#Our Reading Lives

Our Reading Lives features stories about how books and reading have shaped who we are and how we live.

To the Book That Ended My Reading Slump

"I remembered that I loved reading."

Meeting My Heroes: Mem Fox and Judy Horacek Storytime

Mem Fox and Judy Horacek not only create fabulous children's books, they also deliver a pretty great storytime. One parent offers her thoughts on what made their storytime fantastic.

Thoughts I Had During My Latest Reading Slump

Reading slumps are the worst. Here are some thoughts I had during my latest nightmare, accompanied by gifs to make it less terrible.

On Going Back to University to be a Writer

"Jotting down notes and thinking about reading as a writer has changed my perspective on the books I swallow each year."

The Simple Joy of Rereading to Break a Reading Slump

Struggling with the anxiety of keeping up with the buzzy and "Important" books, one reader turned to rereading to enjoy the experience again.

Reading While Chronically Ill or, the Books Will Wait

Reading while chronically ill (or grieving, which can sometimes feel very similar) doesn’t always work -- and that doesn’t make you less of a reader.

How Books Have Made Me Brave

A reader on taking a leap to meet a favorite author in person, and finding bravery and a sense of adventure through books.

Reading Sci-Fi as a Scientist

A scientist and reader on the shared sense of wonder and discovery found in STEM work and in reading science fiction.

When You See Your Name in a Book

"I'd also tell the author of my recent find about just how powerful it is to find my name in their pages."

It’s Okay If You Haven’t Read Harry Potter

Really, it's fine. You can keep your reader card.