Well, a few days ago I went through an emergency surgery to have my appendix removed. So, when I got home, I thought I’d be all over my books! I’m stuck in bed for the next few days so… why not read?! Um, actually, I’m in a reading slump?? I CANNOT make myself pick up my book! Before the surgery, I wasn’t in a reading slump, mind you. Has this ever happened to any of you? Not necessarily a medical event, but having something work out so you focus on reading, however, the desire to read disappears? It. Is. So. Frustrating.

While I was at my parents' house, I saw something on the news about Book It! and the personal pan pizza reward.

It made me wonder, what things, big and small, contributed to making you become "a reader"? Was it incentives through school and libraries (eg Book It! , summer reading programs, accelerated reader); child-friendly reading areas; TV shows?

For me, it Book It! was part of it. Our family very rarely ever ate at restaurants or bought take-out, so it was a big deal when my dad took my sister and me to Pizza Hut to claim our free pizzas. Similarly, there was a a collaboration with Six Flags Great America, and if you logged 10 hours of reading within in a certain amount of time, you would receive a free ticket to the theme park. Ordinarily the cost, in addition to driving there, would prevent our family from going, but since we didn't want to "waste" the tickets, my family went, and it was how I was able to finally ride "real" roller coasters.

I also loved the summer reading program at my local library, and I would be really excited at the prospect of asking for my physical folder and writing the titles out (albeit in uncoordinated handwriting).