Do you ever read to another adult?

1. 73

   wayne barrettposted 11 years ago

   Do you ever read to another adult?
   
   Me and my wife choose a novel and then we take turns reading to each other. We are about to start a new one called, Ocean at The End of the Lane, by Neil Gaiman. Not including children, I was wondering how many others read to, or with, someone else.

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2. 89

   Faith Reaperposted 11 years ago

   Wow, that is so cool to do such together with your wife.  Well, I would read to my mother, especially when she was in ICU during her last days on this earth, as she truly loved poetry.  I had received two beautiful books of poetry from two hubber friends that I read to her. It was comforting to her. She read plenty to me when I was growing up.

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      wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is special to have those memories.

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   xstaticposted 11 years ago

   Good question, Wayne!
   I sometimes read to my wife while she is preparing dinner. I read all of Nora Ephron's very entertaining books that way. Since I have been "retired," though, I do a lot to the cooking and she works on her art quilts in the sewing room. NPR keeps me company.

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      wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My favorite NPR show is Garrison Kiellers Prairie Home Companion.

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      Diana Grantposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      .

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   Anna Havenposted 11 years ago

   I only ever read out my own work to my beloved. I like to hear what he thinks of it and he is always very honest

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      wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is good to have someone who is willing to listen to your work.

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5. 82

   Becky Katzposted 11 years ago

   I used to read to my grandmother when I was in my upper teens. She was going blind and could not read any more. I also taped books and sent them to her. My uncle used to catch her listening to them when he went to see her. She would listen to them because she was feeling lonely. I finely quit reading them when she died. I sent the last book to her about a week before she died.

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   1. 73

      wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's wonderful that you were able to do that for your grandmother.

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      Becky Katzposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wayne, it is a cherished time. She had a heart attack and was not allowed to be home alone. I graduated and went to stay with her. I will always be glad that I could spend that time with her.  I would read until I was hoarse.

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      Koyna Senposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I really feel sorry for you dear. I also used to read out books to my grand mother due to her weak eyesight. She has also passed away and since then, I truly feel melancholy , while reading the books, which she really used to enjoy listening.

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      Becky Katzposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Koyna Sen, This was over thirty years ago. I still miss her and it does not hurt anymore but the memories are still there.

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   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   My husband and I used to do that all the time. He usually liked me to read to him. We haven't done it in years though. We had a lot of fun with it. We read a fun old spy series with the main character, Sam Durell.  Great fun!

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      wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's never too late. : )

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   Diana Grantposted 11 years ago

   I would love to read my work to my partner, but he isn't the slightest bit interested. If I didn't have confidence in my own ability, I would be very disheartened,but I am sometimes invited to read my poetry at various performance venues where it is enthusiastically received

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      wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've been thinking about trying some live readings in my area.

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      Twilight Lawnsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The analogy about: "a prophet in his own country," Diana is so true.
      Don't let it worry you... I'm lying, really.
      I always feel hurt when my partner isn't interested in my writing, whereas others tell me that it is worthwhile.

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      Diana Grantposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I suppose I'm not with him because of his interest in poetry, so musn't grumble!

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   Ericdierkerposted 11 years ago

   I do the bible in my house. Like when she is stuck getting beautiful for her work day. My 3 year old likes it best when all gather to read together. I also read the Gospel in church every week. Hmmm.
   
   But your question and responses make it sound so intimate and loving between you and your's. I just got a warm peaceful easy feeling reading your question. We shall begin this tradition. Thank you. You just changed things in my life for the better.

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   1. 73

      wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It is therapeutic, and fun. It's a way to sit with my wife without any boob tube or distractions going on and enjoy a good story as well as each others company.

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I like to think that it will be the reading that will be the writing of the next story of love.

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9. 72

   Twilight Lawnsposted 11 years ago

   I do, quite often, to a very close friend of mine.  He is a very intelligent Pakistani young man, who loves the English language, and in fact, understands its workings better than I or the average English speaker, because he has come to it as a "foreign tongue" to be mastered.
   He is presently reading 'Life of Pi' and we have read chapters of it to each other, and he loves the use of the language therein.
   But only last week I read him a Richmal Crompton story, from 'Just William', one of the ‘William’ series.  it was CHAPTER XII - “JUMBLE”.  This is one of the most sensitive and beautifully crafted short stories I have read, and had the great pleasure of reading it and sharing it with my friend.

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   1. 73

      wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds like a wonderful time. What a great way to connect with a friend.

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10. 72

    lburmasterposted 11 years ago

    Sometimes I read certain quotes from my favorite books to others. Maybe a page at most, but not entire chapters.

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       wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I also love quotes.

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    fpherj48posted 11 years ago

    wayne....I have often read aloud for another adult.  It's actually a pleasant experience.  The reasons have varied.  One individual I have read to, in the past, was a close friend of mine, who for reasons unknown, had not been able to prevent his mind from "wandering," as he read. (IMO, he was a hyper-type, high-powered engineer, with a "busy" mind.) 
    When he found a book that he wanted to read, he found it was possible for him to kick back and relax and use only his ears, as I read to him.  His focus and attention was keenly upon listening.  It worked out well.  I was happy to do this because the truth is, I'd have been "reading" myself.....anyway.
    I've also read, numerous times, to family members and friends, at times they were confined, due to an illness or injury.   Very interesting question, wayne.

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    1. 73

       wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I'm sure your reading is very therapeutic to your friend. Even though I love to read, it is relaxing to just sit back and listen to my wife read to me.

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    chef-de-jourposted 11 years ago

    i read poetry to my partner. Last attempt was Robert Browning's Porphyria's Lover, a curious poem about the murder of a woman!!! Luckily my partner likes horror and suspense!!

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    1. 73

       wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That is the trick for me; finding something that both me and my wife will enjoy.

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    Koyna Senposted 11 years ago

    I also love to read and share books with my spouse. Whenever, I found any interesting book, I make my spouse to read it first. I just wait for him to the book and wait for his remarks. Then I start reading and after finishing I judge his remarks and he mine and often we enjoy discussing about the book also.

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       wayne barrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That is a fun part; getting each others take on the story.

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14. 73

    wayne barrettposted 11 years ago

    I appreciate all the answers and aspects of reading to another in your life. I wanted to hear answers that did not involve reading to our children because most of us have done so, but I must say that my daughters are all avid readers, and two are writers, and they always reference the years when I used to read to them. It is a great memory, and one that I will always cherish.

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