What is ThanksReading?
ThanksReading is a project launched by Literally App to celebrate reading. The aim is to be thankful for everything related to books, such as authors, publishers and of course, books.
To take part, all you need to do is take the ThanksReading pledge. For every 100 pages pledgers read this month, Literally App will donate US$1 to Reading is Fundamental.
What Literacy Means to Me
Literacy to me means so much more than the mere ability to read and write. Books have opened up knowledge and points-of-view I never would have experienced myself. Fiction has been a getaway and fuelled my imagination since I was a child.
Books have been and still are my constant companions. They also have helped build relationships with my loved ones. My parents used to read to me when I was a child. My grandmother used to gift me books on my birthday and for Christmas. My father used to buy me a new book every once in a while when we were travelling.
Essentially, books for me mean love and they contain memories that have latched themselves onto those books. When I look at my childhood books, they each conjure particular memories — all of them fond memories. I remember the first book I bought with my own money at a flea market when I was eight.
I also remember my joy when I received a book from my parents for Christmas in first grade. They used to give my younger sister and me the same presents, just in different colours. That book was the first present I remember for which my sister didn’t receive a mirror present. That book was mine alone.
My Hope for ThanksReading
Since books are so near and dear to my heart, I jumped at the opportunity to pledge for ThanksReading. My hope is that you will also take that pledge. I believe promoting literacy in the lives of children is a worthy cause. Even if you can’t support RIF financially, you can do your part by reading your November away.
Joséphine, your explanation of what literacy means to you was so beautifully put! Like you, I feel thankful for literacy and books because they’ve been a source of joy and happiness, of bond and growth. I just reopened my Literally account to join ThanksReading now! I hope we’ll be able raise a good amount of money to promote literacy. :)
Thank you, Hazel <3 I'm glad your love for books and gratefulness for literacy moved you to take part in ThanksReading.