Fond memories of reading with dad
ZOE Knobel has fond memories of afternoons spent in the reading room her dad made for the kids.
And not only did those lazy hours spent turning pages that seemed like windows to other worlds leave her with lovely memories, but she also believed they helped her and her siblings achieve success in life.
Ms Knobel, who works in the Qantas corporate communications division and is based in Sydney, was in town recently to help her dad celebrate his 70th birthday.
Her brothers David, a law student, Mark, a marketing consultant based in Singapore and sister Natanya, an occupational therapist currently working for charity organisation Thankyou Water, were also on hand for the celebration.
They have one other son Jake, a real estate agent based in New Zealand.
It was no great surprise to any of them, including dad Peter Knobel, that many of his presents were books.
Ms Knobel reflected on how lucky they were to have access to a dedicated space just for reading and how it opened their minds as they grew.
“Walls lined with book shelves, thick sets of (quickly superseded) Encyclopedia Britannica, countless classics, and no television. That was relegated to the rumpus room,” she said.
“There was a cosy lounge suite, complete with dad’s chair, a recliner of course.
“I wonder if there are many living rooms like this left in homes around Australia?
“Spaces to come together without the distraction of the latest concocted reality weight loss show, to focus instead on exercising and strengthening your mind.”
Mr Knobel, who raised the kids on a farm near Dalby, said he was determined all of his kids would chase their passions instead of simply following in his footsteps.
He said teaching the kids the value of reading sharpened their faculties, gave them critical thinking skills, increased their communications skills and widened their perspectives.
“It lets you into another world of experiences you would never get in your lifetime,” he said.
“In terms of history, philosophy and politics, it’s important to keep abreast of what is going on because history repeats itself if you don’t.”
He said he still fondly remembered the day Zoe came to him at age nine with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, proudly telling him she had finished reading it.
“All my children developed a love of reading and I think it stood them in good stead,” Mr Knobel said.
All my children developed a love of reading and I think it stood them in good stead.
— Peter Knobel