I'm an Adult - Why Am I Reading Childrens' Books?

Let's face it - some of the best writers being published today are writing for children (or young adults). You only have to mention Phillip Pullman (His Dark Materials) or J.K.Rowling ( Harry Potter) to see what we mean.
There is a long tradition of children's books being read and loved by adults.
Alice in Wonderland, Swallows and Amazons, Black Beauty are all classics that were originally written for children. In fact, you will find that more adults have read 'The Wind in the Willows' than children.
For the really sensitive, there are 'Adult Versions' of Harry Potter, or 'The Dog That Barked In The Nightime', but to be honest, there is no shame attached to reading these books. They are all very good books. As are Eoin Colfer's 'Artemis Fowl' books. In fact, sci-fi and fantasy prove fertile ground for cross-over books - see Garth Nix for example. And the 'Twilight' series of teenage-vampire-romance (now there's a genre!) appears to be enjoyed by adults and teens alike. There are even websites and forums dedicated to the books for adult fans.
'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' by John Boyne is a spare and powerfully affecting story of the Holocaust aimed at younger readers but which has meaning for older readers too. And adults and children can read this book in different ways, not least because adults will know more of the background and can see the whole picture, in a way that younger readers probably wouldn't.
Writing for younger readers often means that the writer is forced to use a greater clarity and simpler language in order to get his or her message across. At its best, this can make for a shining simplicity of prose that can almost blend into poetry.
I will never forget a ghastly rain-drenched holiday in Florida only made bearable by reading Pullman's masterly saga for 2 weeks! Whenever I think of 'The Subtle Knife', I hear thunder and heavy rain! Many people enjoy these books because they can be entertaining and insightful, without being too 'heavy' or 'difficult' in the sense that a lot of adult fiction can be.
If you haven't tried these books before, perhaps because you thought they were only for kids, why not give them a go?

The Importance of Reading Books to Children

It is surprising but true; in today's technology-dependent world, little focus is being placed on the importance of reading to kids. Getting children book selections and reading to kids is important now if the children are to develop a desire for reading in the future or for the long term. Kids books and reading are a vital component for brain development too; the more a child reads, the easier it is to learn new material and to assimilate it into his or her learning.
Book reading is definitively an important factor in every child's life. Book reading opens new doors for children allowing them to explore other parts of the world, new ideas, new concepts, new cultures, and novel innovations. Reading to kids when they are young instills the joy of discovery in children and encourages children to want to learn and/or to read more in later years. Kids books are filled with wonderful tales, characters, and adventures: these are memories that kids will have for the rest of their lives.
Book reading teaches children how to do new things, how to handle life situations, how to develop morals, and how to forever remain curious about the world. Parents that are reading to kids are giving their children a vital educational gift since a lifelong love of reading can make the child's life more successful, happy, and full. While it is true that the Internet is becoming a learning resource for children, it is equally true that a good reading ability is needed to actually harness the educational offerings on the Internet. Thus, book reading should come first, and an appreciation of the Internet and technology should come second.
Kids books are inexpensive, and a visit to the library can result in access to a free book to read, so there is no reason why parents should not be reading to kids. It is possible to get a children book title right online too; there are many free classical kids books online which can be read directly from the website or which can be downloaded into an eBook reader for reading enjoyment. Still, nothing beats the moment when parents share quality time with their children reading to kids in person. The act of reading to kids becomes a way to develop a close parent child relationship while simultaneously promoting a love of reading.

How to Choose a Speed Reading Book

The increasing need to absorb a bulk of information has led to the proportional increase in the popularity of speed reading. This skill can help you read faster and understand better. If you want to enhance your reading speed and comprehension rate, you may consider buying some books for your reference. These books will serve as handy tools and helpful partners as you devote yourself to this aspect of personal and professional development. There are several books being sold in bookstores and in schools that you can choose from.

You can use these books as reference for techniques on that skill and enhancing your memory. Aside from the tips and tricks, these books will also teach you how to make the environment conducive for rapid reading.

Your collection of speed reading books may also include those books that you will surely enjoy reading. Learning will not bore you down because you will certainly enjoy the drills, exercises and tests in these books. You can also try out those books based on the actual experiences of the author in teaching, researching and developing speed reading programs and interventions. Some of the books also highlight salient concepts such as retention, note taking and many others.

The speed reading books that also focus on the essential highlights such as techniques on minimizing eye strain that can be caused by excessive and continuous reading are highly recommended for anybody interested in that skill. You should also look for books and reference materials that make speed reading applicable to all aspects of life. These references should offer an innovative approach to rapid reading that individuals, regardless of their field or profession, will find it easy to understand.

These are just some of the criteria you should look for in these books that you may pick out. You can check your nearest bookstore for other options. What is more important is for you to apply what you have learned from these books. These books that talk about that skill are also available in different forms. E-books and audio books are now becoming more popular.