To Read or Not to Read, an NEA report released in November 2007 found that reading among children, teenagers and adults in the United States is on a downward spiral. Now, this is not exceptionally shocking news. Over the last several years, we have all seen reports or read articles speculating that technology, television and the Internet would cause a decline in readership for various forms of media, including newspapers, magazines and books.
However, in the March/April 2008 issue of Poets & Writers magazine, there is an interesting explanation given as to why reading is declining, specifically among the younger generation. In the article, The Grim Reader, author Kevin Nance makes reference to “Timothy Shanahan, a professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and past president of International Reading Association” who states that “many young people don’t read because, they say, it’s lonely.”
I was fascinated by this idea. It’s such a foreign thought to me. Whether as a child, teen or adult, I have always loved reading.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume was the first book that made me laugh out loud. As a teen, I vividly remember reading The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and loving Holden! My cheeks still flush when I think of reading my first sex scene in Forever by Judy Blume. (Is it clear yet that I’m a Blume fan?) These are books that I read on my own and later talked about with friends. I cherished those times when I would sneak away and curl up in a nook to read. I still steal away to read by myself from time to time. I love letting my imagination run wild!
I started writing because of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I was so fascinated by it that I would run full force into the back of my closet in an effort to get to Narnia. All I got were bruises. I remember thinking, “If a writer can convince me that a land exists in the back of my closet, I want to do that for someone else.” Perhaps that’s why it never occurred to me that anyone might think of it as lonely.
So how do we help others to engage with reading? How do we help them to feel connected and less lonely?
Although the study included online reading, I am left wondering if we aren’t missing something. Just as our society has had to change and adapt to new technology, so, too, may our thinking need to change with regard to reading? I mean, the fact that people are reading blogs and Internet articles means that they are reading; they’re just not reading in a conventional format. Should we use these new modes of communication as a way to encourage reading?
Here you are reading this blog, right? Do you like reading? Do you feel a sense of connection when you visit?
Obviously the advances made with cell phone technology and the ability to chat over the Internet has made it possible for people to be connected with one another round the clock but is this good? Don’t we need time to ourselves? Doesn’t our imagination require some time to play without the distraction of others? Isn’t individual creative playtime essential to the formation of creative ideas? If not, what will happen to the creative ideas of the coming generation? In addition, what happens to a generation of people who cannot deal with “alone” time?
Do books, newspaper and magazines need to change? Do you remember the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books? Do you think we need to make all materials more appealing in that sense?
I think we need to be gathering kids for readings and not just at school or at home. I think we need to have more large scale events focused on reading both in person and over the Internet. I think the in-person events should require that older children be placed in a position to help younger ones to read. In this way, the older ones are taking ownership of their own reading, feeling empowered by being asked to be the inspiration to the younger children and the young ones have reading role models.
Over the Internet is much harder. The Internet is amazing in that it has brought so many people together that may never have met but at the same time, it has caused some to isolate themselves from making connections with people face to face. In addition, it has made people feel over-connected and thereby filled with fear that they might miss something if they are not connected all the time. Yet, if this is a medium teens are using then it makes sense to try to find a way to promote reading through it perhaps with blogs or video discussion groups where kids from other countries all get together to do something with books.
Working to engage people in reading cannot be the sole responsibility of educational institutions. We all need to help. Reading helps us to understand our history, build our imagination and find connection with our fellow human beings. If we are not reading, we are not learning and that cliche but true saying will come true; history will be doomed to repeat itself.
As a writer, I would like to find new ways to get teenagers and children excited about reading. I am thinking of ideas. I sill love the feel of a book in my hand. Perhaps I’ll start with that thought and brainstorm some ideas. How will you help?
I would really love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Click that comment button and share!
