"I've always been a firm believer in the three R's: reading TV guide....

[Buckeye737]

Does anyone else think that the way that some grade school English classes are turns people off to literature? I'm NOT making excuses for anyone, believe me, but I think a lot of people get negative connotations with books when they have to write a lot of long-winded and in-depth essays about them. Again, not making excuses for people not reading, just stating my observations, but what I've noticed are students saying things like "Thank God I don't have to take English anymore...no more stupid essays about books!" Of course, it's hard to have tests about books without essays, so I'm not suggesting they are wrong, but I do think it has a negative impact on people...along with the "now now now" culture of immediate visual imagry, of course.

Very good point. I always hated reading throught elementary school up until late high school. I was reading a book in high school for homework and thinking that I prefer it much more than any other homework. I finally started to actually ENJOY reading.

 

[BuckBackHome]

I started reading the book, but decided to wait until it comes out on DVD.

Actually, I read quite often, but almost never read what they define as literature. I read fiction, mostly mysteries, and non-fiction, mostly historical. I would agree that you don't see the literature being generated today as it was years and years ago. Of course, were those classics considered such when they were first released? I don't really consider Harry Potter classics, but maybe they will be in 100 years.

 

[gregorylee]

I don't count in those stats, I haven't read a non technical "book" (see not magazine no matter how thick) in a really long time. I just don't have the time. Even with the technical stuff I find myself feeling guilty because I am not doing things that need to be done around the house or whatever.

By non technical I mean books that either relate to my job, or things I am interested in. We are looking for property and I want to build a log home so I am trying to ingest as much as I can about the techniques and tricks of everything I will need to do (the log work, plumbing, tile, drainage and the like). I personally don't feel that counts, it's not like I am sitting on the couch ready for pleasure only.