"The Best of Me"

In the previous post, I told you I need more time for me, doing the things that I love. Honestly, I don't even really know what those things are.

I have never been on to read "for fun." I always admired people who did but never really understood. I have, for what I can remember, only read one book just because - "The Lovely Bones." I read this in high school I believe. (By the way, the book was better than the movie that came out a few years ago.)

Anyways.... The past few years I have read  A LOT, but for educational purposes. I read books for school and books to help me with school. Never a book because I wanted to. I think this has happened for several reasons.

1. I don't have time. Read for fun - what is fun?? :) Definitely haven't had time for that.
2. I am so used to reading to learn. I can't remember the last time I read something without a highlighter and pen beside me.
3. Even if I wanted to purchase a book, I would have no idea where to even start. The bookstore and library is definitely overwhelming.
4. Reading is something that I believe needs to be fostered when children are young. I don't really remember ever reading when I was younger. In high school, we were assigned books - we never got to choose - and they always came along with assignments.

One thing that I really like about the school that I teach at is that we have D.E.A.R. time every day for 30 minutes. D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read. This is a time where students get to read whatever book they choose, for fun. No assignments. No questions. Just enjoyable reading. If I had had that when I was younger, I may actually enjoy reading.

Lately I have yeared for quiet, relaxing time. Being with 8-9 year olds all day and then coming home to a 2 and 5 year old makes for a very busy and noisy day. The thought of reading has actually sounded really good.

Yesterday, when I was at Wal-Mart picking up a few organizational items, I decided to purchase a book. Wal-Mart does not have a very large selection but I actually liked that - it wasn't overwhelming for me. So, I decided to go to the Best Seller's section. I figured I couldn't go wrong there. If it was a Best Seller, it must be good, right? So, with much hesitation, I finally picked one....

"The Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks.


I have heard of him but really know nothing about him. I have to start somewhere so apparantly this is where I am starting. I am oddly looking forward to reading, so I hope I am not disappointed. I am on chapter 3 and so far so good.