A fun benefit of being a reader is that you get to connect with other people: book clubs, Goodreads, your social media platforms, professional development, and just in daily conversations. Yes, conversations. Can we talk about that idea?
I’ve observed in many of my students a lack of ability to have a conversation. Albeit some students are anxious or perhaps not comfortable in the classroom, many don’t have anything to say to an adult like me. One of the best things that bridges that gap is books. Here’s why. With every book you read, you put background knowledge into your brain. This knowledge spans different topics (and ideally a wide variety of topics!) that you can then bring up in conversation. I could never count the number of times I’ve been able to enter into conversation with a person solely because I had read something related to whatever he or she was talking about.
Anne Bogel shares in her book I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of a ReadIng Life about a time when she dazzled her Aunt with her knowledge of urban planning, which she’d read about in a book. Her Aunt promptly regained her faith in the future generation.
Here are some ways you can connect with others through books.
Join a Book Club! (Bonus: you might make a new friend, and you’ll have a deadline to finish your book!)
Join Goodreads. I don’t maintain my account anymore since I keep a paper list of the books I read, but Goodreads is the perfect place to go when I want to see if a book is worth all the hype or not!
On Twitter: Follow your favorite authors! One time, I tweeted Neal Shusterman a link to a news article I’d read that sounded like something out of the book Unwind and HE RESPONDED! I got to brag about that to my students!
On Facebook, Instagram, and all the others: Share what you’re reading. You’ll discover reading enthusiasts and get more book recommendations!
As you read books for professional development or trade magazines and journals, follow those professionals on social media.
What is another way you have been able to connect with others through books?
Reading Fully 