Thursday, September 06, 2007

Pop Culture Refugee, Part II -- What's on your night stand?

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So I'm puzzled and deeply worried by the results of last month's AP/CNN Poll that indicated 27% of Americans did not read any books last year.

Not. One. Book.

The article also states that even among the Americans who DO read, the average American only reads something like 4 books a year.

What the hell is wrong with people? I mean, I work something like a million hours a week, I have a family and a house to look after. But I still read 15 or 20 books a year and I wish I could read more.

So I have a question for my loyal cadre of 2.7 readers: What's on your night stand (or in your bathroom, or wherever you keep your reading material), and how many books do you think you have read in the last year?

And if you don't read books, what has taken the place of books in your life?

Because I'm having trouble wrapping my head around this.

9 comments:

Mkae said...

On my nightstand right now is a book called The Tipping Point. It's brand marketing crap. I didn't come close to the four books last year. I do read a LOT of magazines as most are trade industry reading.

I fill my time for reading with work...from home...yes, I'm lame.

Anonymous said...

I read so much less now that I have the internet.

Seriously. So that's seven years of reading less, and less, and even less.

BUT! I still like to read, and I read more than four books a year.

I'm finishing up the Omnivore's Dilemma, and I've got several books lined up, including works from Shirley Jackson, Christopher Moore, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Julia Child.

I really need to stop staring at my laptop screen and start reading those books!

bhd said...

I swear I'm gonna read "No Touch Monkey" on the plane tomorrow!

Otherwise, I'm addicted to crossword puzzles. Dunno why.

When I read, I'll stand up and read the book through, start to finish. It's a sickness. And it's why I read less than I have in the past (which is a pathological amount of books).

But put something of Christopher Moore's in front of me, and you've lost me to it. Entirely.

ptooey said...

To be honest with you, I rarely read anymore. I basically read for a living, and after 9 hours or so, I don't really want to when I get home. I probably slog through 4 books a year, but I can't say I feel guilty about it.

Beanie said...

So I neglected to say what's on my autumn reading list right now:

Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Dreams, which I bought a year ago and then lost on one of the book piles.

C. S. Lewis The Silver Chair, which I am re-reading with my daughter for the fourth time. She loved the whole Narnia series, but for some reason, really enjoys this one the best.

Stephen King's On Writing, which I keep around all the time as a reference.

Mary Roach, Stiff, whichi I've been promising my husband I would read for the last six months and I just haven't gotten to it yet. It's next on the list.

Ali, My husband has Omnivore's Dilemma right now. We'll see if it gets him to stop eating fast food. I'm not going to hold my breath.

Mark, you're working too much. But I work from home too, so I'm no better...

C, did Hobbitt ever read that?

winter said...

OK, I had a list of the ten or twelve books I'm working on right now all typed up nice and pretty, but then Blogger decided to forget I was logged in AGAIN.

Short version: I don't read as much as I used to, but I still read quite a bit. I find it harder to have the energy for reading after work these days.

Mike Carter said...

I read more comics than anything else (I prefer the collections) because I can enjoy them without the time or effort that books take.

I want to read more, but don't have the time. I'm currently reading "Treasure of Khan" by Clive Cussler (got it for Christmas, see how long it takes me to even get to it!), with "The Navigator" on the shelf next (and he has a new one coming in November!) I'm also in the middle of "Anasazi Boys" by Neil Gaiman.

Susan B said...

Hi Beanie,

I commented on this last week, but it isn't here anymore...

I read - quite a bit, considering I have a full-time job, a business, and twin 8-year-olds. At least 12 novels a year.

Hope you are having a wonderful September!
S

Beanie said...

Susan,

It never showed up, my dear. Maybe it was a nav thing. I accidentally blow my comments away all the time.

Thanks for re-posting! :)

The nice thing about the kids getting older is you can start reading books together that you can enjoy too! lol

September is the best time to be on the North Coast.