But It's FUNDAMENTAL.

I just read a report claiming that 1 out of 4 Americans didn't read a single book last year and this BLOWS MY MIND. This just proves once again that I am an inveterate nerdy bookworm and always have been, as my response to this article was to wonder half-seriously what these people are doing all the time.

I am someone who CAN NOT not have something to read. As a child, I used to take books into the shower because showering was so BORING. (Now I just read the back of the conditioner.) I pack 4 books for a one week trip, especially if the trip involves an airplane. The thought of being on a plane without a book actually fills me with panic. I have to read something before I go to sleep at night; it's been my ritual since before I could actually read. The idea of being condemned to go a year without reading something gives me hives. 

Fundamentally, this isn't really a post about How America Is So Dumb Now Oh My God. I have no idea if 25% of people didn't read a book in 1963, either -- it certainly seems possible. I guess it just makes me dorkily sad that other people don't get the same enjoyment out of books that I do. They're so delightful! You can learn things! About wizards! Or botany! Or spies! Or drugs! Or sex and rock and roll! Or murder! Or any number of things!

So that's my Public Service Announcement for the day: read a book this year! They're potentially so much smuttier than basic cable.

Comments

[Lauren]

This actually really frightens me. I can't fly without a book either, and was the geeky kid in elementary school whose parents punished her by taking away all books/magazines for a week.

(It was brutal.)

[Carrie]

Although I think that study might be a bit skewed, I'm not all that surprised by the results. As hard as it is for me to personally understand, many, many people simply don't like reading.

I admit I don't read as much as I used to (TV takes up too much of my time in this post-Tivo world) but the thought of taking a vacation without a book handy sounds terrible. Vacation is reading time!

[Heather]

Yeah, I feel like young kids do so much "reading" on the Internet that it never occurs to them that it's not the same thing as reading a book.

I can't fly without copious reading material, either -- I take at least four books and a pile of magazines. As you've seen.

[Jessica]

Oh, I totally understand that many people don't enjoy reading, much as I don't enjoy, you know, algebra. But as someone who loves reading SO much, the idea of going through a year without reading a book makes me very sad and a little panicky.

[jstilwe]

I don't understand people who don't read -- it's like people who say they don't really like food. I just... how can you NOT? I was on an online dating site that had "What was the last book you read?" as a profile question, and guys who said they didn't like to read were automatically crossed off my list.

[Dawn]

"Smuttier than basic cable" is the best reason for reading I have ever heard. I love it.

[Irwin Handleman]

I think this whole thing is unfair, and I propose a new formula. If you read 100 wikipedia entries, that counts as a book. Entertainment Weekly's spring, summer, and fall preview issues: a book. 3 foreign films: a book.

[julie]

Totally disturbing. I've also encountered the impracticalities of trying to read a book while doing basically everything. If I could read and knit at the same time I would be totally content (and probably never have a date again).

[Jessica]

I also once tried to read to hike simultaneously. My mother -- who was making me go on the hike -- was not amused. (Although I feel like she must have been A LITTLE amused)

[The Boss]

I used to read while walking to grade school. The result: Always late, though school was close. When I lived in NY I would read the paper while walking down the street. I had a friend whose parents would let us read at the table, so I loved eating at his place. I still read while brushing and on the toilet when possible. When I vacation I'll bring multiple HARDBACK books (for my last vacation, a week on the beach in Mexico, I brought among other things the abridged diary of Samuel Pepys, which is weighty). My dream job: paid to read. Not being a book editor or lit agent, just paid to swing in my hammock and read. So, yeah, I like reading.

However, on a plane it almost has to be Maxim or FHM or similar. Go figya.

[Rach]

Man, I'm so glad I wasn't the only one that read in the shower as a kid. We spoke about this in my office the other day and I was a total outcast for mentioning it. Seven Little Australians got wet and eventually quite mouldy, but I'm sure they wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

[Whitney]

I still remember Mrs. Goforth writing the word RIDE on the chalkboard and teaching us to read it in first grade. I thought it was magic. I still do.

[Whitney]

I still remember Mrs. Goforth writing the word RIDE on the chalkboard and teaching us to read it in first grade. I thought it was magic. I still do.

[fashiongirl]

" I used to take books into the shower because showering was so BORING."

Um, I've been given very strange looks when I tell people I read books while I dry my hair. I have long, super-thick hair. It takes 30 minutes to dry it (with a the T3) - I have to have SOMETHING to do!

[Rachel Griffiths]

I used to read while walking between classes in Junior High. Until I walked into a wall. A very large, wide wall. That curbed reading while walking. But damn, that was a good book.

[Kate]

This scared me. I read all the time, despite being in law school, where besides teaching you to think like a lawyer, they seemingly attempt to make you hate reading.

I sometimes read while driving. Just at stoplights or in bad traffic! Hey, it makes me almost welcome the traffic, and definitely cuts down on road rage.

[Blonde Savant]

I'm flabbergasted. 1 out of 4 seems like way too much of our population. I mean, seriously? Although I must admit that I knew people in high school who were PROUD of the fact that they have never read a book. EVER!
I, on the other hand, have had insomnia basically my entire life, and I average one book every three days.

The thought of going an entire year without reading might be the most terrifying thing I've ever contemplated...

[Vizzini]

As a librarian, this horrifies me. QUICK READ! Before I become obsolete!

[RandomRanter]

Well, I read in the bathroom, but not in the shower. Or at least not books, I do read the backs of shampoo bottles and stuff. I also read at stoplights - makes commuting much less boring. But I also agree that a lot of people, while likely not reading the same quantities of stuff as I am, read a lot - be it internet, newspapers or magazines and they should get some credit for that.

[Nancy Drew]

I once was reprimanded for reading while getting a manicure. It bothered the manicurist when I pulled my hand back to turn the page (I kept the book open with my elbows).

I don't read in the shower - I take baths. Easier to keep the book dry.

[K.]

Another scary statistic: 50% of college-educated people never read another book after graduation. I work (well, worked; my last day is next week) in publishing and our CEO tossed that out during a presentation. A GIANT gasp went through the crowd, sort of like what would happen if you announced to a large group of baby boomers that you knew who shot JFK.

I don't read in the shower, but I went through a big bath phase in middle school and I would read in the tub (and drop the book about half the time). And I used to get yelled at for reading at the dinner table all the time, and for reading "adult" books we had around the house if it was, say, summer and my parents didn't take me to the library soon enough.

[Hilary]

This is so scary. I volunteer as a Big Sister to a 13-year-old who HATES reading. She says she'd much rather go on the Internet or watch TV. Sigh.

[Jen]

I wondered the exact same thing. How can you NOT read a SINGLE book? And here I was feeling guilty because I only read 46 last year! (Every year my goal is 50.)

[Becca]

I saw this study yesterday and I actually gasped, sitcom-live-audience style. I seriously don't understand people who don't love to read. But even if you don't love it, do others not have an unofficial formula like I do, of the number of books to read in order to balance out reality TV, soaps, and blogs?

I can only hope that the people who answered "no" to the poll question were embarrassed enough to run home and pick up at least a crappy bestseller.

[SP]

I once had a heavy flirtation going with a guy until he referred to an ex-girlfriend as "a reader." If that's actually notable to you, we are not compatible.
A lot of people thought I was crazy to read books for fun and relaxation in law school, where reading books was also basically our day job. They didn't understand how "Pride and Prejudice" was SO MUCH different that it wasn't even like the same thing as the casebooks.

[Jessica]

I once dated a guy who had NO READING MATERIAL AT ALL in his apt. No books, no mags, not even a TV Guide. For me, that's a deal breaker.

When my family used to go on vacay when I was a kid, we'd all take books. And I told my college bf this and he went, "When my family goes on vacation, WE TALK TO EACH OTHER." Now, in his defense, he totally reads, as does his wife, and they're a very read-y family and I think he was kind of just f'ing with me. But it was one of the first times when I realized that maybe other people didn't go off on vacation with giant books in their suitcases.

[Madeline]

reading... not much better than me and my books. I was a high school English teacher for a spell and did love it, all that reading and discussing. thank goodness for the honors kids and their book-y brains. then I got tapped to teach a reading intervention class to 9th graders with 2nd-4th grade reading levels for two hours a day. brutal. I cannot report any "Dangerous Minds" moments of me throwing out lesson plans and teaching them song lyrics as poetry (total bullshit obviously but fisticuffs did break out once), however, my heart would leap when one of those immature little hard asses would pull me aside and tell me they liked a book I had forced them to read. they are seniors now!

[Nik]

As someone guilty of reading in the tub, at the table, while folding laundry, and while blowdrying my hair, I certainly share your passion.

And everyone who loves books enough to love dressing them up should check out my friend's handmade bookcovers. Psssst- she gives them away!!!

http://scoutandjem.typepad.com/scout/2007/08/ive-been-playin.html

[Kate]

oh man. I'm a member of the 'reading dorks' club. I never ever fly without a book. Even on the 30 min shuttle to NYC from DCA. I need to have at least 4 books with me on a week vacation. I spent all of my family roadtrip vacations buried in a book while my dad pointed out historical landmarks along the side of the road.

I get dreamy eyed when I go into a bookstore. Always have, always will.

[The Boss]

This is like your most popular blog entry (blentry?) ever. Maybe you should do more posts about culture. Next up: The new Ring cycle at the Met--travesty or refreshing reinvention?

Please note, there may not actually be a new Ring cycle at the Met.

[Jaclyn]

I have to say, as a child I very much matched your bookish description. Many times I have looked up from a good book to notice with shock that HOURS had gone by since I sat down. However, law school, and practicing law, have done their best to kill my inner reader. After spending every day for the past five years immersed in cases, statutes, codes, and commentary, I've found my tastes have changed and I now prefer much fluffier, smuttier reading material outside the office (magazines, blogs, chick lit). I think this is not a bad thing; there's a lot of great writing on blogs. But, I am determined not to abandon the classics completely and just finished Jane Austen's "Persuasion", which reminded me I love Jane Austen.
Anyway, yay for bookworms and kudos for pointing out this travesty.

[Edwina]

1. If the Boss hadn't read so much he wouldn't have been so smart and able to make words up such as 'blentry'. 2. I was sad to notice living back in NY last year how many people sat on the subway WATCHING their Ipods as opposed to reading. The greatest thing in NY is the fact one can read while commuting rather than being stuck in traffic, so the fact so many people were watching Youtubeorwhatever made me shed a tear.

[passerby]

One of my favorite things to do is re-read old books that I absolutely love (especially the parts that are really memorable). It's like meeting up with an old friend.

[Olivia]

There is nothing wrong with reading chick lit. Any sort of reading at all is good for the mind, soul and imagination.

Right after I read a "heavy" book, or something that really makes me think about life/the pursuit of happiness/liberty/etc., I generally follow it up with a chick lit book. I think it keeps the mind fresh and optimistic.

[Annie]

Another life-long geeky reader here. I almost choked when I read about that study - I read and listened to four books last week, darn it!

Now that I have discovered Overdrive audio books (free from many public libraries!) that I can download to my Zen player, I feel like a whole new world is opening up for me. Reading in the shower? Just plug in your speakers. Cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry, weeding the garden? Pop on headphones and you never have to stop listening.

My ideal day involves starting up with my latest book in the morning (listening over breakfast), then plugging it into my car so I can continue without a break as I drive to work or running errands, then smoothly switching back to headphones to get out of the car. I listen to books as I ride my bike, hike on trails, and grocery shop.

(I feel like I should add that I also love to read actual paper books. I am a librarian, working on my PhD in Library Science, and my love of reading is broad enough to encompass both audio and physical books!)

[Megan]

I gasped as well when I read the one-in-four statistic. I am also a bookworm, and I read for fun and relaxation.

-I always have two books on me when I'm out and about - if I finish one, I can simply start another.

-True story: My sister broke her arm when I was about nine. We had to pack up and head to the hospital, and I had no time to pack my books. I *howled* because there was nothing to read!

-When I was in grade school, we were required to read a certain amount of minutes every week - I read that much every day.

-Oh, and the best? When I was young and acting up, my mother would "punish" me by not letting me read.

That being said, I know people who have severe learning disabilities, and reading is not fun for them because it's a chore. It's difficult for them to get through one page, let alone an entire 500-page novel. While it's difficult for me to imagine that, I can see their point. I wonder how many of the "one in four" have some sort of learning disability that makes reading no fun at all.

I can also see where many Americans are just too busy to read. When you work 60, 70+ hours a week, you finally come home and want to spend time with your family and friends. Well, maybe it's not so much "business" as it is that folks can't/don't want to make the time to read.

[Megan]

Ick. I meant "too busy" instead of "business."

[KMW]

Confession:
In second grade, we had D.E.A.R. time (Drop Everything And Read) every week. We were allowed to sit wherever we wanted in the room, but we had to read for a good solid 20 minutes. One time, I was so involved in whatever book I was reading that I didn't hear the timer go off - I just kept reading. The teacher was nice enough to just let me keep on reading, but I was SO embarrassed when I looked up an hour later and they were having class without me. I remember there was a comment on my report card that semester, something to the tune of "can get too absorbed in recreational activities." Oops.

[Olivia]

KMW, did we have the same teacher? We had D.E.A.R. F.R.E.D (Dear Fred!) - Drop Everything and Read, Free reading every day! time.

[Jessica]

Isn't D.E.A.R also in Ramona Quimby?

[badkittyuno]

I totally used to read in the shower when I was a kid-shampoo, bubble bath, anything with a label. Or, I would bring a book into the bathroom, turn the shower on, and read sitting on the floor.
Now, I look forward to college starting each semester, because I have more time to read (between classes) than I do at home. I'm three weeks into the fall semester, and have finished like four or five books.

[Erin]

People made fun of me because I took 6 books on my honeymoon, and then I finished them all before the 13 hour trip home and had a minor panic attack and seriously considered buying a book to teach myself St. Lucian Creole at the airport even though we were leaving St. Lucia.

Which is a long winded way of saying I am totally with you.