One-In-Four Read Nothing
by
Candice Watters
on Aug 22, 2007 at 10:40 AM
Speaking of reading, it seems not everyone is bothered by a nightstand with just a lamp, alarm clock and box of tissues. "One in four adults say they read no books at all in the past year," says an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Tuesday.
"The survey reveals a nation whose book readers, on the whole, can hardly be called ravenous. The typical person claimed to have read four books in the last year — half read more and half read fewer. Excluding those who hadn't read any, the usual number read was seven."
What do the one-in-four non-readers do instead? The poll blamed competition from the Internet and other entertainment-oriented media.
What about you? Are you a reader, and if so, what's on your nightstand? And if you're not, what do you prefer to books?
1. Katie had the following to say on Aug 22 at 10:44 AM:
I'm definitely a reader. I usually have a large Psychology/research based book and a work of fiction going at the same time, as well as a monthly psychology journal. Right now I'm working my way through the works of George Orwell. I guess I'm a sucker for dis-utopia/political satire.
2. Ammie had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:00 AM:
I read way more than the average! I absolutely just love to read. I've read 4 books just in the last two weeks. I honestly can't imagaine not reading anything all year. That is my outlet, my "me" time. But I have been a reader since I first learned how as a child. I love history books, anything by Mary Higgins Clark or Max Lucado, period novels and autobiographies. When I'm not reading, I'm cooking or watching shows about cooking. That's the other thing I love to do - cook!
3. Mark had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:04 AM:
I'd say that I fall in to the category of people that read seven or eight a year. To me, that seems like a fair number of books. But I also read a fair number of trade journals and work-related materials.
4. Adam had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:09 AM:
I'm a reader. I didn't really get into reading very big until after college where I had more time to read something other than textbooks. Now that I can I've gotten carried away and read a lot of non-fiction Christian books and conservative books.
On the fiction side of things however, that is where I was stumped for awhile. I knew I wanted to read a lot of fiction, but I wasn't sure if I'd like anything at all. That being said, I considered what I liked and already knew about, and that turned out to be Star Wars. I always liked Star Wars, I understand Star Wars pretty well because of movies and games, and now I enjoy reading the plethora of Star Wars novels, usually where I can kick out 3 or 4 in a month.
5. Jessica had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:09 AM:
I am a reader. Sometimes if I'm not sleepy enough, it helps me go to sleep, and sometimes I read just for fun. I read the Bible almost everynight before we go to sleep with my fiance (on the phone or before we part to go our separate ways after an evening spent together). A local Star Wars fan club I'm a part of has started a Book Club within the fan club, and we're reading Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe this month. I really enjoy reading Jane Austen and have just picked up Sense and Sensibility again. If I wait long enough, I can return to my old favorites and be completely surprised about what happens in a book I've read three times already! I also really enjoy Beth Moore books. Janette Oke is another, lighter favorite. My favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
6. Andrea had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:17 AM:
As an avid reader myself, I was initially shocked to read this statistic. But actually, when you consider the problem of illiteracy in the U.S., this isn't all that surprising. According to the National Institute for Literacy, "more than 20% of adults read at or below a fifth grade level" (http://www.eurekawebs.com/humlit/fast_facts.htm). If this is true, then it seems likely that the vast majority of those who don't read at all simply *can't read*. Add that to the long working hours and hectic schedules of many working Americans, and perhaps it's to be expected that they aren't reading more than seven books a year.
7. Christiann had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:30 AM:
I love to read. My nightstand holds books in the drawer. I have several favorite authors: Dee Henderson, Francine Rivers, Gilbert Morris, and many more. Reading relaxes me at the end of the day. I love being able to enter a different life and adventure through an authors words. Having said that, I can't get through a teaching or instructional book, even if they are spectacular. I can listen to them on CD and usually do that on my long commute to work. I just can't seem to make myself read through it, no matter how well written it is...
8. kman had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:31 AM:
I've read about 1-12 so far this years and parts of about the same number. I am generally reading 2-5 books at a time.
I read usually on my lunch hour, before bed, and some during my leisure time.
9. JMarie had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:31 AM:
At the moment I'm almost done reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It's not a particularly challenging read, but I like the author's style and the various characters' perspectives; it's an easy story to get lost in.
I'm a bit of an info-phile, but while the vast quantity of information available online is rather addictive, it doesn't replace the feel of holding a book. I grew up going to the library on a regular basis, and I can still remember the awe I felt when I walked into a Barnes & Noble for the first time (made more of impression than Disney World). Computers don't have that nice book smell, and the screen is hard on my eyes. Most important to my book attachment, however, is the ability to take a book with me anywhere. I can stretch out on my bed or curl up in a chair to read, and I can drop a book in my purse when I head to work or to the park. No need for cords, no electronic buzz, nothing but me and the printed page. It's really sad to think of so many people missing out on books!
10. Faith had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:37 AM:
I'm a reader! I love reading! I have Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Rose from Brier by Amy Carmichael, and Thr3e by Ted Decker sitting on my nightstand.
11. Andrea had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:41 AM:
Sure, I'm a reader!
While I like to crash on the couch after work and mindlessly absorb a movie or a TV show while decompressing, my preferred method of relaxation is the ultimate luxury: time to consume an entire book in one or two sittings.
My competition is mainly the fact that I am way too busy to devote that kind of time to enjoyment when I have to clean house, wash dishes, run errands, pay bills, work overtime, meet with friends, etc.
The reason movies and TV often take precedence is because they simply take less time, and in fact may often be enjoyed WHILE cleaning house, washing the dishes, and meeting with friends.
Currently on my nightstand: the third book of a young adult action novel series. It's pure escapist fluff.
12. Matthew John had the following to say on Aug 22 at 12:09 PM:
I'm definitely a reader. I made it my goal for the year to read 15 books. We're nearing the end of August and I've already read 17. Some of them haven't been incredibly long or involved, but one of them was over 600 pages, with pretty small print. All that to say, setting a goal definitely gave me the impetus to invest time in something I love.
Usually I'm reading three or four books at a time. I like to include a nature/travel nonfiction work, a piece of fiction, and some Christian nonfiction. And maybe some sort of social science type of nofiction for good measure.
13. Seth had the following to say on Aug 22 at 12:15 PM:
I love reading there are tons of books on my nightstand.
By Richard Foster
Freedom of Simplicity
Celebration of Discipline
By C. S. Lewis
The Great Divorce
Miracles
Mere Christianity
The Screwtape Letters
By Joshua Harris
I Kissed Dating Goodbye
Boy Meets Girl
By Donald Miller
Blue Like Jazz
By Dean Koontz
Odd Thomas
Yes, my nightstand is packed with alot of books piled on top of one another and a few bibles. I don't even always read the same genre I like multiple types of fiction, and different types of nonfiction. Not to sound like a cheesy comment but the bible is probably my favorite, seriously some of the stories are so awesome in it Samson anyone, or David's mighty men? The list goes on and on. The fact that it is real just makes it more awsome and the fact that it can have a real impact on your life right where you are just makes it fun to read.
14. Jeremy had the following to say on Aug 22 at 12:31 PM:
Put me in the reader column. I'm always in the process of reading 2 or 3 books at a time. Right now: Harry Potter 4 and The Starbucks Experience.
15. Katie had the following to say on Aug 22 at 12:42 PM:
Yes, I read. I've probably read four books in the last *week.* I'm in the middle of "Failure Is Not An Option" (about NASA's early days), Path Between the Seas (about the building of the Panama Canal), and Screwtape Letters. I'm not often "in the middle" of a fluff book because I tend to finish those in a day. Bad me. :)
16. April L. had the following to say on Aug 22 at 1:02 PM:
I loved the recent interview Rush Limbaugh had with Karl Rove where the latter talked about his reading contest with the president. If President Bush has the discipline and perseverance to read 94 books in a year (as he did last year, according to Rove) with everything else on his plate, I think I can manage at least half that!
I can't remember everything in my current stack of books, but here is a partial list:
my Bible (NAS version)
"North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell
"Rose in Bloom" by Louisa May Alcott
Dante's "Inferno" (I'm thinking I may skip to "Paradiso")
"Roman Art & Architecture"
a baby name book (no husband and no babies, but hope for both some day!)
Back Roads of Oregon (or some such title)
a Thai cookbook (my next culinary adventure)
Sermons of Martin Luther
a hymnbook (I started a new memorization goal - so far, I've memorized "Come Thou Fount" and "When We All Get to Heaven")
and, of course, a blank notebook in case I have an inspiration for my own book!
17. nikki had the following to say on Aug 22 at 1:07 PM:
Wow, I think every post on here begins with something like "I love reading!" So I'll chime in too. I do enjoy reading when I have the time. I usually only read fiction if it's classical, but I'm slowly breaking out of the box. So these days when work is slow I can get through a book a day if it's easy going. Donald Miller's books go pretty quickly, and I've read two in two days: Through Painted Deserts and Searching for God Knows What. Just before that I read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (amazing book, also read it in a day). I've also read For Women Only and For Men Only, and am slowly chugging through The Problem of Pain, though it's harder to read. I like to keep my mind active and learning and processing things all the time. I think it's sad and a little pathetic to see people who don't like to read.
18. Nicole had the following to say on Aug 22 at 1:45 PM:
Yes:
The Bible
Emerging Chruches: creating christian community in postmodern cultures - by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger
The Audacity of Hope: thoughts on reclaiming the American dream - by Barack Obama
There is No Me Without You : one woman's odyssey to rescue Africa's children - by Melissa Fay
19. DannieA had the following to say on Aug 22 at 2:32 PM:
I've always been a reader and a quite fast one....if I'm engaged in a book I can read it in a day...usually 100 pages per hour give or take.
The only time where I went to non-reader status (for entertainment) was during graduate school where I worked and went to school both full time...during summer months...I can easily go through 10 books....I don't understand the statistic...but maybe my friends are just all readers...
20. Erin had the following to say on Aug 22 at 2:48 PM:
I started reading full length novels when I was only ten. I love authors like Lori Wick and Janet Oak but I also enjoy Dee Henderson and Ted Dekker. As long as it is entertaining and clean I love it. I don't really understand people who don't read.
21. erin had the following to say on Aug 22 at 4:15 PM:
Count me as a reader! As an English grad student, it was kind of my job, but now that I'm done I can enjoy reading whatever I want. I read about 5 or 6 books a month, I'd guess, but most of those are fiction and are not what I'd call especially challenging. I'm trying to work on incorporating more non-fiction into my reading, but I'm having a hard time parting with fiction!
22. Patricia had the following to say on Aug 22 at 5:38 PM:
I am a voracious and speedy reader. Now I get paid to read as a history PhD student. I was also a strong reader growing up and loved to read-I would maximize the number of books the local library would allow you to check out-but have lost my taste for fiction somewhat since entering college. I have trained myself to skim books for the larger themes/thesis of the author in graduate school and do the same in novels, but novels the details or often what makes the story enjoyable. So...now I read mostly history books (probably 5-10 a week) and sometimes theology at night. Most recently a read Pope Benedict's book, Jesus of Nazareth, which was fascinating. At times in graduate school, especially when studying for my qualifying exams, I would burn out on reading b/c I'd have to read 8 hours a day or more. But, generally I still have a love to read which I feel like is a great gift.
23. Joseph had the following to say on Aug 22 at 5:55 PM:
I love to read too.
There is nothing like the feeling when I finish a good book. I love going to bookstores and scanning the titles. I've grown up reading. I read history, faith based, sociology, personal finance, and current events. I'm sure there will always be a good population of people who will enjoy reading.
24. Emma had the following to say on Aug 22 at 6:12 PM:
Definitely a reader! At the moment, I'm discovering John Piper; my husband & I are reading CS Lewis together. But I have to say, I need to find some good fiction to get stuck into too.
25. Kellie had the following to say on Aug 22 at 7:31 PM:
I have no idea how many books I've read so far this year, but I've probably read 5 in the last two weeks. On the floor next to my nightstand are my two current reads: my NIV bible and The Silent Planet by CS Lewis.
26. Joseph had the following to say on Aug 22 at 8:23 PM:
I think I am in the 8-10 book range, this year. I am strictly non-fiction and don't try to hurry too fast through the material. Nancey Pearcy's Total Truth is the current read.
27. kman had the following to say on Aug 22 at 8:48 PM:
Nikki said:I think every post on here begins with something like "I love reading!"
I wonder if people who like to read books also read blogs as well? Maybe all the readers here are not representative of an average American and thus the high number of readers posting.
28. Jamie Morton had the following to say on Aug 22 at 9:13 PM:
What?! 25% of American adults don't read anything?! That borders on unfathomable. I'm currently reading a novel by Julia Alvarez and a book of raw food recipes. I also just finished Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins, which I highly recommend, and am getting ready to reread Mrs. Dalloway and Middlemarch.
Glad to see that Boundless Line readers read more than just blogs!
29. Heidi had the following to say on Aug 22 at 9:16 PM:
Count me in with the readers. I love reading. I have since I was a child (E. Nesbit was favorite of mine). I read mostly fiction. Never been much of non-fiction reader. I'm not reading anything currently - I tend to disapear into my books when I read, so I try to give myself breaks between books so I actually spend with my husband. The last two books I read were Patrick Rothfuss's The Name of Wind and Jo Walton's Farthing. I enjoyed them both.
Interesting. I just found that Farthing is actually on books.google.com and it appears to have the whole text of the book.
30. ptschett had the following to say on Aug 22 at 10:40 PM:
I'm in the middle of reading 4 books (other than the Bible) just right now:
The Mote in God's Eye, by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle (a sci fi classic)
Mac OS X Panther for Unix Geeks, Brian Jepson and Ernest E. Rothman
A Patriot's History of the United States, Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen
Red River Rising, Ashley Shelby (local/recent history)
Within the year I'm way ahead; I've read a North Dakota and a South Dakota history book, Lewis' Space Trilogy and several other Lewis books, all of Lord of the Rings, a half-dozen sci-fi titles (mostly either Niven or Heinlein), a book of motorcycle riding tips, a history of USAF fighter planes, etc...
31. Eric had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:25 PM:
Whee! Books on the nightstand!
Things I am currently reading:
The Bible
Spook Country (William Gibson, so very very good)
Uriel's Machine
The ultimate Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy
The Lexus and the Olive Tree
The World is Flat
Caffeine for the Creative Mind
Lone Survivor
The Case for Faith
Boy Meets Girl
Notes from Underground
Things that used to be on the nightstand but I finished.
The first four Dark Tower books
The Great Influenza
Smashed
The Hot Zone
The Cobra Event
The Demon in the freezer (about smallpox in case your were wondering, I've been on a virus kick)
Goes back to devouring books...
32. Ahnivah had the following to say on Aug 22 at 11:31 PM:
I am a reader:
Right now, I am attempting to read "Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer for the second time, "The Souls of Black Folks" by W.E.B. Dubois, and "On Being Black and Reformed" by Anthony J. Carter. I, along with alot of commenters, have read alot of Donald Miller.
33. Mike Theemling had the following to say on Aug 23 at 7:34 AM:
Honestly, I don't like the title of this particular blog. It implies that those who don't read full length books don't or can't read AT ALL which is certainly not true.
Other than books, there are tons of other things to read. Newspapers, magazines, online magazines (hint, hint), brochures, text in computer games, ad infinitum.
Although I agree that those who do read full length books tend to have a larger vocabulary and greater reading comprehension, I don't know if it's fair to say that these people are somehow smarter or superior to those who do not.
I tend to read books in chunks. In a typical year, I won't read any full length books for months, and then in about a 2-3 week span I'll perhaps read/finish 3-4 books.
However, when it comes to reading other material (news, science articles, wikipedia's, etc) I would dare speculate that I do read more than the average person.
34. Leah had the following to say on Aug 23 at 7:40 AM:
I LOVE reading, although I do admit a lot of my reading time has been stolen by the internet and new interests in digital imaging, photography and writing fanfictions ;) (As practice for writing my own books one day!)
And of course, uni assignments steal a lot of that time too... (though not as much as they probably should hehe).
I don't have books on my nighstand but I do have books lying around the place that I've either started or intend to read. One is called "Classics of the Reformation" (which is impressive for me because I'm not a theological-reader; I'm happy to learn theology by listening or researching on the internet, but not reading books generally). I also recently finished Harry Potter 7 (759 pages in 25 hours, GO ME!), in the last few months I've also read "For Women Only" and "For Men Only". Oh, and I read one of the "Alex Rider" books ("Stormbreaker"). They're aimed at young teenagers but I think they're great :D I've also read bits and pieces of "I Promise You" by Willard F Jr. Harley.
I'm astounded at the amount of high school graduates or drop-outs who can't read satisfactorily. These days, teachers don't fail kids. It's ridiculous. If a kid can't read at grade 3 level, they should not be allowed to move on to grade 4! Pure and simple. Reading is the most valuable skill a person will ever learn, in my opinion.
35. Robin Munn had the following to say on Aug 23 at 7:59 AM:
Every single response to this column has been "I'm a reader". And if you think about it, that's not really a surprise. How many people who hate to read are going to be reading, let alone responding to, blogs?
P.S. I'm a voracious reader, too.
36. Jacob had the following to say on Aug 23 at 9:39 AM:
I read whenever possible between work, study, recreation, and ranch work.
I have enjoyed Mark Twain, although I have recently finished all of his books that are at the library. Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott, J.R.R. Tolkien, Kenneth Roberts (not quite "classics", but good history and fiction), Jules Verne (inventor of scifi), Dickens (hard, but very good), and Homer (bits of Pope's translation of the Iliad) are all on my list of favorites. I can't say that all my fiction reading is "good books", I also liked Brian Jacques' Redwall series, and other fantasy.
In non-fiction I read just about everything. History, biology, geology, astronomy, meterology, botany, etemology and entamology, computers, biography, cryptozoology, and lots of other things. I have been browsing Verbivore's Feast by Chrysti Smith, which is very entertaining. I also just checked out "The Compiled Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expediton" or something similar, although I'm not such a nerd that I would actually read through it. (-:
37. Kara had the following to say on Aug 23 at 10:44 AM:
As an English Major, I too love to read. And yes, I think drawing the correlation between book reading and blog reading can be drawn :)
Currently I'm reading "The Wounded Woman" by Dr. Steve Stephens and Pam Vredevelt.
I just finished several YA fiction books including HP7, rereading the first 2 books and the new 3rd book in the Twilight series by Stephenie Myers, and 4 other vampire series novels. When I was a Young Adult I was working on "Literature" in preperation for being an English major and then as an English Major, so I missed out on the plethora of fun stuff out there right now for teenagers. It's easy reading and fun stories and not at all the stuff that my English profs would have said decays the brain :-)
38. Susie had the following to say on Aug 23 at 12:14 PM:
So far this year I've read 53 books (I decided to keep count, just out of curiousity) so I definitely count as a reader. I never quite understood how someone could go a long time without reading anything at all.
Current reads:
The Nature & Character of God by Winkie Pratney (GREAT book)
The Great War & Modern Memory
Dear & Glorious Physician (a fictional book about Luke)
The Light & The Glory
39. Rebecca had the following to say on Aug 23 at 12:21 PM:
Just wanted to weigh in on this one. I spent the entire summer teaching reading skills to people who do not consider themselves readers. There are various reasons why a person does not become a reader, but the years between 9-12 are pivotal. If a person does not cement their love of books at this time, the pressures of junior high, high school and adult life will usually drive out any interest in reading.
For all of you readers out there, I would encourage you to find a way to get involved in literacy and building the next generation of readers. There are some alarming statistics out there, and one of the biggest is that every decade the decline in readers among the 18-25 and 25-35 demographic has increased dramatically. Start reading groups, talk about books with your friends and co-workers and help some elementary students or teenagers learn to love reading like you do.
Readers are thinkers and if people aren't reading, they are usually not doing a lot of thinking either. In addition, readers are more civic-minded and more interested in the arts, politics, religion and world issues. As Christians we have a vested interest in growing the number of readers in our communities!
40. Leigh had the following to say on Aug 23 at 12:44 PM:
Four books in a year!?!? Yikes. I just finished reading four books in as many days. And not thin books either. I don't understand why people won't read. It's far better than TV (to borrow from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" "you get no commercials") and often better than a movie, especially when, like me, you live at home and everyone has different tastes.
I've only "The Hobbit" on my nightstand right now but I just finished Ted Dekker's "The Circle" trilogy, "Waking Rose"--a retelling of Sleeping Beauty--and "Black Horses for the King." More books are coming in the mail soon so I'll be reading more too!
41. Amanda had the following to say on Aug 23 at 1:28 PM:
Wow! I'm a reader too. But I'm saddened by the titles and authors mentioned in so many of these comments. Are we really reading that much disposable fluff? Janette Oke and Dean Koontz? Really? Fortunately C.S. Lewis is mentioned more often but still we need to be encouraging the consumption of higher quality literature even if it takes longer to read.
42. Zusanne had the following to say on Aug 23 at 2:46 PM:
Nice to know there are so many readers out there!
I read quickly, I have varied interests, and I enjoy discussing books with others. Trying to identify my "favorite" book is impossible.
I'm a teacher, so other than 2-3 news magazines a week, an occasional newspaper, and a few blogs I check regularly, except for the 1-2 books I read each month to keep up with my subjects, the majority of my reading comes during Spring Break and the summer vacation (which means I only work 40-hour weeks instead of the usual).
I've been quite interested in Islam since an American married the king of Jordan. She wrote an autobiography (Queen Noor), and my interest turns that direction occasionally. Reading Lolita in Tehran was, for me, a life-changing experience. During Spring Break I read, for the first time, Jean Sasson's works. She wrote several books about women who lived in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq. I also read Infidel and a few other books about the situation in the Middle East. The more I know and read about these countries, the more compassion I feel for those who live there--and for those who choose to remain ignorant of the threat that is poised to take over our land.
I read anything and everything--over the past two months I probably read about 50 books. I probably read 35 mysteries/thrillers (Lisa Scottoline, Tess Gerritson, Michael Crichton, etc.), a few cheesy romances (Nicholas Sparks, etc.). Not great literature, I realize. The value in such "disposable fluff" is the picture it gives us of how others live. I never finish a novel--even one with a satisfying ending--that doesn't leave me with a feeling of sadness for the empty lives of those who don't know God. It also provides a nice contrast to the heavier reading I do throughout the year. Biographies, history books, political writing (both sides, thank you).
43. Suzanne Eller had the following to say on Aug 23 at 4:51 PM:
I absolutely love to read, from the classics to contemporary, from fiction to non-fiction, and from Christian to ABA. I'm surprised when I meet those who don't read, and wonder if they know what they are missing.
44. bekah had the following to say on Aug 23 at 8:16 PM:
Ahhh, books, my favorite place to escape, and learn.
Crazily enough, I am also currently reading the Hobbit.
Also, I just finished Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot.
One of the best books I have read in a long time.
Some other good ones:
Anna Karenin - Leo Tolstoy
Don Quixote
C.S. Lewis (hands down!!)
Desiring God by John Piper
Harry Potter ( Sue me, they were Fabulous!!)
The Secret Garden -Frances Hodgson Burnett
Cyrano de Bergerac -Edmond Rostand
Paul's letter to the Romans, and Thessalonians
45. Apryl had the following to say on Aug 23 at 9:29 PM:
I'm definitely a reader!
In the past month I've read God Whispers by Margaret Feinberg, Harry Potter #7, Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey, Shopping for Time by the girls at GirlTalk.blogs.com.
Next on the list, Francis Schaeffer's works, and Edith Schaeffer's L'Abri. And trying to finish up Becoming the Woman of His Dreams by Sharon Jaynes, also And the Shofar Blew by F.Rivers.
I love Jane Austen!
Other favorites:
Christian Fiction - Francine Rivers, Robin Jones Gunn, Lori Wick
Christian Non-Fic - Richard Foster, Max Lucado, Beth Moore, Margaret Feinberg, John Eldredge, Nancy Leigh Demoss, Debbie Maken, Josh Harris, Brennan Manning, Dave Ramsey
46. Jim had the following to say on Aug 23 at 10:13 PM:
I have an absolutely fantastic question for Ms. Watters concerning books. If she is so concernced about the lack of literature being read by children, why does she find it neccesary to attack a novel for teenagers that is getting them to read simply because it contains a "good" vampire?
47. Henry Skinner-Larsen had the following to say on Aug 24 at 8:30 AM:
Isn't it curious that the overwhelming majority of 5 year olds love books and most 10 year olds hate reading? Answer the question of what happened in those 3 or 4 years and we will know why so many people don't read. What is the point to reading, anyway?
48. Andrea (aka Elena) had the following to say on Aug 24 at 11:26 AM:
Henry,
Do you think it could be that the more visually-oriented kids miss the illustrations when the kids progress from the picture-book stage to the chapter-book stage of reading?
Do you think it is the move from the communal nature of reading during preschool/kindergarten years (little kids are read to by teachers and parents; little kids sit together to hear a story read and to look at the pictures) to the solitary nature of reading in the upper-elementary-school-age years??
Interesting thoughts to ponder!
49. Laura had the following to say on Aug 24 at 11:55 AM:
Yeah, I'm another reader. But I really just wanted to respond to the negative comments about non-readers. And to thank Rebecca for her post encouraging us to do something to help.
First though, I know that I, as much as any, take pride in what books sit on my nightstand and bookshelves, so this is aimed very much at myself. :-)
Boundless has a pretty specific audience, and I'd guess that most of us come from conservative Christian, middle class backgrounds, attended college and have some amount of financial freedom and access to resources. But when you think about it, there's a lot of people who didn't grow up with the advantages we've had. Or who simply don't have the luxury of free time to sit down and read Harry Potter overnight, like many of my single friends did.
It seems an unfair assessment to pride ourselves in being "literary" and to look down on those who aren't, without making some effort to understand why so few Americans read. And what we as Christians can do about it.
50. Bethany M had the following to say on Aug 24 at 12:52 PM:
I must confess to being in the same boat as you, Candice: I read non-fiction pretty exclusively. I really enjoy the Christian books that give sound wisdom. Right now I'm in "Let Me Be a Woman" by Elisabeth Elliot and "The New Strong-Willed Child" by Dr. Dobson.
I did try to mix it up this summer, though, by getting some fiction on audio book from the library for my daily work commute. This was my best distraction from stop-and-go traffic and also broke up my obsession with the "serious" books.
51. Alex C. had the following to say on Aug 25 at 12:03 AM:
I'm a huge reader, and have been one ever since 1st grade, when I discovered the Goosebumps series. I probably read about 30+ full books a year, although a lot of them are ones I've already read (I like to read my favorite books over and over ^^). If I counted manga/graphic novels (I own over 100 Japanese mangas) and short novels (around 100 pages. Goosebumps lenght) I probably read close to 100 items a year. Most of what I read is fiction, I just can't resist a good story!
I think that part of the reason a a lot of people don't become readers is because of a lack of time and low attention spans. I have a younger brother and sister, 9 and 8 years old, and neither of them like reading, because its "boring". They'd rather watch a TV show.
52. Emily had the following to say on Aug 25 at 2:31 PM:
I haven't been on Boundless much lately, so I'm late in writing that I am so thrilled to see the posts about reading! We should have more of these...I'd love to hear what others are reading.
53. Sarah had the following to say on Aug 25 at 2:57 PM:
I am entering the teaching field, and I find this statistic rather depressing, for that reason. When I hear that a child doesn't have an attention span long enough to enjoy a book, but can watch TV for 4 hours straight, I wonder what that child was doing at the preschool age. Kids have to start reading early, and learn to love it, or I think the statistics will continue going south.
I have such a wide range of books that I like to read. I must confess that I adore re-reading the books that I loved as a child - or that other children loved and I didn't discover until my young adult years! ;) I also love those hefty Victorian classics (and some from before that time, such as the Bronte sisters and Jane Austen). Lately I've been trying to build my repertoire of Canadian fiction, as I will have to teach it someday! I like to always have a non-fiction Christian book on the go, as well.
On my nightstand - well, it's actually groaning with books - in brief:
a few Bibles
My current journal and my last journal (in case I want to look something up)
"Stop Dating the Church" by Joshua Harris
"Holiness" by J.C. Ryle
"Bonheur D'Occasion" by Gabrielle Roy (can't lose the second language over the summer!)
"A Tangled Web" by L.M. Montgomery
"Five Children and It" by E. Nesbit
54. Barron had the following to say on Aug 25 at 3:43 PM:
As a reader, I'm gratified to see a discussion of books, but also dismayed that so much of the reading listed here ranks barely above cereal-box or installation-guide level. Self-help and baby-raising books, Christian apologetics, programming manuals, Michael Crichton, Nicolas Sparks -- is this some sort of parallel universe where actual literature has been replaced by mass-produced dreck sold in grocery check-out lanes? A cookbook counts as 'reading'?
OK, I managed to spot one mention of Tolstoy and William Gibson, but where are the readers of DeLillo, Proulx, Chabon, Franzen, Didion, or even Woolf, Hemingway, Faulkner, etc.
If Dobson and Lucado are listed as 'reading', we're headed in the wrong direction.
55. xeres had the following to say on Aug 25 at 7:57 PM:
Barron,
you are a lit freak, like me :). Right now, I'm reading Faulkner's The Sound of the Fury (trying to finish it).
56. Ellie had the following to say on Aug 25 at 9:30 PM:
Am I a reader?
The best form of punishment my mum could come up with for me as a kid was taking away books! And I used to get busted with a flashlight under the covers all the time.
I usually have several books going at once.
57. Alex C. had the following to say on Aug 26 at 8:55 AM:
"A cookbook counts as 'reading'?
"
Well, I can at least agree with you on that ^^. Reading a cookbook for recreation would be a little weird. But I do think you should be careful going around labeling modern fiction and non-fiction as "mass produced dreck". I think you'd be stepping on a lot of toes.
Personally, I don't think that just because a book is old, that it should automaticly be considered more worthwhile than something that was written recently.
58. Seth had the following to say on Aug 27 at 11:47 AM:
Reading - to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.): to read a book; to read music.
Literature - writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays.
There is alot to read and a great deal of it very worthwhile. One does not need to read Hemingway to become condescending but apparently that is the route you took or at least the impression I get from your post, you may want to try a little more tact Barron. People have to learn to crawl before they can walk. Not to mention people have different tastes, but putting their choices down doesn't help anyone.
59. Leah had the following to say on Aug 27 at 7:41 PM:
Amanda, I think you're missing the point of reading if you rubbish authors like Janette Oke.
Reading is not just for education. It is also for entertainment and pleasure. The point is, people like Janette Oke are good writers who write good stories that entertain people. That is what a fiction story is for.