Should we be reading more?

[AB Asks]

A new report shows a quarter of Americans haven't read a book in the last year. Are us Brits better at reading regularly? Or is it a general trend, with people reading less and less in this world where televisions and computers take up so much of their time? Should we make an effort to get people reading more?

[NewDazzler]

Some of us are heartily engaged in trying to help people to read more. Have a look at www.bookcrossing.com , a site dedicated to a concept that I found intriguing. My username there is VauxhallCrosser if you want to register who told you about the site. Bookcrossing is defined as

n. the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise.

(added to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary in August 2004)

It's fun to see who picks up your book, then where it travels from there. I've had one that went down to Devon, and others have had books travel worldwide. Please feel free to give it a try and let me know by Bookcrossing message how you find it. Have fun

[B00]

Yes we definitely should be reading more! It's the basis for our language for heavens sake. In schools you can definitely tell which children read books at home and which don't- it shows in their writing grammar and understanding of our language.

Mini Boo is only 3- yet I have been taking her to the library since she was 18 months old and I always read the book we take out every night to her, then the following week we get another. She adores her story-time and so do I, it's our quite special time before bedtime.

[jake-the-peg]

Rather depends on what you read.

I rather expect someone who spends time watching TV documentries will benefit more than someone who spends the same amount of time reading trash fiction.

I'm all for the wonder of our language but language is a tool for communication.

It's pointless having a set of expensive shiny spanners if you do nothing useful with them

[Lil O'lady]

Hang on - we're all reading now!! And writing! And probaby also learning, even though as proper grown-ups we aren't meant to.
The growth of computers has meant people need to use much more reading than had been the case previously, and judging by the uptake people in the UK seems very keen.
Why is reading deemed 'more worth while' if it comes from a book?

[LoftyLottie]

Gaming is certainly good for the brain but it doesn't actually do much to increase our knowledge!

I love reading, enjoy the tele and also enjoy the computer. I think the love of books is something most people acquire in their childhood - children who are read to will generally grow up to enjoy reading.

Life is lived at such a fast pace but most of us these days and, even if reading is encouraged to help people to be quiet and relax, then we should make every effort to get people reading more.

[rojash]

If you read more, Ed, you'd probably be aware that it should be "Are WE brits..." rather than "Are US Brits...".

[shaneystar2]

I would be lost without a book to read .I read anything and everything from "trashy " detective fiction and thrillers to classics .
If I see a documentary on television that interests me and there is a book I will read it . The recent documentary Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain.for example inspired me to read his book .The recent Cranford inspired me to reread Mrs Gaskell .
I have been an avid reader since I first picked up Just William and panic if I run out of stuff to read . I haunt the library and have a huge list of books which I want to read . I even have a book in my bag for when I have to wait anywhere such as the doctors etc .
Take a trip on the tube or the train ... most people have a book in their hands .
Reading is a personal thing anyway .Book snobs ...now that's another subject for discussion !

[annie0000]

My sons teacher shared the results of a long range study done on reading to children and it had followed children from all different types of social and educational background from infacy to school leaving age. It showed that children who were read to from an early age (about 18 months I think) rapidy overtook ther peers by about 2 years in their reading age shortly after starting school. This was not related to their background at all. The interesting thing was, that no matter what work was done with the other children, they never caught up and the gap in reading age at 16 was roughly the same.

I read to my children early on and we are all regular readers in our house and my son who has only just completed his first term in P2 has just passed a reading test, which includes comprehension, designed to be passed by most children by the end of P4 in addition, he gained an almost perfect score.

My sons both love computer games, but they still go to bed every night with a book or two!

[EngTeach]

New Dazzler, I too think the Bookcrossing concept is interesting, though I never have done it.

Newsdesk- You write well constructed responses and seem quite educated. I would have pegged you for an avid reader. Not everyone likes it. I have this battle with about 200 students EVERYDAY!!!!!!!

[ginger85]

i agree i think there should be more people reading.but people they learn all they need to know from gameshows these days. and soaps are much more interesting than reading.

[society]

Reading is important - it improves our knowledge, vocabulary, writing skills and the manner in which we speak. I read each day, but not as much as I should due spending too much useless time on the computer.

[mad4music]

I love reading! I cant remember a time when I wasnt able to read my mum kinda taught me how to before school and then when I was in school and learning more about how to read I couldnt stop. Honestly! I was 8 and I can remember staying up until 12 or 1 in the morning reading and I still do and I know a lot of people my age (I'm 15 btw) that read books regularly and it really annoys me when older ones suggest that all my generation ever do is play the playstation or computer etc etc because they dont! But saying that I do think that meny people are giving up on reading and turning on the telly and that instead which I find kind of sad but I'm not giving out about telly its eduacational to people just need to find balance.

O and Newsdesk readers dont have a total lack of imagination just because you cant be imaginative enough to play out the story in your head it doesnt mean other people cant. And whether a book is boring or not depends on the reader and there likes but I kindof agree with you about Shakespear I dont think his works are all that great but I do like Dickens. And my dislike for Shakespear I could probably blame on my teacher, I had it drilled into me for the JC.