September 6th is National Read a Book Day! It is a simple reminder of how powerful reading can be. But for my family and me, reading is about the memories built around them, the laughter shared, and the bonds that grow stronger with each story.
As a mom of two girls, books have become one of the most precious ways we connect as a family. They aren’t just stories on a page; they’re experiences we live together.
The Joy of Storytime with My Girls
One of my favorite parts of the day is storytime with my youngest daughter, Sydney. After a long day of running around due to school, preparing meals, and activities, curling up with a book together feels like hitting the pause button. Every single time, her whole face lights up as she listens to me read. Syd’s giggles, her reactions to the words, and pointing to the pictures that she is familiar with warm my heart.
My older daughter, Mya, is just as much of a book lover. When she was younger, we always went to our local library to pick books out. It’s fun to see it come full circle with her volunteering at that same library at the age of 15. Even though there’s a gap in age between my girls, the magic of reading connects them. Mya sometimes will read aloud to her little sister, and those moments mean the world to me. Watching them share that joy reminds me that these books are becoming part of our family story.
More Than Just Words
Reading with my daughters is about more than passing time. It’s about the way stories spark their imaginations.
Sydney’s emotions show after turning each page. Watching her learning to understand what is going on in each story we read now is fun to see! I see the joy on her face when she reacts to the characters in the book. For her, stories don’t stay on the page; they come alive.
Since Mya is older now, she takes a different approach. She thinks deeply about what she reads and often surprises me with her questions: “Why do you think the character was sad?” or “What would you do if that happened to you?” Books open up conversations we might never have had otherwise, and I love how they give her a way to express herself.
Both styles remind me of why reading matters so much. Books give us shared experiences; ones that spark joy, imagination, and real conversations.
Building Memories, One Book at a Time
When I think back on our family’s reading moments, it’s the little things I remember most:
- Sydney smiling with excitement when she discovers a new favorite story.
- Mya gently pulling her favorite book off the shelf, ready to read it again.
- Visiting the library to pick out new books together or going to the bookstore and falling into imagination with my children.
These aren’t just routines, they’re memories. And I know years from now, when my daughters look back on their childhood, these are the moments they’ll remember: the warmth of a blanket, the sound of a story being read, the comfort of being together.
That’s the true gift of reading as a family. It’s not just about literacy or imagination, it’s about love.
National Read a Book Day as a Reminder
In today’s busy world, it’s so easy to get caught up in the rush. Between work, school, and responsibilities, we don’t always stop to savor the small moments. National Read a Book Day can be a gentle nudge to slow down, pick up a story, and live in the moment with the people we love most.
Whether it’s a paperback, an audiobook playing in the background, or an e-book on a tablet, the format doesn’t matter. What matters is the time spent together, the laughter, the lessons, and the connection.
Passing Down a Legacy of Reading
As someone who was a bookworm growing up, I can’t help but hope my girls carry this love of books with them into their own futures. I hope they’ll remember the nights of giggles and snuggles, the stories that made them laugh, and the books that made them think. And maybe one day, they’ll share the same kind of storytime magic with children of their own.
Because when we read together, we’re doing more than sharing a story. We’re passing down a tradition, a love for imagination, and a way of connecting that stands the test of time.
One Story at a Time
So this National Read a Book Day, I invite you to make your own memories. Grab a book and read it with your child, your grandchild, your niece or nephew, or even just with yourself.
Books aren’t just about what’s written inside, they’re about the memories you build around them. And in my home, every bedtime story, every giggle, and every page turned is another memory added to the story of us.
