Blog 2: Reading in the Wild

Miller brings to light so many new perspectives emphasizing the importance of a good reading habit. A reading habit that has become engrained into are daily lives and is not a special event. Miller brought up the point of her facilitating independent reading versus dependent reading. I feel like I have become a dependent reader by continuously reading textbooks, articles, research information etc. All this forced reading over the years made me disinterested in reading for pleasure.

Especially in our modern society where even children are carrying around smart phones, use tablets and are born with these devices integrated into society. Miller talks about emergency reading and finding time whenever you can; she reads during the commercials of her TV show. A worry that I have is that anytime someone has a couple minutes (such as waiting for class to start) they will take out their phone and check social media. I am guilty of it too, but these devices are more stimulating, especially to kids when compared to books. I am worried it will be difficult to generate excitement for reading and methods like emergency reading will be substituted with less productive activities.

I am excited to use many of the strategies outlined in Reading in the Wild. We have just started the book and I feel my perspective of reading shifting already. This book will make a great addition to the resources I will use in the future!