No TV

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #1 30-10-2009, 08:45 PM

I'm so happy, I just had to share this.
My boys have had no TV for the last week.
Do you know what they're doing instead?
READING!!
This morning, driving them to school, both had their heads buried in their BOOKS!!
This is a real turn around for Jack, who has never shown any real interest in the written word.
He's really enjoying the Andy McNab novels.
Tom is right into the Harry Potter series.

leon · #2 30-10-2009, 09:13 PM

Yes JJJ, T.V. has a lot to answer for, there should be 2 T.V. free days each week I reckon, not that I am really interested in T.V. anyway, with all that American rubbish.

Leon

Dennis · #3 30-10-2009, 09:32 PM

That’s terrific new Jeanette – there’s nothing like a good, solid read. We have bookcases and shelves spilling over with books and it’s great to be able to dip into them; just like meeting old friends!

Cheers

Dennis

Rodstar (Rod) · #4 30-10-2009, 09:47 PM

That mirrors my recent experience with the kids.

I took our three kids (ages 6, 8 and 11) to stay in a mud brick hut with no electricity in Coonabarabran last week. I was a tad concerned about how they would cope without TV and internet for a week. By midweek, Noah, aged 8, said, "Dad, when we get back home, can we get rid of the television?" Two of my three spent lots of time reading and model making, and the youngest spend time with daddy doing lots of watercolours.

h0ughy (David) · #5 30-10-2009, 09:50 PM

well done - my daughter can go through a harry potter in a day. my son - could take a long time he doesnt read very much yet - drag him kicking and screaming LOL

Davros (Lauren) · #6 30-10-2009, 10:05 PM

Brilliant, I had a very good teacher in grade 7 who rewarded the 5 kids who read the most books in the year with a night out at pizza hut. I loved it and it was a great way to encourage. I read obsessively now thanks to her.

mozzie (Peter) · #7 30-10-2009, 10:09 PM

everything in moderation jjj did you get the little ones in the eyepiece during the week?
mozzie

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #8 30-10-2009, 10:15 PM

no, haven't had the scope out for many days.

seanliddelow (Sean) · #9 30-10-2009, 10:25 PM

I love reading. I began reading the Da Vinci code when I was 12 and I read the last harry potter in a day. Now Im 14 and Dan brown is still my favourite author ( I read Lost Symbol a couple weeks ago). Maybe it would be a good book for your kids when they are older.

Esseth (Alan) · #10 30-10-2009, 10:41 PM

The only shows i really watch on TV are on Discovery Channel, History Channel, Discovery Science and BBC Knowledge.... and my guilty pleasure Sci-Fi

However i read whenever i find a good book that grabs me. Latest ones were The Wolf of Wall Street and the sequel. My downfall when it comes to reading, im to fussy.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #11 30-10-2009, 10:49 PM

Once Jack finishes the book he's on, I'll see how he like the Da Vinci Code.
Thanks for the suggestion.

seanliddelow (Sean) · #12 30-10-2009, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Once Jack finishes the book he's on, I'll see how he like the Da Vinci Code.
Thanks for the suggestion.

It may be a bit hard to read how old is he?

Clarry (Clayton) · #13 31-10-2009, 12:42 AM

As an avid reader from a very young age, I would like to recommend a few books that I consider to be perfect for those new to reading.
1. The Power of One - Bryce Courtney
2. Interview with a Vampire - Anna Rice
3. Any of the Hornblower series - C.S. Forrester
4. Anything by Issac Asimov if you have the slightest interest in Sci-Fi.
Bit of an eclectic selection but I think they're real page turners.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #14 31-10-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanliddelow

It may be a bit hard to read how old is he?

Jack will be 13 in March.

kinetic (Steve) · #15 31-10-2009, 07:26 AM

How do you think you would go without IIS for a week Jeanette?

Steve

spearo (Frank) · #16 31-10-2009, 07:42 AM

Aside from classics (Dante, Homer etc...)
Consider Douglas Adams for a young teen perhaps?
There's the Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy books but also a couple of really warped detective books and one (the only one i haven't read yet) on species going extinct or something like that)

frank

Esseth (Alan) · #17 31-10-2009, 07:44 AM

The Wheel of Time series is what got me into reading a ton when i was younger, still an amazing series today.

Like harry potter but that bit more older and less emo.

(and it will keep them out of your hair for months being an 11 book series...so far)

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #18 31-10-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kinetic

How do you think you would go without IIS for a week Jeanette?

Steve

I did that a few weeks ago, didn't you notice my absence.

I cheated only a little bit. I went once to an internet cafe and had a 15 minute fix.
And one very kind IIS member rang me up and gave me all the gossip I was missing out on. You know, what new goodies are in the Buy and Sell, the news about WiFi etc We junkies understand each others needs.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #19 31-10-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearo

Aside from classics (Dante, Homer etc...)
Consider Douglas Adams for a young teen perhaps?
There's the Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy books but also a couple of really warped detective books and one (the only one i haven't read yet) on species going extinct or something like that)

frank

Dirk Gentlys Holistic Detective Agency, Last Chance to See and The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul.
He was an excellent writer. Very similar to Ben Elton. Full on funny yet profound.
Thanks. I have all those in my book case.
Robert A Heinleins juveniles are very good too.
If Jack likes Andy McNabs "Boy Soldier" series, he may like Starship Trooper. Have Spacesuit Will Travel, Space Family Stone, Time For the Stars. All rollicking good reads.

BerrieK · #20 31-10-2009, 10:53 AM

Jeannete the boys might enjoy the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett (yes I have read them all). Funny,clever, a bit of science here and there, a lot of fantasy there and here, wizards, trolls / vampires / warewolves / other fantastic creatures, a bit of action and mystery, and a good roll on the floor laughing.

But of course everyone likes to promote their favorite reads don't they LOL.

VIVA no TV for kids. Mine (kids that is) are always happier, calmer and just nicer people when they are banned for whatever reason.

Kerrie