Thursday, August 23, 2007
READERS UNITE

The United States does not seem like a nation of readers, according to a recently released poll.

Just over 1,000 adults were interviewed by the Associated Press-Ipsos poll. One in four (or 25 percent) of those people said that they had not read ANY books last year. Not a Harry Potter. Not a Hemingway. Nada. The majority of people interviewed said they read up to five books last year. People who had read more than five or fewer than five were just about equal in the poll.

Religious or popular fiction books were the top choices of readers. Women also claimed to be bigger readers.

So what does this all mean for our nation? Can nonreaders learn the love of reading? Are they busy doing something else? What are the differences about readers and nonreaders? Does it come down to time, interest, or other distractions?

Has anyone gotten a nonreader to love a certain book? I gave my copy of The Poisonwood Bible to a  friend like that, hoping she would love it like I did. Never happened. I guess it's difficult to convince someone who's never been lost in a book to give it a try.

Should readers care about what nonreaders do with their time? Maybe. Some people worry that a lack of interest in reading will damage the publishing industry. I don't want this to mean there will be less of a selection for me and my reading allies.

Readers unite! (So what should we do now?)


# (2)#
Alicia    Posted by
Alicia
on 8/23/2007
11:57 AM
8/23/2007 3:33:35 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
I actually thought the number of non-readers would be higher than 25%. I think the problem is if you don't read as a kid, you won't become an adult who reads. As a kid, if the only reading you do is for class—homework—then that's what it will always seem like to you. Homework. And who wants to do homework as an adult? What adults need to realize is that can read whatever they want for enjoyment—and no book report is necessary!
Bart
8/23/2007 7:34:15 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)
Readers and Nonreaders have been at odds since the beginning of time. I have a friend who despises books. I also have a brother who does not read. They are both productive members of society. They hold good jobs and keep the world moving just like everyone else. I used to get upset when I would try to convince them to read an awesome book and their eyes would roll back in their heads, reminding me yet again that, "Hey Bry, I'm a Nonreader. I thought we understood each other."

There's really nothing wrong with being one of them. I just never understood them. But then again, there are plenty of interests they have that I don't share... like not having a sick and probably somewhat unhealthy obsession with books for one.
Bry
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