Reading as a Writer

I don’t remember the time before I was a reader, just as I don’t remember the time before I was a writer. I’ve always read for the joy of it. Now, as a published author, I read for a number of other reasons as well, but the joy, if I look for it, is still there.
It’s one of the reasons I don’t have much patience for people who think they should write a book but can’t remember the last one they read once that wasn’t assigned in high school or college. People who say “I’m going to revolutionize [genre]!” without ever having read a book in that genre. People who claim proudly that they’re the first to write a book that addresses a certain situation or worldview without doing the research to figure out how many books exist in that space already.
https://writerunboxed.com/2026/03/02/reading-as-a-writer/

#Process #Writinglife #loveofreading #reading #readingasawriter

Federal funding cuts could impact South #Mississippi #library services

Aug. 7, 2025

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - "The Harrison County Library System is asking for support to prevent further federal budget cuts.

"If a new round of federal funding cuts is approved, it would impact the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which is a federal agency and a major source of funding for local libraries.

"South Mississippi library officials said that cuts at the federal level could result in a loss of various services.

" 'We don’t want this to happen,' said Sarah Crisler-Ruskey, Director of the Harrison County Library System. “This will impact our ability to serve our patrons.'

"The federal funding helps provide #DigitalMaterials, #InterLibraryLoans to share books from other Mississippi #libraries, and grants for technology and programs.

" 'Libraries also help patrons access the #TalkingBook service. So if they are visually impaired or have a physical reason they can not hold a book, this is a free service that is funded by the same money,' said Crisler-Ruskey.

"The Harrison County Library System is asking people to contact their Mississippi congressmen and senators and let them know that the library is important to them."

https://www.wlox.com/2025/08/07/federal-funding-cuts-could-impact-south-mississippi-library-services/

#LibrariesRule #USPol #FundingCuts #LibrariesAreEssential #LibraryCuts
#LibraryServices #LoveOfReading
#BuildingCommunity #Literacy #SupportingResearch
#CriticalThinkingSkills

Shhhhh... 🤫 #UK - #Librarians told not to express views on cuts

by John Wimperis, 8/8/2025

"Librarians have been asked not to express their views on cuts to the service while at work or within a #library.

"All libraries run by #NorthSomerset Council are under threat of reduced hours and three have been earmarked for closure.

"The move comes after the council announced it was axing its annual spending on libraries by £433k.

"When asked why librarians were being told not to talk to journalists about the cuts, North Somerset Council said librarians were just following the standard practice."

Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cev200y3j3zo

#LibrariesRule #LibrariesAreEssential #LibraryCuts #LibraryServices #UKPol #ScotlandPol #LoveOfReading #BuildingCommunity #Literacy #SupportingResearch #CriticalThinkingSkills

#Scotland - #Librarian cuts at #Glasgow schools will 'rob kids of opportunities' as #SNP Government urged to intervene

EXCLUSIVE: #Labour warned library cuts on Scotland's largest local authority risked worsening the country's 'shameful attainment gap'.

Chris McCall Deputy Political Editor, 02 Aug 2025

Excerpt: "Glasgow Life, which manages the library service for the council, is proposing to take 16 librarians out of the city's education system. The plans would see the school service headed up by a principal librarian along with three area-based librarians, while an 'assistant' would be placed in high schools.

"An online petition against the cuts and shared among parents has since been signed more than 1,300 times.

"Joy McLean said she was concerned about how a decline in #LibraryServices would impact her daughter and other pupils. '#Librarians are essential #educators who foster a love of #reading, support research and #DigitalLiteracy, and help students thrive #academically and personally,' she added."

Read more:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/librarian-cuts-glasgow-schools-rob-35659625

#LibrariesRule! #EducationCuts #ScotlandPol #LoveOfReading #BuildingCommunity #Literacy #SupportingResearch #CriticalThinkingSkills

Whether you read for escapism, inspiration, or just pure enjoyment, we all have our own special reading superpower. What's yours? 🤔

#ReadingSuperpowers #LoveOfReading #BookishLife #WildFlintBooks

Check out our Bonus Podcast Episode where we launch our new school programme, D.E.A.R to encourage a love of reading for our students.

#podcasthighlights #education #readingprogramme #loveofreading #learntodayleadtomorrow

Going to my niece’s baby shower in a few weeks. I always like to add a board book to the main gift, I try to get something my son liked as a toddler — this time I got Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers because he adored that one, and I adored reading him Oliver Jeffers books in general (I may or may not have kept reading his new releases after my son finally outgrew picture books 😂)

#books #PictureBooks #LoveOfReading

Has anyone delved into #josiahbancroft 's #BooksOfBabel series? I found all four at a thrift store today. They seem like they're in brand new condition and sounded quite interesting as a premise. Really couldn't pass on a complete set!

#ThriftStoreFind #thriftbooks #books #bookstodon #reading #loveofreading #fantasybooks

Absolutely thrilled with my lastest #thriftstorefinds with this lot of books. Another #StarTrekVoyager book for my set. A couple additional #witcher novels and an elusive collection of #SherlockHomes along side some neat #deathstranding novels. Awesome afternoon of hunting!

#books #bookstodon #reading #loveofreading #thrifting #thriftstore

Today in assembly, the children shared their favourite stories and why they love them.

Thank you for sharing 😊
#loveofreading Focus Trust