Ms. Veronika’s Corner

Reading During the Summer Vacation

Ms. Veronika Lambova, Primary Librarian

Most of us understand why reading is important and associate it with intelligence, but much like exercise, knowing something and doing it are two different things. Here are a few tips to ensure that you read during the summer holidays.

KEEP YOUR BOOKS WHERE YOU CAN SEE THEM

If you have plenty of books in your house but you never pick them up, look for opportunities to put books in places where you might be bored and a little bit trapped. Make sure that you have books in every room of the house – the bedroom, the kitchen, the living room, the dining room – make sure there’s no nook without a book!

RESIST THE GADGETS

What are the barriers to reading in your home? Many of you tend to reach for electronics before books, so find opportunities to limit access to those devices and reach for books instead. I am not suggesting going screen-free, but rather eliminate that shiny distraction as often as necessary to get a book in your hands.

READING IS READING

Comic books are books. Magazines are interesting and educational. Reading is reading, and anything that has words or pictures counts. Even audiobooks require following a story and visualizing the world in your head, making them a wonderful resource.

CHOOSE YOUR READS

During the school year, much of what you read will be decided by your teachers. Summer is when reading should be fun, loose, and a time where you can choose what to read.

ADD THE LIBRARY TO YOUR FAVOURITE SUMMER SPOTS

If you need help finding books of interest, why don’t you visit the public library? The Old Library in Dubai is a 50-year-old library and home to about 25,000 books, and is run by a strong community of volunteers. Summer is a great opportunity to develop good reading habits in a fun, relaxed environment. And it just may be the chance for you to fall in love with reading!