I've just seen a lovely thing that is not as common anymore

[ilovemynails]

We have been on holiday to Tenerife. At the airport coming home there was a British family.
Mum, Dad and 3 children who looked between 10 and 14 and each one was reading a proper book.
No phones or tablets in sight.

They probably couldn't afford a tablet or phone after paying the fine to take their kids out of school in term time.

First poster wins the thread!

Or used up all their data

Would you be as impressed if you saw me with my DC with each of us reading on our phone, tablet or kindle?
I wouldn't dream of taking paper books travelling with me - too heavy, too bulky, too expensive.

That's not exactly unusual where I live (South London).
Go in Waterstones on a weekend and it's always busy in the children's/YA section.
A few years back used to help at the primary school Scholastic Book Fairs....it was practically a riot with children begging their parents for books.

Well, reading on an e-ink reader is proper reading too, although not as likely to delight passers-by.

None of these. 2 paperbacks don't weigh much ot take up much room, and can cost hardly anything if like me you get them from the charity shop or library

There’s no WiFi on the plane, so that is one place DS will happily read a magazine… much too hyperactive to read in the departure lounge, though I do regularly see other kids reading there so it isn’t that rare.

But if I were going on holiday for a week, I would need at least twenty hefty paperbacks, as a fast reader. Certainly they're cheap, but not light, which is why I have a Kindle for travelling.

My Kindle has more than paid for itself as I've rarely paid more than 99 p for a book in the last 15 years and I read dozens of books a year.

Plus the convenience of it being lighter, able to read in the dark and also in the bath/spa as it's waterproof.

It's reading that's a lovely thing, not the medium by which it's done.

Sure, although I'm a voracious reader using the kindle app on my phone - you wouldn't know if I was scrolling through tik tok or reading.

Most 'readers' would get through more than 2 books in a week and trawling round charity shops/trying to get to the library during limited opening times isn't achievable for a lot of people.

I agree it is a pleasant thing to see, though would be more notable if that happens in someone's home. Not that you will see it.

Two paperbacks is nowhere near enough for a week though.

Really? I take at least two - lightweight paperbacks that cost £1 at the charity shop.

Libraries in my area have Open Access when the library is unstaffed but still available to use by members so they're accessible around 12 or more hours a day

I actually avoid paper books completely if I can. Most books, outside of libraries, are read by no more than 1 or 2 people, total waste of paper. And yes, in this day and age, space on planes is a huge issue so the 3-4 books I'd want to read on holiday would take up too much space. Also, I like the fleibilibilty to pick and choose.

The point is that I read a LOT and I read all the time but OP wouldn't know that when seeing me in an airport.

Two books is nowhere near enough for a week.

Or they were homeschooled

Is it really that rare? My children and I read books (husband doesn’t) and I often see children reading books out and about.

Unrelated but I saw a dog carrying a newspaper the other day and felt that was a lovely thing you rarely see any more.

As a child the paperboy used to drop the newspaper off by handing it to the dog who proudly ran in with it.

This. Half my suitcase was taken up with books. Until my DH bought me a kindle. Best thing ever.

Why are people trying to pretend that this isn't rare, and lovely? It is both (@Iwanttobeafraser you reading your kindle is also great, I have one too)

Well that depends on the person. It’s enough for me because I actually read less on holiday as I’m generally busier every day. For someone lying on a sun lounger all week it wouldn’t be enough. Some prefer books and some prefer kindles 🤷🏻‍♀️

God yes. Also, literally every single time we were on our way out the door to go away for a weekend/on holiday, I would be frantically trying to decide which and how many books I could possibly cram in and DH would be screaming 'We're going to miss our flight/train/lift!' The existential relief of being able to have so many books with me is HUGE!