Guest post by Scott Rubin. Scott Rubin’s super nerdy and uplifting baby name book, Naming Your Little Geek, was published by Familius in 2020.
We can all agree that books are the best. I grew up with parents and grandparents instilling in me a deep love and respect for books, and as a geek and author I’ve only grown in that appreciation. My favorite books take me to fantastical worlds and into the depths of space, and to meet ancient evils, secret societies, and superheroes hiding in plain sight. For most of my life, reading was a solitary endeavor, best enjoyed by myself in quiet surroundings. Recently, though, I’ve gained a huge appreciation for reading aloud, and you should too.
Why read out loud? Let’s start with the obvious; it’s crucial for kids. I have two young sons, 2 and 6 as of this World Read Aloud Day. Before becoming a parent, I expected to read them a lot of silly stuff, marking time until I could start filling their heads with “real” science-fiction, fantasy, and the like. Boy, was I wrong! There is so much incredible kid literature out there, and a lot of it is really fun to read out loud. I’m not just talking about rhymes and goofy sounds, but unique characters, interesting stories, and emotional beats that will stick with you and them.
Best of all, reading to my children has given me a new love and appreciation for reading out loud. It’s a whole new way to enjoy your favorite stories! During the pandemic I started livestreaming, and reading aloud has become a major aspect of what I do. Whether it’s slogging through the complex prose of Frank Herbert’s Dune novels or channeling my inner bard with ancient epic poetry, I’m bringing to life incredible tales.
Heroes and villains speak through me, and I get to enjoy the richness of the author’s words like I never have before. Sounds and onomatopoeia literally become audible, and sometimes unintentionally hilarious. I’ve even discovered some instances when homophones can create alternate (hidden?) meanings in texts that you’ll only experience when reading out loud or listening to the reading!
No matter what kinds of books you enjoy, I highly recommend doing some out loud reading. Even when doing it by yourself, the experience can be very different and offer you a new way to connect with stories, histories, and more. Even better, find yourself a kid and share the love of reading with a new generation!
Some of my favorite books to read aloud include Frank Herbert’s Dune, epic poetry like the Iliad, Prose Edda, and the Epic of Gilgamesh, and children’s books like Girl and Dragon series by Barbara Joosse and Randy Cecil and My Truck Is Stuck by Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk.