by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman
Ann Patchett, author of the novel Bel Canto in a delightful article in the Wall Street Journal, cites data from the National Endowment for the Arts that, for the first time in 25 years, fiction reading is on the rise.
The greatest numbers are the 18-24 year olds, who were raised on technology and probably were brought back to books by Harry Potter.
Patchett mentions that while people may play with a kindle or an i-book, she talks to many more who stay up past midnight reading the last chapter in a real book! She reminds us that reading is cheap and free, depending on where you get your books; and while a movie brings two hours of entertainment, a book can last for weeks.
What a pleasure to the writer when author Barack Obama announced that there will be poetry readings at the White House.
Patchett reinforces my advice to parents who want direction when their sons read only sports magazines, that it’s not what you read but it’s that you read.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
