I’m a reader.
In part because I was raised a reader (thanks, Mom!). In part because I love learning. And in part because I enjoy spending the time alone.
I feel very blessed with knowing how to read. Whole worlds are open to me, only because I can make sense of the symbols on a page. I’ve learned and been challenged in what I believe because I can read.
So you know what really bugs me?
When people choose not to read.
I don’t mean those that can’t read, whether from lack of opportunities to learn, lack of material to read, or learning disabilities. And I don’t mean those who are in a time of life where they can’t read what they want, like young mothers or students (though anyone can find a few minutes to read here and there…it took me 6 months to read Gone with the Wind in college, but I did it).
I mean those who were taught how to read, but haven’t taken advantage of it.
It’s worse than being given a driver’s license and the keys to a Maserati and shrugging at the opportunity in order to go to bed early.
I just don’t get it. Sure, not everyone is going to read as much as me. But reading even one book a month only requires reading about 10 pages a day. That’s 15-30 minutes for most people. Of course, it’s hard to stop after only 10 pages…
There’s all sorts of things to read.
Fiction of all sorts: from adventure or romance to fantasy and science fiction.
Non-fiction of all sorts too: politics, mechanics, travel, memoirs, parenting, and personal growth.
What do you like to read? If you’re numbered among the intentionally illiterate, what would get you to read?
Photo by Stuck in Customs
I absolutely adore Danielle Steel. She’s been a favorite of mine since I was 13. My dad didn’t get into reading until after college, and it made him realize how much things might have gone easier for him if he had enjoyed reading at a younger age. So he decided he didn’t want that for me, and my parents were always buying me books, or handing me down the ones they had read.
I’ll always be grateful to my father for that. Instilling in my the love of written word.
AMEN! I couldn’t agree with you more!
And, well, you know what I like to read…
I tend to go through phases where I’ll read more of one kind of book than others, at the moment it’s historical non-fiction. My most preferred genres are fantasy, historical fiction, and a bit of chick-lit to break it up.
I see friends watching so much reality television and losing their imagination, it’s sad because I know that in their case some reading would do them good.
I feel the same way about people that won’t take 15-20 minutes a day to do coupon/deal shopping business! I just don’t get it. :)
When I was pregnant with Em, I loved a series by Tamar Meyer (?). Fiction mystery centered in a Penn Dutch community and always with some Penn Dutch recipes in it…titles such as Rosemary, Sage, & Crime, etc.
I’m with you. I wish many people would read more. I read both novels and books on Christian living. I even find that when I don’t spend very much time in the Christian living, my spirit dries up, even though I’m still reading the Word each day. There is something about keeping God’s truth in your mind all the time that benefits a person greatly. I just wish people would “get it”.
I enjoy historical fiction (particularly Civil War period) and mysteries. I’m not always drawn to contemporary fiction, but I’ve read some recently that I enjoyed. I’m sort of picky, I guess.
Well, I grew up thinking I didn’t like to read. At 42, a turning point in my life, I promised a friend I would go to the library and check out one book…I was hooked. Then, thanks to one of my daughters, she took me to a city library to get a card at a BIG library. I am definitely hooked. I like mysteries, Robin Cook, Robert Parker (RIP) Jim Patterson…I must become interested in the first chapter or so, or the book goes aside. I previously thought if I started a book, I had to finish…not anymore.
Oh yes, also Stuart Woods…
I love to read all genres – though I definitely get stuck in genre ruts, where for up to a month I’ll only read books about a single subject. Something about finishing a specific kind of book just makes me want to read more just like it.
I’m really eclectic, because if someone suggests a book I’ll definitely try it. But on my own I tend to pick Young Adult fiction, memoirs, and graphic novels, of all things.
Voluntary non-reading is also a huge pet peeve of mine. As someone who works so hard to teach literacy to children, it makes me wonder what went wrong when I meet people my own age and even adults who refuse to read.
I have a ROOM full of books – my dad has to build me shelves… I dont even KNOW how many books are in there… me & my husband were in there & he said, “I cant believe you’ve read all these” – I asked him if he’s ever read a book in his life? He said, “Nope – just comic books”… that blows my mind!!!!! How am I married to this man? :) I just dont think people GET how good books can be!!!
I love to read fiction, particularly the C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, Andrew Peterson variety. Unfortunately, I don’t take much time out for that kind of pleasure reading.
For the most part I read a lot of non-fiction, primarily Christian.
Online reading, I’m sad to say, has drastically cut into my book reading.
Veronica: I think that developing a reading habit in elementary school helped me in college, and I certainly think it’s helping me today, too.
Carrie: Yeah, you like to read books that entice me to read them as well…
Charlie and Megan: I go through phases as well. Right now I’m not a non-fiction kick, primarily “reading” fiction through audio books (another kick I’m on).
Cheryl: Haha, maybe if it wasn’t just me…
Liz: While the Bible is certainly sufficient, I think that we miss out if we don’t learn from the insights of others into God’s word as well.
Melissa: I’ve read a lot of YA and memoirs lately as well. They’re very accessible.
Rebecca: I don’t think I could marry a man who didn’t like to read at least something!
Barry: Me, too. It also has added to my TBR list as well…find so many good books to read through the reviews of others!
I used to read a lot! I remember that I did. Mystery and spy novels were my thing mostly. Oh and I did read the Left Behind series. Rebecca by Daphne DeMaurier is my favorite book ever. However, I tend not to read now. I just don’t really have a lot of spare time to myself. Most of my “spare” time is taken up with family activities. Now that I think about it, I really miss having time to read, reflect on my days, and even journaling.
I haven’t been reading as often now as I did when I first got out of college (I was so excited to not be FORCED to read things, I went crazy lol). I like reading, and I need to pick it back up as a more frequent hobby.
I just saw a play last night about Frederick Douglass in his early years, and how he pretty much risked his life to read and to teach others to read. It’s a shame that reading isn’t something people take advantage of in that kind of way any more.
I never used to get people that didn’t read books. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would deprive themselves of the opportunity to read. Then I raised my son and that changed my thinking. I read to him from the time he was a baby, took him to the library often, encouraged and rewarded him for reading, but you know what? He got to a certain age and he just didn’t want to read books anymore. He reads what he needs to for school but would never and I mean NEVER pick up a book for no reason at all. But you know what else? He is a brilliant writer and intellectually curious about everything. If he sees something on TV about a certain topic he will look things up on the internet and read more. Recently we watched several documentaries about terrorism because of all of the recent news. I have finally realized that his intellectual curiosity is manifested in different ways than mine. And the good news is that he is a really good reader so maybe someday he will get back to reading books!
Liz: Yeah, I know that not everyone has as much time to read…but you should try to squeeze in a little bit again!
LaNeshe: I read his autobiography last year, and I was inspired by his drive to learn. Most American high school graduates (and lets face it…college graduates) could not write as well as he did, yet they’ve had numerous more educational opportunities.
Kathleen: I do think that it’s not a one-size-fits-all thing. I think with boys it’s even harder, because a lot of the books picked out for classroom reading are more interesting to girls (since most literature teachers are girls).
I like to read all kinds of things – it’s easier to say what I don’t like to read – romance, horror and sci-fi/fantasy. I cannot imagine life without the written word.
Kathy: I’ll agree with 3 of those no-read zones, but sci-fi? There’s some great stuff out there! Seriously, I think everyone should read Ender’s Game. Orson Scott Card is more of a philosophical writer than a “hey, cool! weapons and aliens!” writer.
When I was younger I was branded as “Dyslexic” and however true the diagnosis was, the stigma associated with wreaked havoc on the value of my education. Reading is challenging, and it gives me headaches, but to combat what I initially felt was just “boring” I have started reading more “fact” books that are broken down into short sections of a few paragraphs. I think I really overcame the “stigma” is high school, but by that point, reading had become boring to me. I think I can probably count the number of novels I’ve read on two hands. I have read almost the entirety of Wikipedia though. That’s my kind of stuff!
I also love to read and like you, I was raised a reader. My mom and dad read to me and my siblings all the time and encouraged us to read on our own. But, it’s weird because up until his mid-twenties my brother would have fallen into your ‘intentionally illiterate’ category. He never read anything he wasn’t required to read (and often not even that). He just never enjoyed it (which I totally don’t get). But I don’t know what changed but something did because now he is definitely a reader. Not a big reader like you or me, but he always has a book on the go.
As for what I read, I like to mix it up between really awesome literary award winning books and trashy vampire books full of romance and violence (apparently Kathy and I disagree and that’s ok!).
I can not even imagine a life without be capable of reading. What an immense loss. And, like you, I find it hard to believe that some people just don’t like to read. I find that idea completely unfathomable, but I do know that that is the case for many people.
I’m a huge reader. I love books and I love reading. I understand that some people don’t want to read but I don’t understand not picking up a book to learn something!
I love to read,but I’m definitely not surrounded by others who do. That’s why I love the blogging world.
I choose to read my bibles and anything good. Unfortunately it has to be really good, or highly recommended, for me to read it. Primarily my interests reside in christian books (Pursuit of Holiness, Servolution, etc)and non-fiction (military history). So I probably fall into the intentionally illiterate. Unless you count blogs! lol
It’s amazing to me when people say that they don’t read or that they don’t like it. I don’t get it, either.
I don’t always have as much time as I’d like to read, but I still find some time.
Thanks for visiting me on my SITS day on Monday!
Jessica: Wikipedia is such an easy source for answers…I’m always disappointed when it doesn’t have what I’m wanting!
Claire: I like the award-winning stuff (or stuff that should win awards and doesn’t…those tend to be better). At least you eat your peas and carrots along with you dessert!
Pam: I know there are people who can’t read, often by no fault of their own. Makes it even more sad that people would *choose* to not read.
Yvonne: I think that’s what great, too. I have a couple of friends who like to read, but online I can read the blogs of dozens of people who like to read as much as I do!
Janet: At least you read *something.*
I have to say, I cringe whenever someone tells me they hate to read. How can you hate reading? Maybe they just haven’t found something that appeals to them – I know that there are people who were forced to read really dry, unappealing stuff in school and have carried around the notion that reading can’t be fun or pleasureable. Just not so!!! Not like I need to tell you that, from what I’ve read here so far!
I have so many books I just don’t know what to do with them all. I love historical fiction and non-fiction as well – David McCullough is one of my favorites, he has brought so many fascinating people and situations to life for me.
Recently I read “The Help” – LOVED it!
I have to confess that I don’t read anywhere near as much now as I did when I was younger… but I did used to read a LOT. And now, I find that writing uses the same part of my brain.
I love this post. We travel a lot and somehow don’t meet a lot of readers. I have grown to love some of the many book blogs b/c it is so nice to know we’re not the only book lovers out here. (I don’t have a book blog, but I write about reading sometimes.) I don’t think I’ve let many days go by without reading in (I hate to say how many) years.
Thank you for posting this! I absolutely agree! I was in charge of a school wide initiative to encourage kids to read. We had nearly 50% of our English Second Language school meet the goal of reading 25 150 page books. It was really awesome.
Hooray! An excuse to recommend 2 titles to yet more people!
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen (I believe that is the last name). Absolutely wonderful.
City of Thieves by David Benioff – It was something totally different. It took me to a place I have never been before.
I guess I’m one of those ones that bugs you. The problem is that I’m too lazy to find a book that will keep me entertained. I read those Dan Brown books but his third one has annoyed me so much that I stopped reading it smack dab in the middle of it. I don’t read a lot. :(
I LOVE to read! I started reading when I was about 4, and hardly ever has a day gone by since, (almost 52 yrs… oh my!) that I haven’t managed to find ‘some’ daily time for reading.
I recently returned to Oz from a trip home to California, and while everyone else was buying souvenirs and clothes, I was stocking up on cheap books! They were too heavy to cart home in the check-in luggage, so they’ve been shipped home – and I can’t wait for them to arrive!!
Right now, I’m reading anything I can find by Barbara Kingsolver, (thanks to a friend’s recommendation) but I’ll read just about ANY genre if it catches my interest!
I wonder if people read less books now because they read more on the internet? I still think we should read books, but a lot of my magazine and newspaper reading has been replaced by the computer.
Good post
Jen: Yeah, that’s the problem with forced reading in school. I mean, I get that, but it’d be nice to allow most of the reading you require children to do to be self-selected (among a group of good, but varying options).
Rachel: That’s fair. I think the important thing is that you read *some* (versus none).
Sallie: That is the awesome thing about blogging!
Elizabeth: That’s awesome!
misfitinparadise: I’ll have to check out the titles. I have heard of Water for Elephants but not the second.
Angelica: I’ve only read one of his, and it annoyed me thoroughly. Don’t give up…I’m sure you *can* find something!
Tatersmama: Are books cheaper in the States? Or did you just find a good deal?
Brenda: I know I would read more without the Internet. I think it’s good and bad…I have access to better information and up-to-date things, but of course there’s a lot of junk, too.
I love words (although generally I’m a person of few).
DR: Thank you for saving me. =)
I am just like you. I LOVE reading. I was also raised by a reader, I love to learn, and I love spending time alone.
It also bothers me when people just don’t read because they don’t want to. They only read The National Inquirer or other tabloids. What about substantial books? It always irritates me when I read some Facebook profiles and in the Favorite Books section there will be some comment like “What are books?”, “Reading is boring”, etc.
.-= Lis´s last blog ..What’s The One Thing You Fear The Most? =-.
I learned to read before kindergarten, and I feel the same way. I’ve never understood why anyone would not love to read if they knew how. My mom always told me that you can learn anything if you know how to read. Because of her farming lifestyle as a child during the Great Depression, she was only able to attend school half the year. She made up for the time she missed in school by reading anything and everything. My dad, who is a writer, grew up in much the same way. I’m happy to say my husband and I passed on our love of reading to our daughter. Freedom of all kinds can be discovered in the pages of books.
.-= Kelley´s last blog ..Le Jongleur/The Juggler by Marc Chagall: Inspiration for the Art Bead Scene Contest =-.
So glad I found your blog! I devour books. Seriously. It’s like a sickness. I learned to speed-read in high school, and my books never seem to last long enough. My life is not exactly slow, but I cannot bear to be between books. You CAN make time to read, if you want to. I read almost constantly. As in, while drying my hair, brushing my teeth, applying makeup, eating meals, etc. Sure, it makes me a bit slower than I might otherwise be, but it makes me happy.
It always saddens me when friends tell me they don’t read, especially when they say they don’t have time. If you love something enough, you can find the time. And (trying not to sound cheesy here) it literally opens new worlds.
Can’t wait to explore more of your blog. :)
.-= Angie @ On the rocks and straight up´s last blog ..Ridiculously specific specification, or, does this post make my butt look big? =-.
This is really a great post!
I love reading and I promised myself that I will read at least 1 chapter a night before I sleep…well sometimes I ended up reading more than 2-3 chapters. For me reading is one of my ‘escape’ way from everyday life and it’s ups & downs. Currently I’m reading Patricia Cornwell’s book as I’m crazed about her Scarpetta series, it’s been a slow process finding her books in English here and I only wants to read them in english since it helps me a lot with mine and sometimes when it’s translated, it just lost it’s effects.
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..On Finding My Voice =-.
Kelley: “Freedom of all kinds can be discovered in the pages of books.” Yes!
Angie: It bugs me when I’m not “into” any book at the moment…makes it hard to get myself to sit down and read!