Not read a single book in the past year?

Jim Crace in the Guardian informs us today that "...a new report from the Office for National Statistics reveals that a quarter of people in the UK haven't read a single book in the past year - a figure that has sent the government into a tailspin."  (Another spin? I thought they'd be all flat out with dizziness by now, given the decade of spin they've delivered.)

In the same newspaper, Sian Pattenden suggests some novels to get back into the reading habit.  Unfortunately, I think this article's presentation has missed the point a bit.  It's topped with a picture of the "Crime Bestsellers" table at Waterstone's and carries the comment "Failing to inspire ... A book table at Waterstones."

A person chooses to read and what they choose to read is a matter of taste.  But the clue here is in the word "Bestsellers".  If trying to encourage those adults who haven't read a book in the past year to read something, you could do no better than suggesting a good crime or thriller novel as crime fiction regularly makes the top ten bestsellers lists, including hardbacks.  How could the majority of those who choose to read be wrong?  I'd even go so far as to suggest that the thriller would be a good place to start for a specific reason.  Why?

Reading takes time and we live in a society and culture where everything must be instant or speedy.  The digital age has fed into this: who doesn't groan when an internet page seems to take more than two seconds to load?  Who isn't irritated when the person whose mobile they just called does not ring back within five minutes?

The mode of transport of choice is usually one's own car over public transport.  The roads are jam packed with cars with one passenger: the one driving the vehicle.  Drivers are often seen with headsets for the mobile phone or (illegally) mobile in one hand hand while driving.  The "rush hour" anywhere in the UK moves at a snail's pace; thus it takes more time to travel to and from work.  Time in which a person cannot read.

Jamie, Nigel, Nigella and Gordon may have encouraged more of an interest in food and how to cook it, but this has not been matched by a decline in the supermarket stocks and range of offerings for frozen and cook-chill foods.  After twelve hours spent out of the home, door to door, it's easy to see that many will return from work and prefer to rustle with pre-packaged foods than peel and slice a carrot.

We live in an era where time is precious.  When did you last hear someone say "I've too much time on my hands at the moment"?  I bet you've heard "Sorry, but I don't have time" a hundredfold in comparison.  And with so much being quick and instant why seek refuge in a book - which takes hours - when you can have a half hour of quick-fix major drama in Corrie or Eastenders?

I suggest that the first course of encouragement should lie in letting people know it's OK to take some time out to relax.  Perhaps it's time publishers created TV ads for books based on the one where Mr prepares a bath for the homecoming Mrs with fake candles around the bath, then peels off and treats himself.  In a publisher's ad, whoever is in the bath will be reading.  Then comes a knock on the bathroom door.  "Not now darling, I'm busy.  It's just got to the stage where..."  Replace the smell factor with the spa of the mind and imagination.  A book can be as relaxing as lavender.

How about some promotions with public transport companies?  Buy a return journey today and get a free paperback.  Some might then find that public transport, accompanied by a book, is easier on mind and body than that rush hour drive.

For those who can't or won't get off the roads, how about encouraging the audio book?  A taster might get people reading again.

Lastly, for those tempted to buy a novel, who are so used to only part of the whispering foxtrot of life - the "quick, quick" bit - I suggest a decent thriller, so the change of pace is not so obvious.  A good one will have you believing the pages turn themselves over.  Try Simon Kernick's Relentless.  It is as it says on the label.

Comments

[crimeficreader]

Maxine, I haven't read anywhere that there's a fall in reading, but the government appears to have been shocked by the ONS survey result. Either that, or it was an ideal opportunity to spread the mantra again as the Crace article goes on to say:

'According to Gordon Brown, reading is "probably one of the best anti-poverty, anti-deprivation, anti-crime, anti-vandalism policies you can think of".'

[Maxine]

I wonder if things have changed, though? Was there ever a time when more people, on average, read than they do at present? Books are so cheap now, so generally available (via the internet, which has transformed the out-of-print market as well as making in-print books so cheap and available). On my daily journey to and from work, 4 separate trains, I see lots of people reading, all ages (and all types of book). I would be surprised if significantly fewer people are reading this decade compared with any other.
I should probably go and read the article to find out how someone bases this assertion that fewer people are reading, but you could have fooled me.