracted to the pretty. But I am also more – how should I say this – seasoned. I am less enthralled by a beautifully written book with nothing to say. It doesn’t take long for  the pretty to wear off.  I’ll compare it to being at the bar. Across the room you see this gorgeous guy. You make eye contact. Then you realize he isn’t actually looking at you; he’s looking at his reflection in the mirror behind you. A book that works so hard to be literary, to impress, but is really just naval gazing loses my interest pretty fast.

2. Unbelievable characters. I don’t have to like the characters, but I do have to believe in them. Even if the author has chosen to put them in crazy situations, I want to share their journey.  I can’t travel with characters who fail to earn my respect or admiration or sympathy. So, I’m back at the bar. Handsome guy across the room. Eye contact made. You move towards each other. He buys you a drink. Then he starts talking and after about five minutes you realize he’s as dumb/self-involved/humourless/dull… as a pet fence.  You stop listening to him because you stop caring about him. Characters like that.

3. S-L-O-W/tooquick  plot. Not every novel is driven by plot. Some stories don’t depend on what happens as much as to whom it happens. I don’t have a preference. Pacing is everything. Back at the bar, you’ve consumed your drink(s); there’s potential. And then he sticks his tongue down your throat. Whoa, buddy, didn’t see that coming! Timing is everything. If you are building suspense, build it. If your characters are going to do the horizontal mambo, let them take their time; but if nothing happens for page after page after freakin’ page while the author describes cutlery and grass clippings, sorry, it’s over. Or, if without any character development or too much exposition the book lands me in an unreasonable place, we’re through.

4. Bad writing. Come on. Who is going to slog through a poorly written book? Not me. Not anymore. It’s amazing to me that these things get published! I mean, Twilight, okay. New Moon. Seriously!? And two more after that? Yikes. Books like that come with buzz – like your handsome friend at the bar. Until he opens his mouth and, dude, you need some breath mints or something.

I might give a book a second chance. I have, too, because sometimes I’m not on my game. Or – my bar friend is  all that and a bag of chips, but I’m just not in the mood. Other books have languished on my shelves for years and years because I have it in my head that I should read them: William Trevor’s The Story of Lucy Gault, which I have attempted more than once and never get past page 50; 0r Stephen King’s The Stand, which always flummoxes me with too many characters; or Jayne Anne Phillips’ Shelter, which I’ve owned for 20 years, tried to read on several occasions and still can’t get into. I just can’t seem to quit those books. Yet. They’re like that guy at the bar – not so flashy, kind of awkward, tries too hard – but you keep giving them another chance to impress you.

The perfect book is like the perfect relationship. All the stars align. You’re ready for each other and you come together with realistic expectations which are perfectly met. Sure, there might be rough patches, but you work through them. And when you finish that final page, you take that book with you in your heart. Like a good partner. Okay – maybe even better.

Riel Nason, author of the terrific novel The Town That Drowned, tweeted this morning about some book purses she found on Etsy. Riel, who is very crafty herself (check out her beautiful quilts) wondered how she felt about books being turned into purses.  Novel Creations takes hardcover books and repurposes them into pretty little handbags.

I actually have a book purse. Years ago I came across them at a craft sale. I think I paid $12 for mine.

A quick Google search yielded some great (or, okay, strange) ideas for repurposing your old books.

9 Ways to Turn Old Musty Books Into Something Cool

5 DIY Crafts for Used Books

Cool Non-Literary Uses for Books

80 Awesome Ideas For All Your Old or Unwanted Books

And this Pinterest page offers New Uses for Old Books

I’m not crafty – but some of these ideas are sort of cool. What do you do with old books?