I must say, as a huge, avid reader, this is reather disturbing for U.S. society
One in four U.S. adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Tuesday. Of those who did read, women and seniors were most avid, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices.
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 had not read any, the usual number read was seven.
Hell, I tend to read at least 5 a month. On average, I finish a fiction book in 3-7 days, depending on size and how good it is. Some are slower reads then others. I also tend to read at least one non-fiction a month, depending on what is around. I also may re-read non-fiction I have around, reading them slowly, a couple pages here, a chapter there. At work, I have a Mike Gallagher book and one on pirates (was given to me) sitting around. Have Caucus of Corruption sitting around downstairs. Right now, I am reading House Atreides again, and should be done easily by Tuesday, when the next Star Wars comes out.
Now, some people say they would rather watch a movie, they get sleepy reading, etc. But what is the root cause? Your guess is as good as mind, but, personally, I would blame schools and parents. Schools are having the kids read less and less books early on. Parents themselves read less and less. And, neither of them are showing the young kids that reading is not just fundemental, but fun. Some take pleasure in scifi, romance, westerns, mysteries, etc, some take pleasure in politics, history, gardening, what have you. Plus combinations, of course. So many people would just rather read trashy magazines, or nothing at all. As less and less parents read less, they pass on that attitude to their kids, who pass it on to their friends, and then families when they have one. A vicious circle.
You know one thing that makes me happy? Other then a good book for myself (among other things; just dealing with reading in this post, you folks with dirty minds). Going in to one of the many Wake County libraries and seeing kids, especially ones who are clearly underpriveledged, checking out lots of books. They give enjoyment, please, and knowledge. They expand ones mind. They are the simple things in life.
My personal opinion, if you aren’t reading, you are missing out. Like sitting back and listening to the early morning birds, watching a good sunset, a quiet time with the one you love, seeing a fine painting, reading is one of the finer things in life.
Do you have an interesting post? Well, go ahead and leave a trackback, with a reciprical link back to me. Must include a book you are reading.
The Knukcleheads of the Day award…
Today’s winners are Miami Police Chief John Timoney and the Miami Herald….
Iran Sinking Deeper Into Totalitarianism…
The Iranian regime is sinking deeper and deeper into totalitarianism. It has been systematically tightening control of every aspect of its citizens lives. Arrests of individuals on vague or even no charges for months at at time, citizens harrass…
[…] Cat, Conservative Thoughts, Inside The Northwest-Territory, third world county, Right Celebrity, Pirate’s Cove, Planck’s Constant, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, The Yankee Sailor, Gone Hollywood. […]
The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald — Gordon Lightfoot…
This is a song that I’ve always enjoyed ever since I was a kid. This video edited by Joseph Fulton is very good but my only complaint is that this is a re-recording of the song done by Lightfoot and I prefer the original version.
……
Manly Men & Womanly Ladies (OTB)…
Dear Men,
Speaking for myself, I was raised by a very strong Father. Regardless as to whether he was right or wrong, us children knew where we stood. One time I asked him how to the difference between right and wrong and he ……
Iran, what you don’t know…
China and Russia are becoming increasingly anti-American and increasingly tied to Iran. This cannot be good for the United States. Relations between China and Iran date back many centuries. Economic Ties: Iran is a permanent source for China’s export…
[…] Webloggin’, Leaning Straight Up, Conservative Cat, Conservative Thoughts, Right Celebrity, , Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, The Yankee Sailor, Gone Hollywood. And thanks to Linkfest Haven […]
Giving the finger…
Some news from Japan. I may be a masochist, but I draw the line at cutting off digits as a means of political protest. For if I did, I wouldn’t have any toes or fingers left. How would I go online?
A member of a Japanese right-wing group was arreste….
Administration Employs Thousands of Unauthorized Workers…
Well, here’s a shocker. The Washington Times is reporting that there may be yet another reason this administration has refused to enforce our immigration laws, especially our laws that fine employers of illegal aliens. After all, you don’…
Books are sooooo boooring. I would much rather read blogs.
Bush Finally Sees Iraq as being like Vietnam…
Of President Bush’s recent remarks on Iraq, his words in a speech to the VFW on Tuesday have sparked some interesting and reveali ……
Is Your Church a Secret Sanctuary?…
The left is gaining converts daily by an appeal to a false Christian guilt that would equate law-breakers who leave their country to improve their economic condition with slavery or with political refugees who are facing torture, death, or genocide w…..
Nanotechnology Today…
The Gangopadhyay teamÂ’s invention of a nanotechnology process for creating shock waves that can be integrated with microchip technology has broad potential defense, commercial and medical applications….
Jihad: The Musical…
ABC News asks, “Will it Bomb?”:
‘Jihad: the Musical’ Hits Edinburgh Festival
With songs like “I Wanna Be Like Osama” and “Building a Bomb Today” set to jaunty tunes and a high-kicking chorus line, “…
[…] USA, DeMediacratic Nation, , Big Dog’s Weblog, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, Conservative Cat, Conservative Thoughts, and The Yankee […]
Bruce Willis comes to my High School in Bayonne…
Bruce Willis, made famous as the hero in the “Die Hard” movies will go back to school.
He’ll play the role of a disliked principal in a new film….
Michael Vick would be smart to convert to Islam…
my advice to Michael Vick if he really wants to get off without losing his career or sponsors: Convert to Islam. In Islam it is a blessing to kill dogs…
One Good Thing: Anticipation…
Some may have noticed (though statistically, 96.3% of you did not) that I took a few weeks off from the “One Good Thing” feature. Not because I couldn’t find a good thing to write about on a daily basis, mind, but because weeds grow…
Iran Threatens the Kurds…
Now, I know I’m supposed to think that Iran isn’t a problem, and according to experts, Iran wants to see a stable and unified Iraq, but in spite of this I’m disturbed by reports that Iran is threatening military action……
[…] Thoughts, Right Celebrity, Allie Is Wired, Faultline USA, , The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, High Desert Wanderer, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest […]
national exercise your rights day…
I apologize for the relative silence over the past few days, but things come up, as I am quite sure you all are aware. However, something else has come up which is going to take precedence over a few other……
[…] Allie Is Wired, The Random Yak, DeMediacratic Nation, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, Conservative Cat, High Desert Wanderer, and Right Voices, […]
Belgian Muslims Want a Ban on Easter eggs…
Yes, Easter eggs. Add this to pork, hot cross buns, alcohol, Jewish cookies, Coca Cola and all the other food related grievences, and the menu for dhimmis is getting mighty slim.JW: If headscarves are banned for employees who work at…