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I was watching the news earlier, and they had a report on how British students compared to other countries’ students. 15-year-olds took some sort of tests, and they found out that Japan and Finland are top in literacy, science, and maths. Great Britain did quite well, notably beating France and Germany (yes! {:)) in all 3 subjects.
Something a little more depressing however, was when they talked about how we could improve. They talked mostly about Literacy, and said that a THIRD of boys have never read for enjoyment. This also came to my attention a couple of weeks ago, when my German teacher asked how many of us read books (not sure why.) Myself, quite a few girls and about two other boys put their hands up, leaving around half of the class without their hands up. Now I admit, my German class is full of trouble makers, but I still couldn’t believe it.
Never?? A third of boys have NEVER read for enjoyment? No wonder Japan are so much better than us in Literacy in English skills. So these boys (and some girls I’m reckoning,) have never read a book, unless they were made to. I find that very sad. Although I watch a lot of TV, and it does provide great entertainment (sometimes,) books are more special to me. I’ve loved reading my whole life, and I want to be an author when I’m older. This worries me; as technology grows, are books going to go more and more out of fashion?
Books have many advantages over TV. You can use your imagination, and most of the time you can visualise what’s going on in your mind, rather than just looking at it on a screen. Many books are capable of doing what TV and movies are not-describing someone’s feelings. Most movies and most TV programmes have to be full of conversation, where as a book can be mostly descriptions of fellings, places etc. A prime example of this is James Herbert’s The Others, which I have just finished reading. It’s in 1st person, and so much detail is put into the book. There is conversation, but not all that much of it, but he does tell us a lot about his feelings, and what he is seeing and doing.
But this is not an argument against TV, or against movies. I’m just a little worried that books are being pushed out of soceity, in favour of TV, movies or even just going out all the time. It saddens me to think that a third of boys have never experienced the joy of reading a good book. There are so many of them out there! Classics such as The Lord Of The Rings, series’ like the Phillip Pullman trilogy, any book written by Dean Koontz, John Grisham, Steven King (is it Steven or Stephen?) and they have not even been interested in ever reading one of them. When I was 11 I started to collect a series of books called Animorphs. Although I haven’t bought one in a while, I will finish my collection, especially since I’ve got 42 of the 55 or so available. They were absolute brilliance, exactly the sort of thing I liked. I looked forward to the next one coming out, I had a favourite character who I always wanted to do ‘well’ if you know what I mean, and hell, I even wrote my own version!
Books can provide high entertainment and enjoyment, and at a cheap cost. I cannot believe that people are so ignorant (or just plan stupid,) as to not even try reading a book! It makes me sick to my stomach when people say, “Oh no, I only read magazines,” or even just, “No way, reading’s boring.” Perhaps it’s the way they’re brought up, although I know many people who have been brought up just fine, who seemingly can’t be bothered to read. As thought it’s some sort of chore.
So is reading going out of fashion? Are books becoming ‘un-cool’? Well, I certainly hope not, and I would like to think that most people will continue to read, and hopefully bring their children up to read. But at the moment, I don’t think it’s looking too good.
Thanks for reading, Ant.
Something a little more depressing however, was when they talked about how we could improve. They talked mostly about Literacy, and said that a THIRD of boys have never read for enjoyment. This also came to my attention a couple of weeks ago, when my German teacher asked how many of us read books (not sure why.) Myself, quite a few girls and about two other boys put their hands up, leaving around half of the class without their hands up. Now I admit, my German class is full of trouble makers, but I still couldn’t believe it.
Never?? A third of boys have NEVER read for enjoyment? No wonder Japan are so much better than us in Literacy in English skills. So these boys (and some girls I’m reckoning,) have never read a book, unless they were made to. I find that very sad. Although I watch a lot of TV, and it does provide great entertainment (sometimes,) books are more special to me. I’ve loved reading my whole life, and I want to be an author when I’m older. This worries me; as technology grows, are books going to go more and more out of fashion?
Books have many advantages over TV. You can use your imagination, and most of the time you can visualise what’s going on in your mind, rather than just looking at it on a screen. Many books are capable of doing what TV and movies are not-describing someone’s feelings. Most movies and most TV programmes have to be full of conversation, where as a book can be mostly descriptions of fellings, places etc. A prime example of this is James Herbert’s The Others, which I have just finished reading. It’s in 1st person, and so much detail is put into the book. There is conversation, but not all that much of it, but he does tell us a lot about his feelings, and what he is seeing and doing.
But this is not an argument against TV, or against movies. I’m just a little worried that books are being pushed out of soceity, in favour of TV, movies or even just going out all the time. It saddens me to think that a third of boys have never experienced the joy of reading a good book. There are so many of them out there! Classics such as The Lord Of The Rings, series’ like the Phillip Pullman trilogy, any book written by Dean Koontz, John Grisham, Steven King (is it Steven or Stephen?) and they have not even been interested in ever reading one of them. When I was 11 I started to collect a series of books called Animorphs. Although I haven’t bought one in a while, I will finish my collection, especially since I’ve got 42 of the 55 or so available. They were absolute brilliance, exactly the sort of thing I liked. I looked forward to the next one coming out, I had a favourite character who I always wanted to do ‘well’ if you know what I mean, and hell, I even wrote my own version!
Books can provide high entertainment and enjoyment, and at a cheap cost. I cannot believe that people are so ignorant (or just plan stupid,) as to not even try reading a book! It makes me sick to my stomach when people say, “Oh no, I only read magazines,” or even just, “No way, reading’s boring.” Perhaps it’s the way they’re brought up, although I know many people who have been brought up just fine, who seemingly can’t be bothered to read. As thought it’s some sort of chore.
So is reading going out of fashion? Are books becoming ‘un-cool’? Well, I certainly hope not, and I would like to think that most people will continue to read, and hopefully bring their children up to read. But at the moment, I don’t think it’s looking too good.
Thanks for reading, Ant.
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I think my and misterhappy seem to have a lot in common when it comes to opinions and I agree with him about what he said. You could hear people talking around school and taking the p*** about people who went to watch Harry Potter and all because the mains stars were children and most importantly of all, it was based around the book....a childs book.
Although I called it a childs book there, many of us will know that it is far from it and many adults actually enjoy it as well, so what makes films like Jaws and Jurassic Park so different then? Because they are horror and we are therefore allowed to watch them?
I don't actually read. I pick up a book and then being to read it before turning either to my computer, video collection or piano to keep me occupied. I think perhaps I should read more often, but I don't have the patience and for what you could read in 3 days could have been you watching 8 times as many films.
I'd say without a doubt that reading is now unfashionable but then is everything. Being clever is not a good thing anymore and success is looked upon as unordinary basically. People will always be jealous about something else and people will always have their opinions.
Although I called it a childs book there, many of us will know that it is far from it and many adults actually enjoy it as well, so what makes films like Jaws and Jurassic Park so different then? Because they are horror and we are therefore allowed to watch them?
I don't actually read. I pick up a book and then being to read it before turning either to my computer, video collection or piano to keep me occupied. I think perhaps I should read more often, but I don't have the patience and for what you could read in 3 days could have been you watching 8 times as many films.
I'd say without a doubt that reading is now unfashionable but then is everything. Being clever is not a good thing anymore and success is looked upon as unordinary basically. People will always be jealous about something else and people will always have their opinions.
I'm a massive Tom Clancy fan, and really enjoy his books. I play games more and more, but am still just as interested in reading. There's something about reading that watching TV or playing a game just doesn't have.
Grix Thraves wrote:
I started Lord of the Rings today. It's... wonderful. Only got through a few pages, because of the large introduction, but I'm enjoying it throughly so far.
And so you should, its an excellent book. You really should read the hobbit first - its sort of a prequel, but you really need to read it as its sets a history of middle-earth. Trust me, Lord of the Rings will be better if you have read The Hobbit.
Oh, and the film looks good too. (Well, books may be good, but we can't completely ignore movies, TV and DVD can we Ant?)
:)
I started Lord of the Rings today. It's... wonderful. Only got through a few pages, because of the large introduction, but I'm enjoying it throughly so far.
And so you should, its an excellent book. You really should read the hobbit first - its sort of a prequel, but you really need to read it as its sets a history of middle-earth. Trust me, Lord of the Rings will be better if you have read The Hobbit.
Oh, and the film looks good too. (Well, books may be good, but we can't completely ignore movies, TV and DVD can we Ant?)
:)
In that case Ant you have a BAD (Book A Day) and I'll have you FAD...
;-)
;-)
Tiltawhirl wrote:
> Ant wrote:
So is reading going out of fashion? Are books
> becoming
> ‘un-cool’?
>Have books ever been considered 'cool'?
Maybe not 'cool,' but no so long ago they were the main form of entertainment. But I get the feeling that reading is being pushed out of the picture by movies, TV, DVD etc.
Thanks, by the way.
> Ant wrote:
So is reading going out of fashion? Are books
> becoming
> ‘un-cool’?
>Have books ever been considered 'cool'?
Maybe not 'cool,' but no so long ago they were the main form of entertainment. But I get the feeling that reading is being pushed out of the picture by movies, TV, DVD etc.
Thanks, by the way.
Ant wrote:
So is reading going out of fashion? Are books
> becoming ‘un-cool’?
Have books ever been considered 'cool'?
Well done on the win.
So is reading going out of fashion? Are books
> becoming ‘un-cool’?
Have books ever been considered 'cool'?
Well done on the win.
Wahey!! Cheers SR, you've brightened what has been a tough and busy day. {:)
Ice Blaster wrote:
> Well Reading takes up far to much time! Ignorance is bliss:D
I almost agree. But then last year, at the end of term at Uni, I had a few weeks, and decided to sit down and read LotR, I was determined to finish it before the film came out. And I am SOOOO glad I did. What a fantastic book. I just hope I get some more free time, cos I still want to read 1984.
> Well Reading takes up far to much time! Ignorance is bliss:D
I almost agree. But then last year, at the end of term at Uni, I had a few weeks, and decided to sit down and read LotR, I was determined to finish it before the film came out. And I am SOOOO glad I did. What a fantastic book. I just hope I get some more free time, cos I still want to read 1984.
Well Reading takes up far to much time! Ignorance is bliss:D
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