Book Report
Had a good visit at Warm Hearth yesterday, and remember now why I enjoyed my year and a half there as therapist. It is like being in a village of friends (chiefly the surviving women) who could also be your grandmother(s). We had perhaps twenty. In this setting, contrary to Floyd where your guests arrive tastefully late, everybody comes early. I'd decided to read a piece about cutting firewood for the guys in the audience, but then, I'd forgotten there wouldn't be so many. There was only one. Many who came were still active readers. They asked a lot of questions or had tales of their own related to the pieces I read (which included the Mother's Day piece I posted to Fragments, Home and Hearth, and Like a Dog--held loosely together by the thread of "writing down the memories."
I touted blogging as a medium for storing and sharing one's thoughts. I must have come across with sufficient (or excess of) zeal because I was asked to come back some time and talk specifically about blogging, how to set one up, and what kinds of opportunities such writing might provide. I also am hoping to hear from the one nice lady (who was far older than the twinkle in her eye would have suggested!) to help her with a small book she wants to put together just for family. She just needs a few prompts to get word wrap around her images in Word, then convert it to pdf. Another was from my home town of Birmingham. They stayed after; they trotted back to their apartments for money for the book; they made me feel welcomed and the book appreciated, and thanked the activities director for setting up the event. This was a very receptive audience. But then, they are--and have been--readers. Here's some scary stats originally from Poynter's ParaPublishing, borrowed from a "bookaholic's" weblog.
Only 32% of the U.S. population has ever been in a bookstore.Customers 55 and older account for more than one-third of all books bought."
58% of the US adult population never reads another book after high school.
42% of college graduates never read another book.
80% of US families did not buy or read a book last year.
70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.
57% of new books are not read to completion.
UPDATE 15 July: This, for those who understandably questioned the statistics. You weren't the only ones!
Comments
Ah, the 'older generation', now they have some stories to tell. Telling and writing the family stories is very important, a good exercise for the teller/writer, and a delight for the next generation to read. Sounds like you had a good experience with this appreciative audience!
Posted by: Susan | July 14, 2006 5:28 AM
"A bookstore is one of the only pieces of evidence we have that people are still reading." Jerry Seinfeld.
Sounds like meaningful evening. I have a friend who lives at Warm Hearth. Did you know that Niki Giovianni used to teach a memoir writing class there?
Posted by: colleen | July 14, 2006 9:23 AM
Fred, that data CAN'T be accurate. I know that many Americans don't enjoy reading for the sake of it, but to state that 80% of us didn't buy or read a book last year seems ludicrous. I don't think we could function as a society today if this were true. (And aren't we at least 'sort of' functioning?)
Posted by: RD | July 14, 2006 9:30 AM
sounds like a great experience! when i taught music class @ a school for children with emotional & behavioral problems, we had a small(& offkey) choir where the main feat was getting 15 hyper and adhd kids to stand still and not hit each other. but the children loved going and singing at reitirement/nursing homes b/c the folks were so loving and receptive and clapped for everything they did. they didn't judge or laugh at the kids- they just appreciated the fact that they took the time to come. the kids would stay after and visit with the residents and actually enjoyed it. so it was a mutual affection. i think they actually shared a bond b/c in some ways, they are the two somewhat neglected and forgotten groups in our society- the elderly and our foster/abused/neglected children.
Posted by: Amy F. | July 14, 2006 10:34 AM
Those numbers are very surprising in a sad way. I sure hope they are inaccurate. For example, you had to have gone to a bookstore if you went to college, and I thought that at least 25% of the US population have a college degree. So, these numbers imply that only 7% or less of the remaining population have ever gone to a bookstore. Hard to believe...
My wife reads 1 book/month in her book club, so she is sounding like a rare animal (mooo!). We are rearing our children to read heavily too.
Fred, I told you that Fragments The Movie was the way to go! Just look at James Robertson's Civil War work, which includes the movie, "Gods and Generals". He could achieve Shelby Foote status.
I guess books are being replaced by movies, cable tv, internet, x-boxes, and mp3s. Give me a good book anyday.
Posted by: Jim | July 14, 2006 2:07 PM
Fred,
Glad your visit at WH went well. I was there earlier in the day to lead a Bible Study and saw your name up on the sign. The only thing is no one went back to their rooms to give me money after my visit. I must not be a very good evangelist, or at least not fit for TV.
Enjoying the book, and I'm in favor of The Movie option, along with action figures.
See you tomorrow(?) It's Ecclesiastes 7-8 which I presently better finish up...
Chris H.
Posted by: Chris | July 15, 2006 8:21 PM