The Readers' Contract

Well, now would be a great time to discuss what I like to call the "Readers' Contract."

Everyone who knows me, knows that I suffer from a number of mental disorders, the least of which is OCD, or Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder.  This is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health in the following way:  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these so-called "rituals," however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety.

One of my obsessive behaviors has to do with reading.  I am fueled by a compulsion, once a book is started, to FINISH IT!  I often have a very difficult time setting aside a book I do not like.  And, I will often not read at all, rather than begin a new book which I DO want to read.  It's a very frustrating state of being for someone who genuinely enjoys reading! 

So, I was genuinely thrilled when I was told by another teacher that she has her students sign a "Readers' Contract" at the beginning of the year, and that rule number one in the contract reads as follows:  Every reader has the right to stop reading any book at any time if he/she is not enjoying the reading of the book with the exception of text books, books being read for research of a particular subject, as well as books assigned by the teacher to serve a specific purpose (for example: a class-required novel).

In other words, if you're reading for enjoyment, and you're not enjoying the reading....STOP IT!!

SO, with that said...I did not enjoy reading The Sweet Far Thing and have thus, STOPPED READING IT!!  It's a big step for me.

I am beginning City of Bones by Cassandra Clare today.  I'll keep you posted.