Notes on Life: Positive Thinking, Speeding, “Flow” in Meetings, Reading with My Kids

The Financial Philosopher Says:

July 30th, 2008, 22:21 pm

You strike on two topics near and dear to my heart (and mind): Children and Reading…

“The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.” ~ Einstein

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” ~ Confucius

“The reading of all good books is indeed like a conversation with the noblest men of past centuries who were the authors of them, nay a carefully studied conversation, in which they reveal to us none but the best of their thoughts.”~ Rene Descartes

Thanks for the post…

Kent (The Financial Philosopher)

Tim D Says:

July 30th, 2008, 22:35 pm

Leo, I have a 9 year old boy and a 3 year old girl and want to start the habit of reading to them. Could you give a more detailed list of books to share with them that you found to be great reads. A nice list of books for the kids and for adults would be great. I’ve always wanted to get into reading myself but with so many choices it’s tough to decide where to start. I trust your opinion. Any help would be appreciated.

Silas Says:

July 30th, 2008, 22:56 pm

Positive thinking has saved me many a time!

As to a new series… Perhaps try the Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden, or if fantasy is preferred Tamora Pierce has a great number of series aimed at youth/young adults. The Redwall series by Brian Jacques is also excellent. These are some of the longer series that I have read and enjoyed during my youth, and my younger brothers and sisters also enjoyed them as well.

Eden Says:

July 30th, 2008, 22:59 pm

What a great lesson to teach your daughter at such a young age. Sadly, I didn’t understand the importance of attitude until much later in life and after missing many great opportunities because of my bad attitude. You are preparing your children well!

Leo Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:05 pm

Thanks for the nice comments, guys … and thanks for the suggestions Silas!

@Tim D: I suggest making it a habit to read before bedtime, just because that ties the new habit to an existing routine. As for recommendations, here are my all-time favorites.

Marelisa Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:06 pm

Leo: I read a book called “Optimal Thinking” which indicates that the best thinking strategy is neither negative nor positive thinking, but optimal thinking. Optimal thinkers have realistic expectations and focus on optimizing situations within their control. For example, if you’ve invested in the stock market and are having doubts about whether to stay in or sell and get out, you have three thinking options:

• Negative thinking: “Of course the stock market is going to come crashing down, now that I’ve decided to invest in it.”

• Positive thinking: “Well, I’m just going to trust that everything will turn out well in the end.”

• Optimal thinking: “What is the most constructive action that I can take right now under these circumstances?”

Right now there’s a lot of talk in the news about people losing their homes to foreclosure. I was watching on Larry King a few experts saying that part of the problem is that people fail to act when they start getting foreclosure notices from their lenders. It’s as if they were hoping that the problem would solve itself. A negative attitude doesn’t help anyone, but neither does just having a positive attitude. So I think a optimal thinking/attitude is the way to go.

Debbi Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:06 pm

Don’t think of your daughter’s newfound love of books as a terrible expense. Think of it as an opportunity to get her a library card. Of course, I’m suggesting this without knowing whether there’s a public library reasonably available to you and hoping there is. :)

Shanel Yang Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:07 pm

The growth mindset (as opposed to a fixed mindset) is the difference between being better and potentially great at anything you want and settling for a self-limiting view of your abilities as something we are either fortunate enough to be born with or unlucky enough to be born without. I write about the amazing powers of the growth mindset in a post called “Change Your Mindset to Change Your Life” at http://shanelyang.com/2008/04/12/change-your-mindset-to-change-your-life/

Leo Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:09 pm

@Debbi: Yeah, I was just kidding about the expense. We go to the library every week or two, and love it!

kreative Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:18 pm

I’ve followed you for some time but never actually took the time to comment and I apologize for my lack of not doing so before, but its really nice that you take the time to actually spend with your kids. Some parents don’t even do that anymore. Your investing in your kids and it will be a good investment. Great Post.

Shamelle @ TheEnhanceLife.com Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:19 pm

Hi Leo,
I am sure it would have been a lot easier to say “oh, yes the book is too difficult and boring” and move on. However, tuning the attitude towards positive should start at a young age.

With my own battle with positive attitude, I have noticed that as easy as it is, to say “be positive”, it takes a lot of self discipline to carry it out in day to day life.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” ~ Sir Winston Churchill

Shamelle

Sarah Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:22 pm

I don’t have children yet but I have already spent a lot of time thinking about what books I want to read to them (and what books I want to have available for them to read by themselves). Since you seem open to suggestions and have kids of all different ages (!!) here are some of the books I loved as a child/ teenager and some I have discovered since. Some are well-known and others are a bit more obscure! Also, some of them might seem a bit dated but I don’t think it hurts to read stuff that is not contemporary sometimes - personally I love reading detective stories that have no mention of DNA. It could be considered a kind of (recent) history lesson as well!

When I was a kid I loved books by Enid Blyton (especially the adventure ones such as the Famous Five and (for girls) the ones about boarding school), Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Robin Klein, and Paul Jennings.

I loved “Goodnight Mister Tom,” “My Friend Flicka” and the books that followed on from that, the Trixie Belden series, Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew.

Picture book-wise all little kids I know these days LOVE the Hairy Maclary series, but some of my favourites were “The Monster at the End of this Book”, “John Brown, Rose, and the Midnight Cat,” and “Little Black, a Pony.”

I can’t wait to hear some oth the other readers’ suggestions and add them to my list!

Marc and Angel Hack Life Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:42 pm

I think it’s wonderful that you were able to teach your 8 year old such as valuble lesson at her age. Hopefully it stays with her for the rest of her life. Way to go!

The Success Professor Says:

July 30th, 2008, 23:54 pm

Thank you for being so open with us about your life. What a great way to teach your kids about positive thinking. Your article on Scott Young’s blog is fantastic.

Alecia D Says:

July 31st, 2008, 0:12 am

Growing up, my dad used to tell me alot of sayings and proverbs (most of which I never understood) but one of the few that always stood out to me was “attitude determines altitude” and I strive to live by that daily. Positive attitude/thinking really is the key to living your best possible life!

Writer Dad Says:

July 31st, 2008, 0:14 am

I got a parking ticket a couple weeks back. At first I was pretty sad because they’re forty-two dollars, and I could think of about a million things I’d rather (need to) spend the money on. When I got back in the car with my son, he asked me what had happened. I said that Daddy didn’t follow the rules, and so Daddy had a consequence. “Grown ups get them too, huh?” he asked. “Sometimes,” I said. “When we don’t follow the rules.” Now I know it was worth every penny.

I will be sad beyond reason when my children no longer want to be read to.

Richard Says:

July 31st, 2008, 0:21 am

Great post (and great title)…

Reaidng is fundamental to kid’s learning. Being a teacher and all, that little pearl of wisdom was drummed into us every day at teacher training college. It’s also a great way to relax, and a great activity to do with your kids. My little boy is only 2 months right now, so I guess I’ll have to wait a while before I can read with him…

BTW, “Notes On Life..” Seems that I’ve seen that little dictum somewhere before :-) Here, I think:
http://www.cheewit.net

Sara at On Simplicity Says:

July 31st, 2008, 0:49 am

I loved your story about speeding, just hope you didn’t get nailed with a big fine. (Eek!)

You know, I really don’t know what can top Harry Potter as a reading experience. I burned through them in January and have been struggling to find pleasure reading books since. It seems many reading are having the same reaction with Stephanie Meyer’s books, but I haven’t cracked the top of the library’s “reserve” list yet.

As far as books for young readers (picture books), I’d love to recommend Peter H. Reynolds–amazingly simple and powerful stories about creativity. Jon Muth also writes fantastic fiction books on zen philosophies for kids (Zen Shorts, Zen Ties)–they’d also appeal to older readers as well. I also get a big kick out of Antoinette Portis (Not a Stick, Not a Box); these titles are all about imagination.

Dave Says:

July 31st, 2008, 1:05 am

As far as book suggestions for your 15-year-old daughter, I would suggest the Ender’s Game/Ender’s Shadow series by Orson Scott Card. They’re sci-fi but still some of the best young adult novels out there. For more fantasy I recommend Stephen King’s Eye of the Dragon. While he’s more well known for his horror, Eye of the Dragon is a clever twist on fantasy and very age appropriate. Then again, there’s always that one about the hobbit and some kind of ring…

Tabs Says:

July 31st, 2008, 1:07 am

Your talking about reading children’s books tugs at my heart I recently listen to all seven Harry Potter books and all Phillip Pullman’s books on tape (I am waiting on one more Pullman book from the library, good idea Debbi, I will have to share my love of the library with you someday). It took months but memory is priceless to me.

You are creating a memory that your children will hold near and dear to their hearts forever. Believe me I remember my mother brought home a library book when I was 8 years old, (900 years ago) it had a picture of the Golden Gate bridge in it. I feel in love with it, I lived in Africa, every time I see the bridge I think of her, the book and my heart warms up. That bridge has been number one on my favorite things list my entire life. I now live five minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge.

What is a little “bite on the arse” when you are creating priceless memories for your children,

I really enjoy your blog, sometimes I must confess just the name and those four stones are enough to zenify my day.

Cheers,

Tabs

KIM Says:

July 31st, 2008, 1:08 am

Children’s books for those old enough to like the Harry Potter series:

Inkheart series by Cordelia Funke
So you want to be a Wizard series by Diane Duane

for them and the slightly younger:
Neverending Story
Phantom Tollbooth
Tale of Despereaux

eliska Says:

July 31st, 2008, 1:41 am

In the city, speeding will probably save you five minutes. (And, pet peeve: tailgating will save you zero!) You may as well relax, drive the speed limit, and arrive calm and clearheaded enough to think of a good excuse for being late :)

–

Leo, it’s great that you invest the time and energy in actually interacting with your kids. I hope you enjoy the ending of Harry Potter.

Leigh Says:

July 31st, 2008, 1:54 am

I second the Redwall recomendation!

Leo Says:

July 31st, 2008, 1:56 am

My son Justin loves the Redwall books! I haven’t read them yet myself. I’m thinking, with my high-school-aged daughter, I’ll need a more mature series. We started the Lord of the Ring series before … that might be good.

Sachin Says:

July 31st, 2008, 2:34 am

I love reading and it is in my blood but my little daughter hates to read…..

Alison Wiley Says:

July 31st, 2008, 2:47 am

Ah, reading makes us so rich. I’ve been hooked on it my whole life.
And your speeding story! I’m smiling, because I recently wrote an article on how we can help our spirits, wallets and the planet all at the same time just in how we drive: http://www.diamondcutlife.org/how-to-save-money-on-gas/
Blessings!

Ricardo Bueno Says:

July 31st, 2008, 2:53 am

That’s pretty awesome that she made it back and finished reading the book… I can see how things could get challenging and frustrating… I’m reading a Constitutional Law textbook right now so I understand her frustration (really I do). Lol.

I think that a positive attitude is a “must have” in life. Generally speaking I’m a “the-glass-is-half-full” kinda guy and I always say that “the sky’s the limit.” And maybe that sounds overly positive, optimistic and unrealistic, but the truth is, if I didn’t have a positive attitude, I would have quit on all the challenges life threw at me! It’s that positive attitude that allows you to get up and keep pushing forward. Without it, we might just end up settling for a life of mediocrity and to me that’s just not living…

fabelfisk Says:

July 31st, 2008, 3:14 am

I love children’s books! At the age of 25 I still read them with great joy. I can never, ever thank my parents enough for introducing me to the joy of reading.

Some of my favourites include:

Phillip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” triology (for older kids and adults who love adventure and reflection on life and death and a bit of magic)

Tolkien’s “Letters from Santa Clause” (this is one of his less famous, but oh so adorable children’s books)

Astrid Lindgren: Everything! I don’t know all the English names, but Pippi Longstocking is just the beginning. The Lionheart Brothers, Mio, Marikken, Emil and all the rest of them.

And very unlikely to be available in Guam, my all-time-favourite: Tor Åge Bringsværd’s (directly translated) “The Sea-Worm Ruffen”.

I’m getting a bit emotional here :) I have to add that maybe I love some of these books so much not just because of their literary content, but for the fact that I have such great memories linked to actually reading them..

oyster Says:

July 31st, 2008, 3:29 am

I know you’ve gotten about a million book suggestions by now, but I strongly recommend A Series of Unfortunate Events. They’re dark and very funny (for both kids and adults) and are great advocates of positive thinking and being a well-read, educated person.

Hank Fox Says:

July 31st, 2008, 3:33 am

There’s a pretty good series, also set in a world of wizardry, that starts with the book “So You Want to Be a Wizard,” which I think is by Diane Duane. Very readable for kids, and with some deliberately moral content.

Also look for “The Bromeliad Trilogy” — Truckers, Diggers and Wings — by Terry Pratchett, and the “Johnny Maxwell Trilogy.”

The Tiffany Aching books, also from Terry Pratchett, are pretty darned good: Wee Free Men, A Hatful of Sky, and Wintersmith.

Happy reading!

Geri Says:

July 31st, 2008, 4:14 am

Definately try Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials. I turned to these books to fill the void left by Harry. (Who’d have thought a 24 year old would miss Harry?).A word of warning though, I read this trilogy in three days. They’re ‘unputdownable’.

Scott McIntyre Says:

July 31st, 2008, 4:51 am

I enjoyed reading about how you are working with your daughter to encourage positive thinking.

I can imagine that you too are benefiting from watching her bloom with this approach to life.

You are setting Maia up to have a wonderful foundation on which to build her life in the years ahead.

We are constantly bombarded with negativity from all directions. Situations and people either deliberately or unwittingly will cause negativity hurdles for us.

When we are confident and comfortable in our ability to think positively, we can jump these barriers which can stunt our wellbeing.

It’s inevitable your daughter will encounter negativity which could affect her in many ways. However, you are helping to equip her to counter these effects by giving her the tools of positive thinking.

There can’t be many gifts you can give her which will shape her future as strongly as that one.

And the journeys you travel with them through the books is brilliant. I’m sad when I hear of parents- sometimes they can’t help it- who don’t have the time or inclination to read with their children.

It’s a shame because exploring a child’s imagination through reading with them allows you to share in their creativity and helps them in their academic endeavors.

I know that here in the UK, there are government educational initiatives which aim to get more parents reading with their children. The majority of participants- both the adults and the kids- report that the benefits are immense.

Let’s unleash the power of positive thinking and the imagination!

Michael Liebwein Says:

July 31st, 2008, 4:52 am

Hi Leo,

I’d definitly recommend C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. Awesome read :)

chris Says:

July 31st, 2008, 4:54 am

As an educator and a parent, you are exactly doing the thing that I always tell parents which is if you want your child to love reading and if you want their reading comprehension to improve, read with them or show them that you too love to read. Works like a charm.

My house is full of readers because my wife and I love to read.

Thanks for sharing your introspections. They add to your credibility!

Monica Says:

July 31st, 2008, 4:55 am

Hi Leo!
Great post as always…especially the part about reading! I can’t mine (or anyone’s!) life without books! As for suggestions, how about Cristopher Paolini’s series: Eragon, Eldest and Brisingr (the third book is due out this Fall)?

Hege Says:

July 31st, 2008, 5:49 am

I also have a daughter named Maia :-) She is 11 years old, and she reads a book every day! Last time we went to the library she borrowed 17 books - much to the librarians amusement. We are lucky to have very good libraries in Norway. I believe being able to read, and understand a text quickly is fundamental for doing well in school and many other areas of life. Reading also feeds the imagination as opposed to movies and tv.
When Maia was a baby I used to sing to her, then read for her. After a while we read books together, before she enjoyed reading on her own.

Stephen Smith Says:

July 31st, 2008, 5:58 am

For those into History, I recommend the “Tales of Alvin Maker” series by Orson Scott Card. Alternative history about life and magic in colonial America. Definitely one of Card’s best series.

AnneTanne Says:

July 31st, 2008, 6:03 am

I read with my now 11 years old son (almost) every evening…
We just finished ‘The Duncton Saga’ by William Horwood, and he loved it. (I discovered the series as an adult, and it is so beautiful, I even like it better than Watership down - this one is about moles, and you get it, I still can’t regret having a mole in my lawn.)
Only the first (and best) book is translated into Dutch, and reading/hearing the other two in English is still too hard for our son.
(Dutch-speaking children in Belgium first learn French, and only have English at school in high school. This doesn’t mean they don’t understand some English before - there’s the internet you know - but for reading a book that’s not really a children’s book is too difficult of course.)

But several of the books you mentioned earlier are translated, and e.g. ‘Where the wild things are’ (Max en de maxi-monsters) by Sendak also was one of our son’s favorites.

Patricia Hensley Says:

July 31st, 2008, 6:04 am

I am a strong believe in having a positive attitude and I have tried to instill this in my high school students. I made them write on every paper that they turned in for a grade: I am a Born Winner! I feel they needed to take a positive attitude about themselves and have called themselves losers so much (and had friends and family do the same thing) that they needed to turn themselves around. I recently had lunch with a girl who was in my class 15 years ago that says she still remembers this and it made a difference in her life. It felt good to make that kind of impact.

VJK Says:

July 31st, 2008, 6:39 am

Narnia series - definitely.

Also try Swallows and Amazons (family of kids doing lots of sailing, unencumbered by adults). English, 1950’s??, but re-released on paperback here in Australia so should be find-able. Originals might even be in your local library?? Author someone Randall, I think.

Little Women (then Good Wives, Little Men, Jo’s Boys) - Louisa May Alcott. Very oldies, but goodies. Lots of discussion of character & how to develop it & how everyone has difference strengths & weaknesses.

The Billabong series probably aren’t available in Guam (starts with Norah of Billabong) but would be exotic for you, I guess. Australian, written from early 1900’s over about 30 years. Kids then adults (with more kids around) growing up on farm in country Australia; includes WW1, lots of animal & camping stories. Originals are expensive ($90 Aust/book!), 1950’s reprints a bit less so, 1980’s reprints nothing like as nice to hold but much cheaper. Author Mary Grant Bruce. And I loved them - and still do.

And “Little House on the Prairie” series. Starts with “Little House in the Big Woods”; Laura Ingalls Wilder. Very good for discussion of what life used to be like, especially w r t expectations of kids. Issues get more complex as series continues (first book quite simple), so good for growing with the reader/s. Are you of the age / place to remember the TV series?

For older kids, Ivan Southall (as author). Kids overcoming serious adversity (eg destruction of town by flood when nearly all adults away). Australian, again.

Ethel Turner is other great turn of the century (ie early 1900s) Australian writer for kids. Classic is “Seven Little Australians” - but watch out, main character dies at end - very heart rending & not for the quite young.

Oh, and Anne of Green Gables series (L M Montgomery?) Loved and cried over by generations of girls.

I’ll stop now.

Enjoy!! (Can’t wait til my 2 yr old is old enough for these!!)

RightInTheHeadLeftInTheHeart Says:

July 31st, 2008, 7:37 am

Just last night, my 7 year old daughter and I just finished the 7th Harry Potter book…she was sad that it was over, but said that hse can always go back and read them over. (we listen to Jim Dale read the book on CD and follow along

Also, if you get a chance…Dr. Seuss’s, “The Sneetches” might just be one of the most insightful stories on how marketing can play on our insecurites, take our money, and complicate our lives with the unnecessary “things” that we purchase.

In the end, the Sneetches wise up!

Pete Says:

July 31st, 2008, 7:40 am

As for the driving slower, I can definitely relate. I always feel like I am in a rush, even when I am not. However, I have made it a goal to try and drive slower as well. I have tried turning off the music to let my mind wonder free. This definitely has a great effect, and may help you out.

http://www.YinVsYang.com

Monica Says:

July 31st, 2008, 7:45 am

Hi Leo,
Fantastic that your kids are all into reading so much. I was brought up with an entire bookshelf full of books, and my parents would read to me every single night. This is a habit that I’ve continued faithfully for all of my eighteen short years!

I may have gotten a little over-excited when I heard that you’d been reading Harry Potter - they have been a favourite book series of mine since the age of ten. You will absolutely love the seventh book! May I suggest for your 15-year-old daughter, the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. They seem to have taken the young adult world by storm - I really loved them. Also, the Host, by the same author, which is currently only a single book but I think she’s planning to write more. It’s a more adult sci-fi/fantasy book.

Keep reading to and with your kids, I’ve always thanked my parents for it!

Piankeshaw Says:

July 31st, 2008, 8:05 am

Thanks, Leo. Also,like that you are humble enough to point out when you don’t follow your own advice. I think that reading with your kids is very important and enjoyable for both.

You have inspired me to start my own blog. Don’t worry. It will have no advice. Funny stories from my life and my Theatre of the Absurd world-view.

Mary Says:

July 31st, 2008, 8:08 am

I think a love of reading is one of the best legacies we can give our children. I don’t specifically remember my parents reading to me, though I’m sure they did. However, my earliest memories of my mother are of her reading. She and my dad passed that love on to me, and I am passing it to my own children. My eldest is 17, and she is as much a bookworm as her mother :) .

My son, 15, is not as much of a bookworm, but he does love to read. Our favorite time is going to the bookstore, each grabbing a book and sitting at the cafe having bagels while we read.

As for the speeding ticket, I’ve been pulled over once, but the police officer let me go (I didn’t ask, was just nice to the guy). It definitely slowed me down.

Great post, Leo.

Amanda Says:

July 31st, 2008, 8:11 am

Perhaps for a new series, the Dark series by Pullman, it includes the Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and the Amber Spyglass.

Lake Says:

July 31st, 2008, 8:17 am

If your daughter enjoys fantasy novels, try Tamora Pierce. Her novels are well known for consistently strong female heriones. The Alanna series follows a girl through training to become a knight and the Wild Magic Quartet follows a girl who has the ability to speak with animals. Also, a newer book but something I devoured in one day is City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.

Lisa | Holistic Treatment for Depression Says:

July 31st, 2008, 8:37 am

I love reading with my kids, and I find that they REALLY appreciate it when I do it. Rather than watching a movie, where both of your attention is focused outward, reading together is a wonderful combination of attention on the other and imagination.

I also love the idea of reading together into high school. It’s such a gentle way of being with your child and maintains that important connection as they grow into adulthood.
Thanks for a great post!
Lisa

ZenWriter Says:

July 31st, 2008, 8:57 am

Have you read The Golden Compass series with your kids? That’s a good one. My all-time favorite, A Wrinkle in Time and all the books in that series. May be a bit young for your 15 year old, but then again I’m 29 and still re-read the series every couple of years! Twilight by Stephanie Meyer is FANTASTIC! And of course C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein. Lord of the Rings should last you a while!

I just finished writing my first novel, a young adult romance, so have been reading more young adult novels to find out what’s acceptable for the age range. It let me have a wonderful conversation about books with my 9 year old cousin, trading suggestions. She loves reading and writing as well.

neimanmarxist Says:

July 31st, 2008, 9:28 am

Have you read the chronicles of Narnia with your kids? I know there are movies now, but the books are incomparable. *sigh* One summer, I made my grandfather read me “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” repeatedly. So we’d start again, like, every other day. My grandfather was a very patient man.

Also, good reminder about positive thinking. Those of us who are starting dissertations feel sort of like your daughter with a very hard book. It is important to remember that this is actually a good thing. :)

Rachel Says:

July 31st, 2008, 9:51 am

Rick Riordan-The Lightning Thief series. There are now four. My eight year old (who reads really well) picked them up and then I read them and couldn’t put them down and then my eleven year old did too. They fought over who would get to read the new book first.

Mandiann Says:

July 31st, 2008, 9:54 am

I read the whole Harry Potter series last summer and I fell in love. I really wish the series would continue forever.

I would also suggest the “His Dark Materials” trilogy by Phil Pullman.(Golden Compass series) The books are extremely imaginative while carrying on an adult-ish story line. I think you and your daughter would both enjoy them greatly.

Fit Bottomed Girl Says:

July 31st, 2008, 10:07 am

My parents read with me a lot and it definitely cultivated my love of books and writing. Book can take you anywhere.

I’ve been trying to drive more slowly, too. Some of it is to save gas, but most of it is just to enjoy life more. It’s hard to appreciate what you have when you’re whizzing around.

Bill Says:

July 31st, 2008, 11:04 am

You both might enjoy the Spiderwick Chronicles. We bought in late spring and just finsihed it a few weeks ago. My seven and five year old both loved it!

Ranchojello Says:

July 31st, 2008, 11:07 am

My daughter and I are just finishing The Mysterious Benedict Society which a friend recommended to us as “better than Harry Potter.” I don’t know that I’d say better but certainly as good. I think there’s only two in the series so far.

carolina Says:

July 31st, 2008, 11:15 am

stephanie meyer’s series is pretty good

Sarah Says:

July 31st, 2008, 11:33 am

Leo, when i was young i used to love the books by Joan Aiken, especially the “wolves” saga. Also the fantastic books by Elizabeth George Speare. I doubt that they’re dated, since they’re all written about the past.

Reading a series along WITH your child is a great idea.

Tim Visher Says:

July 31st, 2008, 11:46 am

This post was refreshingly unfocused, Leo. :) You usually make them so scannable and concise that something that is just kind of your rambling thoughts is really kind of fun to read.

I make every effort to commute by bike whenever possible. I had a 10 mile commute to work where I used to live but then I moved a further 15 miles away about 3 months ago and decided that it was just not possible to ride to work. Then, this past weekend our transmission decided to explode and without any other options, I decided to go for it. Now, the last day of the week, I’ve discovered that 25 miles isn’t so bad, and is very healthy for me!

The reason I mention this is because one of the things I’ve loved most about commuting by bike is that it has allowed me to get a new perspective on transportation in general. I have done mission trips in a few second world countries (Mexico, Belize) and one thing that has always amazed me is that they seem so much more laid back in those countries than here (I’m in the Philadelphia area, btw). One reason that I feel I’ve identified for this change in social posture is the simple fact that they *can’t get places as fast as we can. If you’re walking and you need to go 10 miles, it’s just not possible to do that quickly, nor is it possible to exactly predict when you’ll arrive. You may be more tired that day or step on something that hurts your foot etc. etc. and just not be able to cover the ground. So instead of talking in terms of exact arrival times, they just say they’ll be there around 5 and if they show up at 6, no one seems to care!

I feel like biking has allowed me to get a taste for this. In a car the only thing that truly hampers your speed is the concept that an officer might pull you over for speeding. Most people I know at least feel absolutely confident that virtually no matter how fast they go they will be safe. The only reason they drive remotely the speed limit (ever hear of the 9 mph rule?) is because they don’t want to get a ticket. How tired you are or whether you’re sore etc. does not affect your speed. On a bike, no matter how desperately I want to get some place, I can’t go much faster than 13 mph average (at this point). This forces me to sit back a little and say to myself, ‘You know what? I’ll get there when I can get there and that’s just how it is.’ I feel bad for not keeping commitments, but the ability to rush is literally taken away from me. My bike just does not support rushing; car’s do.

Anyway, that’s a long rambling thought for you’re rumination.

As far as reading recommendations go (and btw… *big high-five for encouraging your kids to read and reading with your kids… Almost nothing has a greater affect on their lives) for your 15 year old, depending on how mature you’d like to get I’d recommend (from the fantasy realm, my personal favorite) His Dark Materials by Phil Pullman and for more material any of the many dark elf series (though I’d start with the legend of Drizzt) from R.L. Salvatore. His Dark Materials has been one of the most thought provoking fantasy novels I’ve read in a while and deals with many things. I by no means support his agenda and thinks his accomplishment of it is laughable at best, but nevertheless it fosters conversations between my wife and I and others that have been very rewarding. The Dark Elf series (Legend of Drizzt, Icewind Dale Trilogy, Hunters Blade trilogy, etc.) are all very thought provoking and action packed at the same time and are great ways to teach the need to find your own path and be willing to stick with it no matter the consequences. From Sci-Fi I’d love to second all of the Ender’s Game series… just incredible stuff. If you’re interested in getting into much more heady stuff too I’d recommend anything by Robert A. Heinlein. Stranger in a Strange Land and/or Starship Troopers are both epic and incredibly thought provoking.

Also, for yourself and all who haven’t read it, probably one of the best books of all time in my opinion is Maniac Magee… It’s a children’s novel but it’s really just flat out awesome.

Genesis Says:

July 31st, 2008, 12:04 pm

I have read with my boys since they came home from the hospital and it`s turned into a great love of books, even at their young ages (1 and 2). Can`t wait to start reading through the books I enjoyed as a child!

My mom read to my sisters and I until we graduated and we all enjoyed series like the Chronicles of Narnia and Famous Five, among many, many others. It`s a wonderful habit to get into and I see no reason to stop at a certain age!

Bart Murray Says:

July 31st, 2008, 12:07 pm

Had to laugh at the coincidence in your writing today….I also have a 15yr daughter named Chloe that loves Harry Potter. She has read them since elementary as well. Too weird, maybe this is a sign, so I am taking the time today to add my comment. I have thought to do this many times before but this was too good to sit on.
Take Care!

Peregrin Says:

July 31st, 2008, 12:10 pm

Two enthusiastic thumbs up for this post! I read a daily positive quote online, and today’s is appropriate for the “Speeding” part:

The sages do not consider that making no mistakes is a blessing. They believe, rather, that the great virtue of man lies in his ability to correct his mistakes and continually make a new man of himself.

— – Wang Yang-Ming

Also (and I haven’t read all the comments so I don’t know if these books have been mentioned yet), I would recommend Pamela Dean’s Secret Country trilogy for your 15-year-old. Very intelligent, age-appropriate fantasy. I’ve loved them since _I_ was 15! :)

carol Says:

July 31st, 2008, 12:11 pm

Someone already said it. However, I agree. Tamora Pierce for strong young heroes and heroines.

Lorri Says:

July 31st, 2008, 12:17 pm

Some of my favorites:
The BFG by Roald Dahl - SOOOO funny You can’t go wrong with Roald Dahl
The Monster Ring by Colville
There is an old series by Burghess (?) - Sammy Jay, Freddy Fox, Old Mother West Wind stories - they are WONDERFUL
Mrs Piggle WIggle - funny stories about kid troubles - very engaging.
Any Beverly Cleary
Everyone knows what a Dragon Looks LIke - The illustrations are gorgeous!
Lorri

Debbi Says:

July 31st, 2008, 12:22 pm

@Leo Oh, thank goodness, I’m so glad to hear you do go to the library. As I recall, you live somewhere outside the states (?) and in the U.S., many avid readers take the public library for granted–even tend to forget it’s there.

Sad, but true.

Samira al Thores Says:

July 31st, 2008, 12:46 pm

Reading is freedom. If you can read (and comprehend), you are not dependent upon anyone else for your knowledge. You don’t have to believe what other people tell you - you can find out for yourself and make reasoned, informed decisions about your life and the world.

Great blog.

Tara P Says:

July 31st, 2008, 12:53 pm

You’re the best parent…very inspiring.

I too recommend “His Dark Materials” series and any of the series by Tamara Pierce. Loved the “Bartimaeus Trilogy”.

For your 15 year-old daughter, there’s a slightly more mature but not too adult series by Garth Nix, “The Abhorson Series.” It’s one of my all time favorites. He also is just in the middle of another series more suitable for your 10 year old perhaps. The first book of that one is “Mister Monday”.

For your younger kids, try a Peter Pan based series. I can’t remember the name of the series but I think one of the titles is “Peter and the Shadow Thieves.”

Karen Says:

July 31st, 2008, 14:13 pm

As a middle aged woman who reads young adult books, I highly recommend the Merlin’s youth series by T. A. Barron. http://www.tabarron.com/novels

Jesse Says:

July 31st, 2008, 15:25 pm

Some other good ones (for your 15-year-old)…The Giver by Lois Lowry, Orson Wells and George Orwell, Stephen King, John Grisham, and EVERY teen in my mind should read Go Ask Alice (and feel free to ask questions of their parents later) - it’s about the pitfalls of getting into drugs and is something I’d NEVER have read if my father hadn’t made me, but it gave me a COMPLETELY different outlook on abuse of that kind.

As far as younger kids, Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Spellsinger series, Inkheart series, the Septimus Heap series (Magyk, Flyte, etc), the Alvin Maker series, Little Women, and Mercedes Lackey’s Elemental Masters series (which is sort of a semi-historical style retelling of children’s fairy tales - Snow White set in Victorian London with the “dwarves” being Indian companions to a Hindustani emmigrant doctor who has earth magic).

As far as the littlest ones? Can’t ever go wrong with Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat Beginner Series books (Go, Dog. Go! is on my desk right this moment for my 3 year old!)

Avi Marcus Says:

July 31st, 2008, 15:45 pm

Ah flow state and reading - exactly what I am doing lots of with photoreading!
Seriously, normal reading as you are taught in schools is supposed to end at 2nd grade or something like that. You need to keep improving how you read.
I have thrown myself into photoreading these past 2 weeks (no workshops though..) and find it an awesome toolkit. From relaxing to enter the flow state to the tools for reading and pulling what you want out of it (more useful for non-fiction, I suppose) its really great.

michelle Says:

July 31st, 2008, 15:52 pm

“— not the falling, but the getting back up.”
reminds me of my favorite proverb:

fall down 7 times, get up 8.

morgin1013 Says:

July 31st, 2008, 16:08 pm

I love all the suggestions for new books to try. I read the Harry Potter series to my son and then eventually when he was old enough I had him read it to me. We loved the series and have been looking for something to replace it. Now we’ve got some great suggestions.

You are doing such a great thing for your kids teaching them to love books. There’s so many place books can take you even if you never leave the house. Neither of my parents were readers (not sure I’ve ever seen either read a book) but one of the best things my Dad did for me growing up was recognize that I did love to read and would take me to the book store once a month and tell me you have 30 minutes to pick 10 books and then whatever I had in my hands after 30 minutes we took home. And I always looked forward to the next trip to the store so I would read them all as fast as I could. Now I do the same for my son and hopefully he’ll do the same for his children.

Linda Says:

July 31st, 2008, 16:12 pm

How about the Chronicles of Narnia for the next series?

Makico Says:

July 31st, 2008, 17:04 pm

Hi, I read Harry Potter VII some months ago and I was so very disappointed!
Not that the book was bad, but it was a kids’ book, and I grew up somewhere around the Goblet of Fire. Of course, it doesn’t mean that you won’t like it, I was just sooo very disapointed in some characters and outraged by the ‘great reveal’ that I somehow saw coming books away… The people that *SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER*!!! And the idiocy of *SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER*! Nope, I’ll just have to write some FixFiction to set things right!

I also read a lot of the books other readers recommended and some of them should also be read for the first time by a child (Narnia comes to mind, or the books by R.A.Salvatore). Otherwise it’s just not the same. :(
But your 15 year old daughter just might enjoy A Song of Ice and Fire by G.R.R.Martin. It is very serious deconstruction of fantasy setting, but I was 17 when I first read it and I loved it. Then I waited a couple of years and gave it to my sister Ana (then 14) and she loved it too. And it’s still my favorite series

Emma Says:

July 31st, 2008, 17:06 pm

I have one author for you. Orson Scott Card. Start out with Ender’s Game and continue on with Speaker for the Dead and then possibly Xenocide. The books are sci-fi, but not very technical. Mostly they are about people and relationships. And Ender’s Game is a great book for teens since it really emphasizes that it is OK and even good to be different, but it does so in a subtle way.

Sarah Says:

July 31st, 2008, 17:34 pm

To Richard:
There are studies that say that reading to your child from birth (and even in the womb) has benefits so don’t feel like you have to wait! :)

To Sara:
I love the Harry Potter books too and I found a wonderful series by Jenny Nimmo called Children of the Red King. I highly recommend it to anyone who is sad that Harry and his friends are done having adventures.

Arietta Says:

July 31st, 2008, 17:45 pm

As for suggestions for book series, I found Robin Hobb’s trilogies wonderful. My favourite one is “The Liveship Traders Trilogy”, but the others are great too.
http://www.robinhobb.com/books-main.html

(”The Tawny Man Trilogy” is a 20 years later continuation to “The Farseer Trilogy” and is in a loose and spicy way connected to “The Liveship Traders Trilogy”).

Anita Says:

July 31st, 2008, 17:56 pm

Well I was going to suggest C.S.Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, as well as Christopher Paolini’s Eragon..etc but I see they were already suggested. My final suggestion isn’t a series but an author. Look into books by Jodi Picoult. They are very well written, incredibly interesting and GREAT for discussion afterwards. Bonus, they deal alot with real life, hard decsions especially dealing with families, teens and their parents, life in general.

Rissa Says:

July 31st, 2008, 18:01 pm

Reading with kids sounds like a wonderful habit! I’m newly married and my husband and I are thinking about starting a large family a few years down the line. Did you by any chance adopt any of your kids?

Leo Says:

July 31st, 2008, 18:52 pm

SO many good book recommendations! I’ve read some of them myself, but have forgotten to read them to my kids … and some of the newer series sound great! Thanks so much everyone!

@Rissa: I didn’t adopt any of my kids, but two of them are actually step-children … my wife had two kids from a previous relationship, and two of my kids are also from a previous marriage. Add to that the two kids I have with my current wife, and we have quite a hodge-podge! But a large family, although it’s not something I’d dreamed of early in life, is quite a wonderful thing in my experience.

Hilary Says:

July 31st, 2008, 19:30 pm

Two great series for young adults (and adults) that haven’t been mentioned are The Once and Future King by T.H. White (story of King Arthur) and the Earthsea books by Ursula LeGuin. Once and Future King is actually 4 books, the first of which (The Sword in the Stone) is very kid-friendly but which subsequently get much more mature. Taken together it’s IMO the best version of King Arthur ever, and also a deeply moving, eternally classic novel. The Earthsea books started with a trilogy aimed at young adults (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, and The Farthest Shore), but later LeGuin added Tehanu, Tales from Earthsea, and The Other Wind, bringing her original standard-of-fantasy into a new and more unsettling focus. They are brilliant, resonant and thought-provoking. Both of these series would be “desert island” books for me as I’ve re-read them countless times with increasing enjoyment as I get older.

LeGuin has a new series which is excellent (Powers, Voices, Gifts) and TH White wrote at least one other major yet little-know classic, Mistress Masham’s Repose, which is also one of the funniest novels ever.

Good post, Leo, and have fun reading with your kids! Some of my fondest memories of my dad are him reading to us. It’s a priceless joy.

Laura Says:

July 31st, 2008, 20:15 pm

Wheee! Book thread! (among other things!)

Hmmm… most of my suggestions have been mentioned already: Narnia, Dark Materials, Lord of the Rings, Eragon, even Earthsea, and a spiritual favorite of mine: The Once and Future King. The mention of Little House on the Prairie made me think, “Oh yeah, that one too!”

Some I haven’t seen mentioned yet, if we’re to continue the fantasy trend: The Arthurian series written by Mary Stewart (The Crystal Cave/The Hollow Hills/The Last Enchantment/The Wicked Day) is good, but perhaps for an older teen audience due to some frank (but not generally graphic) mentions of sex and violence, the brutal realities of life in Dark Ages Britain. Pre-teens and younger teens might also enjoy the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. As a younger kid I enjoyed the McGurk mysteries by E.W. Hildick; I have no idea whether any of these are in print anymore.

Teresa Says:

July 31st, 2008, 20:27 pm

I haven’t read the other comments so don’t know if it’s already been recommended, but I think you and your children would really enjoy the His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman.