What are you reading right now? (possible RotE spoilers)

[Farseer]

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On a slightly related note to your locals not going to the library, I think Tasmania has the highest rate of adults who are illiterate. My boyfriend said he'd never had anyone come into the store he works at and ask for him to read something to them before we moved here and now it's happened many times!

Having spent my entire adult life teaching and encouraging my little family of readers, that is such a sad thing to hear !!! Of all the things I have done for my kids over the years, the gift of reading is my number one 'I feel really good about that' thing (some others being successfully breastfeeding, fostering in them a fully-functioning conscience and developing a solid educational foundation coupled with an ethusiastic work ethic ).

When my boys began their schooling from the age of five, we had an entire house that served as our schoolhouse and we christened it, 'The Language House'...possibly a bit of an overkill but you can safely say that I gave reading a high priority in all areas of our life! My favourite book quote says it best and it took pride of place in our schoolroom for many, many years:

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.”

-Charles W. Elliot

My husband could read, but wasn't a reader, when we began our journey together as teenagers...and it is just such a special feeling to know that he now reads all manner of novels and books, thanks to lots of encouragement over the last twenty years (yes, he's even read Robin's books up to Fool's Errand, despite not being a fantasy fan at all!).

I just cannot imagine a life without language in it...and wonder at the idiocy of our world that we have all of this 'stuff' in it but there are still people without the basic needs and tools for life, and we let that go unchecked.