I have recently become concerned by the spiral into the non- reading abyss that extrapolations of the current levels of decline in book readership result in. Pro reading groups (the almighty Oprah included) took an almighty slap in the face when a report by the National Endowment for the arts in 2002 said that 89.9 million people in the US alone did not read a book in the
entire year.
You don't need to take a wild stab in the dark at the culprit: a well aimed; meticulous sniper bullet would do the trick. Then queue the entry of the blood spattered movies, the television with a bullet hole and the internet, that's lack of physical existence, eluded the snipers bullet. However, though these have played a part in reducing the books read they can be used constructively. Documentaries, SearchWarp and quality movies don't do any harm. But too much brainless entertainment and simple websites are not good for you. Some is fine but there is too much.
Good reading is important. I bet all the majority of good writers here read books. There is certainly a correlation between reading and writing – for one watch your vocabulary sky rocket. Fair enough just because you have read Shakespeare doesn't necessarily mean you can give him a run for his money. But if you don't read anything you've go about as much chance of giving him a run for his money as a exceptionally dumb Amoeba has of winning the Noble prize for theoretical physics.
It is about time for me to use what little influence this column gives me to try to tackle the problem. The first thing I will say is stay right where you are. Not just on this article – though I am glad you dropped by to read it is a start- but flick through SearchWarp: there is phenomenal amount you can learn from the many talented writers on SearchWarp.
But with this article I want to focus on books. I could sit here and tell you that you must read every classic book ever written – it is a good idea but hold your horses you don't want trampled. Plus, I don't guess that would encourage a non-reader to read more.
I would suggest that if you fall into the non-reader category you need to find something you like. For example, what are your interests? If you plan to get reading you need to be careful in your book choice: should you choose the wrong book chances are you will get bored and give up – I can sympathise.
Furthermore, if you don't want to give up I would recommend that you try a few quick reads. A quick read is descried as: "ideal for regular readers wanting a short, fast read, and for those who have lost the reading habit or find reading tough. They are short, sharp shots of entertainment" according to the main quick reads promoter (www.quickreads.org.uk ). The great thing about a quick read is that you get all the plot/ key ideas in a short time and you get the lovely feeling of achievement when you finish a book far sooner.
Sadly, you don't want to spend your entire life reading quick reads… surely? Though, quick reads are normally incredibly well written but they often lack the depth longer books can provide the reader. For example, it takes time to get to know a character and really get into to a book. I have found that quick reads finish too fast and you don't get into the story enough by the end.
Therefore, once you have got into a way of reading you should progress to read longer books and try and diversify your reading – though still read quick reads on occasion. When I say diversify your reading I mean instead of only reading one genre of book e.g. humor move to try other genres such as crime, non-fiction, romance, historical drama, poetry and so on. It is by this process that you will determine what you really like. I have read Romance books and found I can't stand them. However, when I read the Great Gatsby (based around a romance) and I loved that. Reading diversifies the mind and diversifying the reading further diversifies the diversified reader.
Now I am going to get to the classics. I find the classics are books to be built up to. I read Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens when I was 10 and that made about as much sense as none to me at the time. Yet, years and years later I reread it, having built up to it, and I now love it. I really would advise you to give them a shot. Here are a few ones to start with:
1. Animal Farm by George Orwell – both a complex book with deeper meanings and a nice story
2. Burmese Days by George Orwell – well written with great plot
3. Lord of the Files by William Golding
4. Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck – short
5. The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald – such a great plot and thought provoking read.
The above books I have chose since they have a great plot and thus are a great way to introduce classic literature without being too farcical. I can ensure you that you will like at least one classic book.
Aside from just books remember not every great writer writes novels. Some of the best writers around write for quality national newspapers. I emphasize the word quality as reading the like of the Sun with a reading age of eight will not get you far. I am talking about broadsheets with in-depth articles and well written content. Magazines –not "lads' mags" and co- are another way to get a reading fix. Just pick a magazine that suits your interest and your off. For historians I recommend BBC History magazine, for scientists I recommend New Scientist, for Gardeners I recommend Gardeners World, for tech guys I recommend Wired, for witty humor I recommend Private Eye and for the writer I recommend the Writers Magazine.
Alright then, I have to end this article somewhere, what a pity I was really getting into this one, so for now the reading is over so I hope you're just away to grab the nearest piece of writing because this article is ending in: five –where did I put that book. Four- I'm sure it was there. Three – I can't find it. Two – ah ha there it is. One – shut up, go away, can't you see I'm reading? 0.
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