Rare Birds by Edward RicheI love this book! The chances are pretty good that this little gem has escaped your notice, but it's worth your time to seek it out. (I got a copy from the library.) We saw the film adaptation starring William Hurt a few years back and laughed ourselves silly... the book is (as usual) even better. The thread of the story involves the owner of a failing restaurant on the outskirts of St. John's, his eccentric neighbour fiercely guarding his invention against "the Winnebagos," and a conspiracy cooked up by the pair having to do with the sighting of a rare bird. Half the fun is the abundance of particularly Canadian (and Newfoundland) references and humour. I rarely laugh out loud when I'm reading, but I was laughing so hard I cried. And although I feel obligated to warn you that the moral compass of the book is seriously off-kilter... I really want you to read it anyway.
Since both adults in our house are compulsive readers, I was genuinely shocked to read this statistic in The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease: in a 1999 survey, only 16% of the adults surveyed had finished a book within the past year. I would love to hear whether that statistic seems accurate to you based on your own reading habits and those of people you know. Do you read books for pleasure? How do you make time for reading and what motivates you to read? Or, if you don't read often, what keeps you from doing it? Feel free to share some of your favourite books and authors, too.
10 comments:
I read for work and not much else. 16% seems high to me.
The last few books I've read for "pleasure" were Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and Junie B. Jones and the Yucky Blucky Fruitcake. He he. The last time I REALLY read for pleasure was last September when I flew home (alone) to my Father's funeral.
Reading a really good book is like a drug to me...it makes me act irrationally! I'll stay up till 4 AM reading, wake up tired and cranky, and then keep right on reading till that book is done! Meanwhile, my poor kids become pesky little annoyances that are keeping me from my reading.
(Sigh)...Yeah, for now it just doesn't work for me. I can't seem to be able to put a good book down once it's started!
Rare birds sounds like a fun book! I enjoy reading for pleasure, but struggle to be consistent with it. I find, for me, I need to be deliberate about it, which is why the book club thang totally works for me because I have a time frame and a specific book to read. In order for it not to feel like work, I need something not too academic and with a story that takes me away. I love stories about people, about their experiences, stories with depth. I love talented writers, and find that makes a huge difference. The barrier is totally time for me. Since I work all day, by the time I actually get to reading at the end of the day, I'm tired.
As far as the 16% stat, I don't know what I think about that. Working with adults who are illiterate, and knowing the literacy challenges in our province, I'm not too surprised by that figure. It seems a lot of the people I know don't read, or don't read for pleasure atleast.
Ok, that's my 2 cents worth. Thanks for this post!
Hello from a non-reader :) I was trying to figure out how many books I've actually read from cover to cover in my life and I would say 5. However none of these were for pleasure. They were all becuase I had to for school purposes (like when I took Canadian literature in university...what was I thinking). So many people always say "you have to read this" or "I have the perfect book for you" but I don't want to read. I know that I don't know how to relax and I'm currently working on that so who knows maybe I will start reading. When I do though I can see it being stories of people from Africa who have escpaed horrible situations or something to that effect.
Well then, Erin, do I have some books for you when you decide you're ready to read!
There's an interesting range of experiences here. Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to hearing from some other readers and non-readers!
And, Janet, I think everyone can support your decision to refrain from drug-replicating experiences while caring for your children. :)
I was just talking with a fellow employee about their 8-year-old son who doesn't enjoy reading because it takes too much concentration. But there was change in that... "Captain Underpants" to the rescue! A series of books entirely devoted to young boys and gross things they tend to love. The son is reading them and enjoying them, because that's what he's into. That's what it took for me to become addicted to reading - the stuff I was liked, for example Lord of the Rings, Lloyd Alexander's Taran series, etc.
I haven't looked back since. Every night before I go to bed (no matter what time it is), I need atleast 15 minutes of reading time.
i love getting 'lost in a book'! i don't feel right unless i have a book or two on the go. the last book i had a craving to read was "little women" and i was reading one of the sad parts at the mall while waiting for my bus. i really don't know how many times i've read it but i still felt like crying at that part. can i borrow that book mel?
Which one? Rare Birds?
I hope I'm not too late to comment. Since I've been on vacation, I've finished 3 books, am still reading 2, and have 5 more on my shelf waiting their turn. Once the semester starts again, that will slow down. I remember being thrilled after I graduated University because I finally had time to read.
I have been a voracious reader all my life, except for the year at university!
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