Not too long ago, I got an e-mail from a friend that talked about the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device. It was described as a revolutionary breakthrough in the world of entertainment: No wires, no circuits, no batteries and simple enough for a child to operate. I must say, I was intrigued by this BOOK device; it was something that I was introduced to many years ago but I had never heard it described in such a way.
After learning about the durability, portability and reliability of the BOOK, I had to wonder whether my peers have ever heard of such a device. I am aware that the book is not a new device, but to hear it described in modern terms – browse features and indexes – really puts it on a whole new playing field.
To many youth today, the book is a thing of yesteryear. Books are motionless, there are no explosions, and there is no volume button. The book has now become, if nothing else, a torture device. And even though I cherish the written word, I can understand the cruelty that can be found within it. I have been forced to read many books since the beginning of my school career, and I did not appreciate a rather large portion of them. Some people, however, allow the stigma of the assigned reading to follow them around and prevent them from picking up other more enjoyable works of literature. These people are truly missing out.
One of the most amazing things about books is their ability to transport the reader to another time or place. A book can put you on the Beagle with Darwin, send you to the outer reaches of the solar system, give you a glimpse of the Civil War, let you track down a criminal, or experience the paranormal. It is simply astonishing what a book can do. A book has such potential to allow the reader to escape from the world. Author Garrison Keillor put it best when he said, “One reads books in order to gain the privilege of living more than one life.”
No other form of entertainment can bring such fulfillment. And while a movie is over in two hours (otherwise viewers would slip into a coma) a book can be enjoyed for a much longer time. Since the book sticks with us much longer than a movie, we get a lot more time to get wrapped up in the plot and fall in love with the characters. It is the character development that books provide that I think is the most important element; if one does not care about the character then what good would plot twists do?
As amazing as books are, it seems as though many people do not appreciate them or the reading skills that they require. I believe that the lack of enthusiasm that most people have toward reading is because of experiences reading at a young age. For the majority of my elementary school years I hated reading just as much as the next kid. However, I was fortunate enough to end up with a teacher who really brought the pages to life. She taught me to be a good reader and to love books.
I know there is emphasis placed on reading, and there are programs to encourage children to read, but it seems as though something is missing. Students seem to have an animosity toward the written word, whether they are in third grade or their third year of college. The sad thing about all of this is that the skill students hate the most is one of the most vital aspects of their education. Reading transcends subject. And that is why it is so important.
I have talked with my peers over the years about class reading; and those who don’t like to read or aren’t good at it have hurdles in more than their English class. When it comes time to take history of the Mediterranean or biological anthropology, it is important to be able to read and understand the textbook. Comprehension and the ability to skim read are vital. And being a good reader simply opens doors and makes pursuing and education easier.
Last year I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of the Chalkboard Project, a group that aims to “help create a more informed and engaged public” who knows the issues that Oregon’s schools face. During the two hours I talked with several teachers and our topic turned to reading. We all agreed that those who like to read are often those who picture what they are reading. They can see this in their students and it is something that rings true to me.
Every day, these teachers work to impart upon their students a love of reading. I hope they succeed. I have to applaud teachers, parents, educational groups and anyone else who does what they can to encourage reading and develop good reading habits in children. If one can gain a love of reading, many doors will be opened. Most importantly, one can take advantage of the greatest form of entertainment, the BOOK.
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