There are so many to choose from - books.
And they all have stories inside.
How do I decide which one I want to read next?
I was a Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) volunteer for a number of years. I connected books with the children who would love them best. I talked about the stories, I read them snippets, I gave advice on how to pick a book and then I let them loose to choose their free book.
I taught them to choose books the way I do - with my five senses.
SIGHT - Do I like the cover? The font? The size of the type? The color of the pages? Is there artwork within the story? Do I want the big, thick, LONG book, or do I need a light, thin one? Are there lots of words, chapters? Am I okay with that today?
SOUND - Do I like the sound of the title in my ears? What about when I fan through the pages? Is it a nice sound?
SMELL - How does this book smell? If I am going to curl up into a ball and read it, will the smell make me happy or give me a headache?
TOUCH - How does this book fit in my hands? Do I want a hardcover? A mass-market paperback or a trade paperback? Do I like the feel of a glossy cover or a matte cover? Can I take off the book jacket if I want to while reading? Can I turn the pages easily enough? How much give is there in the binding? Can I keep it open comfortably?
TASTE - I am not going to put this book in my mouth, but is it my style? Do I like this genre, author, reading level, story? Will I enjoy reading this tale? Did someone else like it before me?
And I do choose a book this way - based on cover, title, how it feels in my hands, the smell of the ink and paper, reviews...
After all, all books have stories.
Which one do I want to read next?
