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Original poster

How to get teenager to read

33 replies

123teenagerfood · 04/09/2024 20:55

I'm a prolific reader, from birth. My husband reads 2 books a year. My son sees me reading all the time, he is exposed to books on a daily basis, we read to him every night and loved it as a young child. He has read a number of classics and modern classics, I found him reading Sylvia Plath poems the other day. But unless I suggest a book or ask him what he would like to read, he just doesn't bother. He is currently reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle and says he likes it. How can I cultivate a love of reading? We have a library at home, he generally chills in it, he is well read but only as I set out books and he chooses. We go to the library and he gets books as well. Maybe I am asking too much?

OP posts:
Original poster
123teenagerfood · 05/09/2024 07:52

DelilahBucket · 04/09/2024 21:21

A reader from birth eh? That's some talent. In all seriousness though, some kids just don't enjoy reading. I read constantly, DS doesn't. He still flew through his GCSEs so it doesn't really matter. He's still really clever, he's just more into numbers than words.

Just emphasising my love of reading. He is really clever, a straight A student in all subjects and has won student of the year 3 years running. His teachers comment on how well read he is at parents evening, I just don't get it.

OP posts:
Original poster
123teenagerfood · 05/09/2024 07:49

Lifelover16 · 04/09/2024 21:25

How old is your teenager? Do you let him choose books completely by himself, or only from those “you have set out free him” ? Sylvia Plath seems an unusual choice for a teenage boy.
Does he like non fiction? Something light and fun eg Guinness Book of Records, autobiographies of people he admires - pop stars, sportspeople etc? Books about gaming, IT, ? Terry Pratchett Discworld series, Philip Pullman Dark Materials, or even Tolkien?
Even if not particularly well written or worthy the entertainment value might spark more of an interest in books and reading.

He is 14, I take him to the library and bookshops, he's just not really interested. I've suggested books around subjects he likes, he is maths and science minded. I do let him choose. He has read some TP, Pullman, Harry Potter and Tolkien, he just seems a bit 'meh' about books. Sylvia Plath was just lying around and he had picked it up out of interest.

OP posts:
Lifelover16 · 04/09/2024 21:25

How old is your teenager? Do you let him choose books completely by himself, or only from those “you have set out free him” ? Sylvia Plath seems an unusual choice for a teenage boy.
Does he like non fiction? Something light and fun eg Guinness Book of Records, autobiographies of people he admires - pop stars, sportspeople etc? Books about gaming, IT, ? Terry Pratchett Discworld series, Philip Pullman Dark Materials, or even Tolkien?
Even if not particularly well written or worthy the entertainment value might spark more of an interest in books and reading.

DelilahBucket · 04/09/2024 21:21

A reader from birth eh? That's some talent. In all seriousness though, some kids just don't enjoy reading. I read constantly, DS doesn't. He still flew through his GCSEs so it doesn't really matter. He's still really clever, he's just more into numbers than words.

Zonder · 04/09/2024 21:10

See if he would like information books about things he is into.

purpleme12 · 04/09/2024 21:08

I don't know but it really made me smile reading 'I'm a prolific reader, from birth' 😂😊

ErrolTheDragon · 04/09/2024 21:07

Some people just aren't into fiction, doesn't mean they're not well rounded individuals.
Some people like various different types of nonfiction books, others might prefer to listen to podcasts or audio books or watch content rather than read.

Irridescantshimmmer · 04/09/2024 21:06

Finding books that inspire and intrigue your DS, perhaps a kindle or if not maybe a trip out to a bookshop. (Waterstones)..... To me, that sounds like fun, maybe he just needs to see what is out there.

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