Monday Musings – National Reading Month – 7 Ways to Celebrate

 

It’s National Reading Month! That’s right March is celebrated as National Reading Month. It’s a good excuse to curl up with a good book, relax, and tune out everything around you. Think of it as a form of self-care.

In addition to reading, there are other ways you can celebrate reading month. Below is a list of 7 Ways to celebrate National Reading Month.

1.      Support local bookstores.

2.      Read to a child.

When my sons were in elementary school, their school had a program called D.E.A.R. which stands for Drop Everything And Read. They had designated times during the day allotted for this program. There was also a day where parents could visit the school and read to the class, or maybe that was a different program I’m thinking about. Either way, reading to a child or with them can open their minds to new things.

3.      Listen to an audio book. I like listening to an audio book when I have a long drive somewhere. It helps the drive go by faster. On a recent four-hour drive to a conference, I listened to one of my favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark. It was a good “Whodunit” mystery. In case you’re interested, the title of the book is Where Are You Now?

4.      Host a reading challenge – set a goal for the month and invite friends and family to join in. Have a prize or celebration at the end of your challenge. Better yet, reward yourself. Purchase a new book, a book light, or something else bookish.

5.      Follow an author – learn more about your favorite writers and explore their works. You could even try reading something by an author new to you or read a different genre than you typically read.

6.      Start a reading journal – keep track of the books you’ve read and write down favorite quotes or reflections.

7.      Write a book review – share your thoughts on a recent book, to help others discover great books.

Just for kicks and giggles here are some book related jokes I came across while surfing the internet.

1.      Why did the book join the police?

It wanted to go undercover!

 

2.      What’s a book’s favorite drink?

Tequila Mockingbird.

 

3.      Why don’t books ever get cold?

They wear book jackets.

 

No matter how you participate, National Reading Month is an exciting time to embrace the joy of books and lifelong learning.

Fun Friday – Women’s History Month – 10 Fun Ways to Celebrate

 

It’s Women’s History Month!  During the month of March make time to celebrate the women in your life.

Think about someone in your life who has impacted you in a positive way, call them up and tell them. Better yet, invite them and a few friends to celebrate together.

Below is a list of 10 ways to celebrate Women’s History Month.

1.      Visit a Museum or Exhibit – explore women’s history through art and cultural exhibitions.

2.      Create a Themed Movie Night – watch movies directed by or about influential women.

3.      Play a Women’s History Trivia Game

4.      Listen to Female-Led Podcasts.

5.      Read Books by Women Authors.

6.      Cook a Meal Inspired by a Woman Chef.

7.      Support Women Owned Business.

8.      Volunteer for Women’s Causes – help organizations focused on women’s empowerment, health or education.

9.      Highlight Women in Your Community.

10  Host a Women’s History Comedy Night – attend a stand-up comedy show, featuring female comedians.

My motto is, “A laugh a day keeps stress at bay.”  With this motto in mind, I encourage you to take a break from your everyday routine and drop in at a comedy show.