Less than 50% of Americans read a book last year!

brdgt

The New York Times had an article today about how fewer than half of Americans over 18 now read novels, short stories, plays or poetry. As someone who has read almost 30 books already this year (and just went to the library to pick up four more!) this astounds me.

The article sort of touches the surface of the implications of this - without intellectual curiosity can you have a democratic country?

Also, readers are much more likely to attend social functions (ballgames, theatre, volunteer for charities).

This is the article link (NYT requires free registration):
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/08/books/08READ.
html

PamTheQueen · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 3:03 pm Post subject:

I believe it. I keep trying to give away books i've finished and nobody wants them. Why? "I don't read", "I don't have time to read" , "Books aren't my thing", etc. These same people have plenty of time to watch stupid reality shows. My friends who do read always have same books as me!

I've tried BookCrossing, but I like knowing who gets them and nobody ever reported finding my books (except friends).
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empressCrash · Joined: 04 Jun 2004 Posts: 78 Location: Pacific NW

I think the percentage is lower here (that's what I've heard) in the Pacific NW because of all the months of daily rain.
I think it also has something to do with how you were raised, if you were raised in a reading family then you are more likely to read. That said - my folks read books and magazines like crazy, always have. I read something almost every night -from an article to several chapters of a book, but my sister never really liked to read for leisure. She has a theatre company that has a new playwright contest every year - so I think she gets burned out on reading plays.
It also has to do with the fact that in public schools reading is treated as a chore (and they pick terrible boring books to placate the parents - The Yearling - give me a break) so kids are never taught what joy and fun reading is.
Also, (I just finished Nickle and Dimed) - there is a large portion of our population on survival mode, with zero time and energy to read let alone get to the library.
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amanelle · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 347 Location: NC

I love to read, I can't imagine not wanting to read. My Dad however does not like to read. I don't ever remember seeing him read a book. He'll read the occasional magazine. When I was a kid he always made sure I had books to read. He was always taking me to the book store or library, too bad none of it rubbed off on him.

ad_ho · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Austin, TX

Wow. That surprises me. My man does not like to read for pleasure though, but he was not raised in a reading family, if that makes sense. It does make a big difference. But, he reads all the time for school, and he reads the newspaper almost daily.
I would love to get your books PamtheQueen! That’s because I never buy books though. My friend and I were talking about the myriad of benefits of the library vs. buying. But, I do miss being able to get the newest best-sellers. Last time I checked there were 30 people on the waiting list to read the Davinci Code. You don’t want to know about HP!
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kungfugirl · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 22 Location: Seattle

That's the topic of today's The Conversation on our local NPR affiliate at 1pm. I can't wait.

When I graduated from college, I started reading much less fiction because I'd read all of the books by my favorite authors and was no longer in an atmosphere in which I was as readily exposed to new authors. As a former English major, I was pretty picky about the quality of fiction, while at the same time mainly enjoying lighter writers like Margaret Atwood and Anne Beattie. When I went to the bookstore without a specific author in mind, I wasn't able to distinguish the purely trashy novels from the ones that I loved. I still read a lot, but find it much more difficult to find those instantly absorbing books.

I hope I don't embarrass her by saying this, but you know who surprisingly NEVER reads? Mishymisu. The girl is a genius, but she doesn't even read non-fiction. That really shocked me when I found out, because she's smarter and more well-informed than almost anybody I know.

peppermintsquare · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 162 Location: austin

Erm, ad_ho, I am one of the people on the waiting list to read the Da Vinci Code and I have been for a while now. I waited for a very long time last year to get my hands on Middlesex. I borrowed Harry Potter from someone so I got that much quicker.

I love the library! But then again, I am a librarian of sorts.
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amanelle · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 347 Location: NC

Snufkin · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 4:45 pm Post subject:

brdgt · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 5:00 pm Post subject:

brdgt · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 5:03 pm Post subject:

robotgirl · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 47

Only 30 people on the list for the Da Vinci code??? I have that book on hold and I just looked at my library's website, and guess what...I am number 40 out of 820 people on the list. Crazy! I've only had it on hold since April though so it's not too bad. They have a billion copies.

I'm not too surprised about that statistic, depressing as it is. People are busy busy busy, and it's much easier to sit in front of the telly or surf the internet when you are tired after a long day at work, if you even have that luxury. My boyfriend doesn't read much either, except the newspaper, and it sort of bugs me. Once I gave him an article to read and it literally took him an hour to get through it because he had to argue with me and analyze every single freaking sentence. So maybe he just annoys himself too much to read because I know by the end of that article I was ready to punch him.

I have to admit I think I've read less ever since I took up knitting. Maybe someday I will be one of those people who can read a book and knit at the same time but for now I still have to concentrate.

(PS I hardly ever buy books anymore. I'm all about the library. Books are expensive and they take up tons of room. Someday I hope to have a giant collection but right now I'm all about taking advantage of our wonderful library system!)

ad_ho · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 34 Location: Austin, TX

peppermint- that's how I know how many people are on the waiting list! I have asked a co-worker to let me borrow hers, but she always 'forgets it'. I have borrowed from her before, and returned the book in pristine condition. She has borrowed from me, and lost the book~ mini rant.
Yea, I finally had to borrow Harry Potter from someone as well.

I am quite the opposite of the majority here. I took about a 4 month break from books after graduating college, and then read pure fluff for about 3 months. Then I realized these characters that are supposedly the heroines are the people I cannot stand in real life- it seems particularly true for the British chic lit. (Bridget Jones, anyone?)
Since then it's back to my usual judge the book by the cover choices.
Back on topic, I just don't see how people do not read anything. Books were my only friends in high school!
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brdgt · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject:

Athos · Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

i really want to make more time for reading in my life. i always feel the best after i've spent an hour reading. i walk to work (i used to read during the commute) and honestly, i've got a habit of overcommitting myself. i hereby resolve to change though! at least i've read a few books this year. i currently am reading three books on peru since i'm going there in a few more weeks, so i should commit to finishing them beforehand!