Why
do people read books? Maybe a better
question is “Why do people not read books?”
Many
adults do not read books. It’s hard to
imagine. They miss out on so much. One would assume there are specific reasons
why they don’t read. I can guess at a few:
1.
Literacy
2.
ESL
3.
Economics
4.
Time
restraints
5.
ADHD/Leaning
disorder
6.
Visual
difficulties
7.
Migraines/medical condition
8.
Mental
condition
But
each of these reasons can be overcome.
Let’s examine them:
1.
Vision
– Many people fail to get their eyes checked out by a doctor. If they did, they’d be given the proper
reading glasses, if needed. If one’s
vision is truly insufficient for reading, he or she can read braille or listen
to an audiobook.
2.
Medical
Condition – Some people can’t focus on a book because they are in pain. Some might read to distract themselves from
pain. Obviously the sooner a medical
condition can be diagnosed and treated, especially migraines, the more likely
the patient can resume life’s normal activities.
3.
Psychological
Condition – Similar to the medical condition, if a person allows a book to
distract or calm himself, it’s a beautiful thing. But therapy, medication, or other treatments
may be needed to first kick in. Our
nation needs to better address the mental health question, and once it does,
not only will we have a safer and saner society, but one that turns to books.
4.
Learning
Disorder – Dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning disorders obviously impact one’s
ability to sit still and read. The
sooner one can be diagnosed and treated for things that detract from reading,
the better.
5.
Time
Constraints – We all have busy schedules and demands relating to money, family,
work, health, etc. But we should find
the time to read a book. We can do it
anywhere, anytime.
6.
Economics
– Books have dropped in price, at least online, and many e-books are made
available for free. You always can borrow from the library. Money should not interfere with reading
books.
7.
ESL
– I encourage every American to learn English, but while you are learning the
language, read books in your native tongue.
Don’t ever stop reading!
8.
Literacy
– This is the trickiest of all and takes years to correct, but there are
effective programs to address this. We
just need to find such programs or volunteer to help, and we’ll make a big dent
in the literacy crisis.
I
didn’t include IQ on this list, simply because people at most IQ levels can
still read, even if it's children’s board books, photography books, or
educational materials.
For
those of us who love, treasure, and understand the value of books, we can’t
imagine living without books. If we can
even convert 10% of all the people currently not reading and consuming books,
we’d increase book sales by tens of millions of copies annually. Not only is that good for the book industry,
it’s great for society.
Encourage others to read a book, and if you learn of their reason for not reading, see if you can encourage them to get the proper help. Their fulfillment of life depends on it.
Encourage others to read a book, and if you learn of their reason for not reading, see if you can encourage them to get the proper help. Their fulfillment of life depends on it.
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