The Joy (And Some Facts) of Reading

Articles

Patricia Jacobs

The Joy (And Some Facts) of Reading
May 8, 2003

I've been to Wonderland and through The Looking Glass with Alice, laughed at the misadventures of Henry Huggins and his dog Ribsy, was an early 1900s teen with Betsy, Tacy, and Tib, and explored many exotic countries.

I've puzzled over and solved mysteries with Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock, and Agatha Christie. I wanted to BE Harriet The Spy or a princess from Grimm's Fairy Tales. And I cried over Charlotte's Web.

I've been in scary, creepy moments with Stephen King (and lately Dean Koontz), in the Courtroom (and sometimes the cotton fields) with John Grisham, and in peril with the heroines of V.C.Andrews.

I've been behind the scenes at Saturday Night Live, practiced feng shui, and became involved in the lives of several notable people and went back in time to witness great historical events. And all from the comfort of my armchair (or bed, desk, etc....you get the picture.) I was anyone, went anywhere, and could do anything through the magic of books.

I've heard many people say, "Once I read a book, it's over; there's nothing else to do there." Or "I don't like to read."

That's a pity, for they are missing out on so much. Reading not only takes you to other worlds and provides harmless reality "escapes", it also makes you smarter. I'm not talking about the obvious classroom textbook reading, I mean reading just for the sheer need to know about something or someone or the curiosity factor. Even when you're perusing a fiction book, your imagination's working overtime as your brain creates those particular images in your mind.

Just look at the Harry Potter phenomenon. Young America became a nation of avid readers! The Potter books cut across gender and racial lines, even though traditionally females read more than males.

Libraries are becoming the new town center and place to be. They're not only the most common source for books to read (The second most common source are from family and friends),but many are now multi-media, with computers, CDs, videos, and DVDs in stock.

Did you know that on average, Americans read less in the summer than during the rest of the year?(2.6 books, summer months. 2.8 books, the rest of the year) Those most likely to read more, year-round, (including summer),are high-income earners between $40,000 and $50,000,adults(especially the separated, divorced, or widowed),and college grads. The married and never-married tend to read the least, but there are exceptions.

When buying books, the American public favors large bookstore chains(48%). 30% go to locally- owned bookstores, and the same percent look for bargain sales. Online book buying only comprises 13%.

97% love reading a novel at home,32% read on a plane,27% on the beach or at a pool, and 22% read in the park. 23% bring books to work.

Newspapers, however, are the most popular reading choices among those 50 and older,54%. 34% of this group read books,24%,magazines.

Under 50,there's a big difference: More read books, while 32% read newspapers, 22%, magazines. Men in this group also favor newspapers; women prefer books.

Many paper readers in general are much more interested in national and international news AND are also more interested in their area local news than the average book reader.

So many papers are seeking subjects that may attract this particular group. (For example, my local paper added a Sunday "Hi-Tech" section a year and a half ago.)

Older people and the elderly are very loyal to their newspapers-except for a slight decline, it's been pretty steady for several years.

I personally carry a book around with me all the time; it's an instant depression buster, one of the few hobbies that's totally free, and has become as necessary as my purse. I read while waiting in line, on the bus, and anytime I can grab a moment. I've become known as "the book lady." It's a title I wear proudly and hope to serve as an inspiration to others.

So whether your passion's books, newspapers, magazines, or even cereal boxes, just READ!

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Email Patricia Jacobs: Patj25@yahoo.com

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