Reading and Readers groups.

Since I was taught to read by my Grandmother at the age of three, I have loved reading, as a girl I would get eight books a week from the Library. I was brought up in the era of "being seen, but not heard" reading filled in lonely hours (I was an only child until I was 17 years old).



My first job after leaving school was at W.H.Smiths in Leeds, I was the junior girl in the Childrens' Book Department, I was happy there, but Dad said I should work in an office, so I had to go for shorthand and typing lessons, I left after I got some qualifications, to work in an Estate

Agents.



At this time I read a lot of books, sort of "geographically"based stories about China, the stories about the then Siam, about Africa, dreaming about how I would visit them one day.



After I married and children came along, I had not got the time or concentration to read. As the kids grew and left home the reading came back in.



I read at this time, by Author. I read all the Jean Plaidys', the Georgette Heyers' moving on to the Catherine Cooksons' before she became really popular, I used to wait for the "next one" coming into the Library.



We joined a Network Marketing Company, and you have to do a lot of Self Improvement reading and Inspirational reading. There is also the need to start your own Library. The therory being "you are only as good as the last book you read".



I did retire from work in December 07. I was now able to read when I liked, proving the housework, shopping and washing were done.



I joined a Readers Group, through which I started reading better quality Authors and Non-English Authors. A lot of the books I really would not have chosen to read, but having read them, it has brought a richness to my reading. I would say to anyone "join a book reading group", there are benefits in meeting new people with the same interest as yourself.



I am currently looking out for books by Ian McEwen, Joanne Harris, Ainta Diament plus many others.



A lot of my books come now from Charity shops for under a £1., I can read them and take them back, or if I like it sufficiently I can keep it. Up to now (late November) I have read over 60 books this year.