The Too Hard Basket

Many people currently do not see books as a viable source of entertainment; young people are often inclined to relegate them straight to the 'too hard basket'.

Books are more difficult than many of the other entertainment options available. Reading, like many things in life, is a skill that needs to be learnt to a certain standard before it becomes enjoyable. For many who have not yet attained this standard, this is a major turn-off.

In contrast, films and TV programmes require no imagination, as the sound, visuals, and everything else is given already. One article explains it this way: "TV and computer games have their place, but they are more like amusement. Amusement comes from two words 'a' [non] and 'muse' [think]. Amusement is non-thinking activities."

With books, the instant gratification, or immediate entertainment value is only there for experienced readers, those who have learnt the skill of visualisation through practice. Learning to read well so as to get truly immersed in a story is an effort. An effort which for many is too great.

 

Our schools are doing little to help.

Another issue is that many people feel they have been "ruined" by their school years, as books in school are so very firmly associated with work.

Pages 13-14 of a report by the UK National Literary Trust notes that in a document called the 'National Literacy Strategy', under the heading of reading, not one out of seventy-one activities listed included the word "enjoy", suggesting that enjoyment is at best an optional extra. That is not good incentive to continue reading in your spare time, or even to like it.

According to this statistic, one third of US high school leavers and over forty percent of college graduates never read another book. Ever.

This is not good.