I was browsing the internet the other day and came across this poll that has recently been released regarding reading in America. You can check out the article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20381678/ if you care to read the full piece.
When I initially read the article, I was shocked and appalled. Being an avid reader myself, I couldn't believe this statistic. On average, Americans are only reading 4 books a year . . . a year! That is approximately one book every three months! I could not believe this!
Other items I found that interested me . . . Democrats and liberals tended to read more than Republicans and conservatives AND women were the most diversified in their reading. Wow!
In a country that is constantly urging our young ones to read, one question comes to my mind . . . Are we modeling this behavior that we are urging our children to adopt or are we not practicing what we preach? Reading has so many benefits -- for me, I believe that it provides me a way to relax and escape the stresses of my life, it has expanded my views and creativity in life, and it has taught me some valuable lessons!
For all of you who read my blog, I urge you to think about what reading means to you. My guess is that you are not one of the people discussed in the article that is reading only 4 books a year; however, I still think that we can make a difference together for those that are. Read to your children and let your child see you reading for enjoyment. Turn off that TV and jump into a good book. We don't have to rely on the great Harry Potter to get kids into reading again . . . we can spark enthusiasm ourselves just by showing and sharing our own excitement for books with others we know! We can't change the world overnight, but we can light the fire that brings about the change in the future. I plead with you to not let this great pastime become a time of the past!
Friday, August 24, 2007
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I agree, Tiffany. It's a shame that reading is getting out of style. I love to read, and I read atleast one book every month. But for me, I have to limit my reading, because I have no self control when it comes to a good book! Last night all I wanted to do was start a book, but I didn't let myself because I couldn't afford to waste all of today reading!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI think instilling a love of reading in our children is the best thing we can do.
I think that it is a total shame that more people don't read. There are so many benefits to reading. I can't imagine only 4 books a year!! I guess all of us dedicated readers will have to make up for the slackers out there!!
ReplyDeleteI love to read, and I am not debating that read is not important. I am posing a thought though on the decrease in the amount people read. First off the internet, sometimes the amount I read on the internet feels like a book lol. Also informational reading can be found on the internet also. I just got through reading "Taking Charge of your Fertility" which was a wonderful awesome book. Every bit of that book can be found on various web pages and article. Infact as I was reading I recalled many article in which I had read similar thing.
ReplyDeleteSecondly TV, which is a given. I think people get can get their fiction fix from a movie, or their informational fix from an educational channel. While I feel that reading is far superior there is no doubt in my mind that this is a huge reason for the fall in people reading.
All in all I agree with you OF COURSE! I am assuming that people are hopefully they are reading some how if that is from the morning paper, an article on the internet, or reading a book with their children.
Reading is really important to me, I am more of a non-fictional reader though. I am still dying to read almost all of the books you posted so I can chat.
Ok so I should have proof read my post before I pressed enter. You know what I mean though, despite the bad grammar :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments! I agree in the reasons for the decline jill! And, I think that I would also add video and computer games to the list. I don't find anything wrong with the games or TV or internet (especially considering that I am always on the internet!), as long as it is in moderation. Too much of something is not always a good thing! I suppose you can say that even with reading if you sit inside all day every day curled up with a book and never actually get out and experience the world yourself!
ReplyDeleteI do hope that if people are not reading books for themselves, that they are at least still reading, whether it may be the newspaper, magazines, or on the internet. I guess I would really like to see some statistics on how much people read a day -- maybe that would be more reflective than just those that read books. Personally, I still prefer the book in my hand that I can carry with me anywhere . . . on the bus, while waiting in the doctor's office, relaxing on the beach, etc. There's just something in being able to grab a book and hide away for a while that allows me to stay grounded and sometimes even sane! Reading has just been such a large part of my life and defines who I am that I don't want others to miss out on the benefits! :)
I completely agree with you Tiff. I think there is a big difference between reading a book, and reading the internet. It just makes me feel better to think people are at least reading somehow... oh and I also loathe video games...don't get me on that soap box haha!
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