That Is Why

A few days ago, a young lady came into the shoppe. She asked if I could find a book for her mother as she didn't read and wouldn't know where to begin.

I stared at her.

The conversation that followed went a little something like this:
Me: What do you mean, you don't read?"
Her: (shrugs) I dunno; I just don't really like to.
Me: Why not?
Her: Because it's kinda boring.
Me: You're doing it wrong.
Her: (stares)
Me: And besides, you cannot walk into a book shoppe and say thing like "I don't read" and "Reading is boring". That's grounds for being escorted out with your head hung in shame.
Her: (stares)
Me: (sighing) Alright, let's find something for you mum and then we'll find something for you.

So, I find a book for her mother; then:
Me: Now, let's find you something to read.
Her: I didn't come for a book.
Me: I didn't ask, I said let's find you something to read.
Her: Okay.
Me: Have you ever read anything that you really enjoyed.
Her: Not really.
Me: What do you watch on television?
Her: Umm... girl stuff?
Me: (nodding my head) That's good, that's a good start. What kind of girl stuff? Flower, fairy, fantasy girl stuff or dramatic, teenage angst girl stuff?
Her: I like MTV.
Me: Great!

So, I head toward teen fiction and pick up a novel from a lengthy series and hand it to her.
Me: Now, you're going to take this home. You're going to read it; all of it. Then you're going to bring it back and you're going to tell me about it, even if you don't like it. That way we can figure out what it is you like to read and go from there.
Her: (nodding) Okay.

She came back today. Brought the book in and said she'd started it last night and finished it today; she loved it and wanted to get the next one...

And that, is exactly why I do this. :)

Happy reading, everyone.
-Britaini