Maybe part of it is the self-indulgent fact that I like the sound of my own voice, but I think that more people should read out loud.

Aside from random school presentations and other opportunities for learning, the first time I remember reading something out loud to other people was in a summer program during high school.

For some reason, someone in the group of friends I had formed at this program needed to read A Prayer for Owen Meaney during that summer, and I offered to help make the reading more pleasant by holding a daily storytime where I would read the book aloud to everyone, chapter by chapter.

And, for some inexplicable reason, my friends agreed.  So we would cluster ourselves in the basement of our dorm each evening, and I would read the book to them out loud.

It was wonderful.  It also was my introduction to John Irving, for which I am also quite grateful.

I still read aloud, but only to Katie now, and not as often as I (or she) would like.  I think the reason I find it so enjoyable is because it’s a kind of sneaky way of turning an activity that is designed to be private into a shared experience.

That, and the theatricality of turning a story from words on a page into sound.  As a reader, there are certain powers that I enjoy, such as the tone and pacing of the piece that may not be entirely evident just as words on the page.

I encourage everyone to try it.  Find someone to read to, or who will read to you.  Not everyone will comfortable in the former group, of course, but it’s worth a try.

That, and you get to do voices, which is – of course – the best part.