Talkin' about the Reading Zone

I love to talk about books. Well, truth be told, I just really love to talk. But talking about books ranks right up near the top of my things-to-talk-about list. So, knowing how my 2nd graders felt about books, I figured they'd love a chance to hang out together and dish about their reads, too. I was right.

Today I gathered my friends around me on the carpet and told them I wanted to hear how clubs were going this week. What's working? What's not? What do you like about your book clubs?

One girl wondered what to do if you don't like a book. "Do you have to finish it?"  I was so glad she asked. "No," I assured her. "I don't finish every single book I start. If I can't get into the zone after trying it for a couple of days, then I'm likely not going to want to waste my time with it. You own your reading time. You have the power to choose what works for you. It's OK to quit a book."

So much for the hard questions.

Then I asked what they liked best about their club meetings.

"Well, I get to hang out with my friends."

"I really like everybody in this class, but I really, really like the people in my book club."

"It's just fun to hang out with each other."

Whoa, that's not what I expected. What about the books? But I kept quiet for a change.

"Yeah, getting to talk with my friends is fun."

And you know what? I really started to hear them. Yes, getting to talk to my friends is exactly what I look forward in a book club. That special night out, away from laundry and dishes and bedtimes. My friends and I gather to bond over books. The book matters, but it's the friendships we are building.

Now I get it. And I'm glad my kids have discovered one of the many wonders of the Reading Zone.