Inspired

SOLS Challenge Day 6

My family and I are reading The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne.  We just started it last night.  Although we are a family of readers, we haven't read aloud together for a long time.  We used to read aloud religiously when our kids were smaller. We alternated nights-- one night I read to my daughter while my husband read to my son, and then the next night we switched.  It was a special way to end our days and we all looked forward to it.  As our children got older, we slowly stopped reading to them and instead we all read our own books.  It's still a relaxing way to end the day, but nothing really compares to that shared experience gained from reading the same thing at the same time.

I was inspired to begin our old tradition again when I read Alan Wright's slice of life post from Saturday.  He mentioned The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and I was reminded that I had it on my shelf, but had not read it.  Then I read Ruth's post, in which she wrote about the book she is reading with her children.  It made perfect sense that we make the time to share books aloud again. 

I am pleased that our teenage son and tween daughter are still up for piling into the den and listening to me read.  It makes for good, quality time together.  I know this book  is going to stimulate some emotion and conversation.  I look forward to all that we get to learn from the book and from each other. 

Thank you Alan and Ruth, for inspiring me to create new memories with my family.