The counselor and I were chatting about favorite books as her young charges at the Rogers Activity Center’s Summer Day Camp checked out the volumes they could take home.
She had pointed out a favorite to one youngster who was having a hard time choosing, then she commented to me she doesn’t have time to read.
I asked how old she is, because she had the look of a person who reads, just not for relaxation. I was right. She’s a college student.
I commiserated with her, told her she would read for fun again, that I had gone through the same thing she is going through. But one day, I woke up and said to myself, “Self, you need to read a book,” or something like that. I haven’t quit since.
I was there with members of my civic club, Altrusa International of Rogers. For the past two years, we have sponsored Pages & Pictures Literacy Fair for the campers. They get a new book we buy, a gently used book from our partner, Friendly Bookstore, and a dental care kit. They get to participate in games and crafts meant to encourage a love of reading and art. Tom Jenkins, the Rogers fire chief, has partnered with us and reads to the young kids. They think he is quite the hero. And the Naturals have also partnered with us, sending players to read and Strike to pose with the kids for pictures. Bedford Photo makes sure each kid gets a picture to take home.
The campers were excited with their books, some plopping down on the floor to read until it was their turn at the next station.
What could I do to pass this kind of excitement on to the counselor?
She commented on how many books she wanted to read and wanted to remember to read so I suggested Goodreads, an application for tracking what you have read, what you want to read and what your friends are reading. There’s a newsletter that tells you all about new books and, since they know what you are reading, they send you suggestions based on what you have read.
When I got back to the office I had an e-mail from Goodreads which had surveyed members about books they had failed to finish reading. I have completion issues so I rarely don’t finish a book. Goodreads listed the five most abandoned books and I had abandoned four of them. The fifth I read, although I was tempted a couple of times to put it down.
Those abandoned books were “The Casual Vacancy” by J.K. Rowling — so bad I wondered if she had used all her skills on the Harry Potter series; “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert — it was a good title if nothing else; “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” by Stieg Larsson — so obtuse, but the movie, on the other hand, was super; and “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E. L. James — I only read a sample, but it was so poorly written it made sex boring.
“Wicked” by Gregory Maguire was the fifth book on the list. This retold “Wizard of Oz” story is the basis of the fabulous stage production of the same name. Too bad the book isn’t as good as the play.
There also were five classics listed: “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller, “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien, “Ulysses” by James Joyce, “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville and “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand. Enough said.
I advocate for reading because, if for no other reason, my life’s work depends on people reading. There are so many opportunities for people to read. They can buy and/or borrow books. E-readers mean instantaneous delivery of books to your device, either from a retail source or the local library. There are all sorts of places to buy books, both new and used — it hasn’t been too long ago when that simply was not the case.
Don’t know what to read? There is always a list somewhere. Like I said, Goodreads makes suggestions, and you can see what your friends are reading. Bookstore employees display their books of choice.
The Springdale Public Library offers NextReads which will send suggestions to your email. The Rogers Public Library has loads of reading lists on its website.
Reading for fun or education — or a combination — is so important.
It’s easy, nonfattening and can be free. Seems like three good reasons to read.
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Leeanna Walker is local editor of the Rogers Morning News and the Springdale Morning News. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NWALeeanna.