The world could use more readers like Jack.
Jack was a young boy who bounded into Politics and Prose last weekend while I was doing a reading and signing. His energy and enthusiasm for books was infectious. He had purchased, read and enjoyed America Gives Thanks previously and was now coming in to have it signed. He scurried around the store picking up book after book, exclaiming loudly for all to hear why each “looked good.”
When he read America Gives Thanks, Jack had done something that less than 50% of Americans do each year – finish a book.
In fact, 80% of families have not purchased a book this year. Two-thirds of Americans have not read a book after high school.
Let that sink in for a moment.
The benefits of reading are significant and too many to re-count here. In short, it expands our vocabulary, imagination, empathy, perspective, understanding of the world and on and on and on.
Some will say that our reading habits have simply shifted – to online. But that reading is a different experience for the brain. It is “shallower processing” and invokes a different reward system built on speed, scrolling and quick dopamine hits. This is to say nothing of how content is fed to us online. Rather than being expansive, it can be constricting – feeding us only what an algorithm thinks we need.
Parents and teachers generally understand and encourage reading at a young age.
Just last week at a different reading, I had a young mom raising four kids largely on her own come by and purchase six books; four for her kids and two for their teachers. Some of her children have learning disabilities and she appreciated the value of books to convey important messages while also soothing and slowing down her kids. Her love of reading was as effusive as Jack’s.
Youth literacy organizations like Too Small to Fail and Raising a Reader – just to name a few – do critical work to get books in the hands of those who otherwise might not be able to afford them and to encourage a love of reading in general.
I wonder if similar organizations might be needed for adults.
It goes without saying that readers make writers possible. Writing for most of us is not a particularly lucrative career. In fact, the average book sells just 3,000 copies over its lifetime. Depending on the type of book, the writer will only get 3-15% of the book’s sales (approximately $3000-$9000.)
Outlets like Substack give both readers and writers more options to read good content. Yet only 5% of Substack readers will pay for a subscription.
Let’s go back to Jack. Imagine a world full of grown up Jacks; bustling in bookstores and libraries all across the country; experiencing wonder and excitement at every turn; supporting writers and spreading the love of reading everywhere they went. What a wonderful world that would be.
Thanks Jack and all you readers out there.
Recommendation of the Week. Spread the love for reading. Purchase a book for yourself or better yet, give a book to someone. A friend gave me a copy of Robinson Crusoe years ago when I was going through a tough time and it was a salve. What book might help you or a friend right now?
Please share this with someone who supports reading.