Way back in the spring of last year, Denver asked me to take him to Half Price books.

I thought maybe he wanted to pick up some more comic books, as that had become something he was into. Still, I was deep in the depths of a book-buying obsession so I was always too happy to go, plus he had a gift card so I wouldn’t have to cover the cost.

Then he told me what he really wanted to get.

1984 by George Orwell.

I asked him if he had to read it for school.

He said nope.

He just wanted to read it.

Mind you, this is the boy that had always despised reading. Now and then he’d latch onto something he enjoyed, but there was never something voluntary.

Certainly not a classic.

Surprised by his initiative, I told him I’d pay for it, and he could use his gift card for his comic books.

That $3 payout has paid off in spades.

I believe this is the only book that my son has read – and re-read – and re-read again, and then yet again.  I’m pretty sure in the past year he’s read it five times. Voluntarily.

I’ve always wanted him to find a love of reading.

I never expected it to happen with, of all books, 1984.

What about you?  What inspired your kids to read?  Was it Harry Potter? Little House? Something totally off the wall?