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Never too old to try!
Derbyshire Libraries are working with local workplaces in 2010 in addition to colleges and adult education. Gwen Gregory completed the Challenge through her class at Long Eaton in 2009.
"At school I never really grasped reading and spelling, but it was especially my spelling that had bothered me. When I retired I promised myself two things, that I would go back to English classes and learn how to swim.
The tutor Linda is very good. She puts you in groups where you are similar and she takes time with you and she treats all of you like individuals. You learn not to be embarrassed, you are with other people who are like you.
In April Linda told us about Six Book Challenge. I hadn't been to the library since I was a school - I never bothered even though my lad did: he is in the Army now, and has always been an avid reader.
We all had to meet at the library, and we looked at the books for the Challenge, and they explained that we had to read six books. I thought: 'This will be good for me.' I got going, and I had to write what I thought about the books in my reading diary, then get it stamped as proof that you had read the books.
I never knew that reading was such a pleasure until I joined Six Book Challenge. It has encouraged me to read fiction and non-fiction. I've been reading all sorts of things. The Quick Reads are really good for me, I have been reading some big books but these are really good.
Reading has given me new things to talk to other people about. One of my neighbours reads a lot. He asked me what I was reading and he said he would get me a copy of one of the books he had enjoyed. I would not have been able to have that sort of conversation before.
I have read 37 books since I started the Challenge. I would never have thought of going to the library: Six Book Challenge has given me that little push I needed.
Once I have really got to grips with my spelling, I am thinking about doing some more classes. I would like to do something with computers, and I'd also like to go on and do craft work classes. And soon I will go onto more bigger books. Reading makes you think. I have really come on now - with the Six Book Challenge I can understand things and it's helped me to understand why writers write what they do. It has really changed me around, it really has. It doesn't matter how old you are, you are never too old to try."
