You can have my blackberry but not my book

If I were stranded on a desert island for a year, I could do without a lot of things.  Sure, I’d miss ice cream, movies, my weekly tennis game and my Blackberry – a lot – but I’d get by.  But if, on the other hand, someone said I couldn’t read a single book for the whole year, I’d start making my own sailboat.

Which is why I was bummed to read that according to a new AP-Ipsos poll, one in every four Americans did not finish a single  book from cover to cover last year.  I could certainly understand if the reason so many people aren’t reading is because they’re working 12-hour days, taking care of families and falling into bed at night, only to start all over again the next day.  I’d still argue that one of the best ways to relax and escape is with a good book, but I’d get it.

Unfortunately, the reasons are less noble and more predictable.  Increasingly according to another, similar study, we’d rather spend our time watching TV, playing video games or online.   It’s probably the same quest for instant gratification that makes us prefer fast food to a well-cooked meal that takes time to prepare.  Like fast food, these other forms of entertainment good in the moment but ultimately less satisfying and probably not so good for you in the long run.

During the most stressful times in my life, books have helped me lose track of time, place and worries.   And as they did, I also learned a lot of history, philosophy and culture.  They also helped me to learn how to think and how to write.  But mostly, they just entertained me.

I don’t know how to encourage people to read more books, but I can sure recommend a few good ones, beginning with the business books to the right here.  If you want some suggestions for lighter reading, try "Everyman" by Phillip Roth, "1776" by David McCullough, and "Time and again" by Jack Finny (great, great book about time travel and the NYC of 1888).

Comments

[jimmy]

Hear hear, Ann.

If I could make a recco - please do yourself a favor and pick up "Forever" by Pete Hamill. If you like history, NYC, and have a deep sense of love for your parents and what they stood for, this book will be impossible to put down. This is the type of book that makes you want to turn your cell's ringer to 'silent' so that you won't be bothered. I've read it three times already.

[Marobella]

hey steve,
great post. frankly, i have learned more from my reading than my college degrees (especially your book). i think it is a shame when our young up and comers dont understand the value in reading. at wirestone/chicago, we implemented what we call the dead 'stoners society where we pick one book every 5 weeks or so, read and discuss in the office. our focus is how can the key insights be applied to our business right away.

[Marobella]

hey steve,
great post. frankly, i have learned more from my reading than my college degrees (especially your book). i think it is a shame when our young up and comers dont understand the value in reading. at wirestone/chicago, we implemented what we call the dead 'stoners society where we pick one book every 5 weeks or so, read and discuss in the office. our focus is how can the key insights be applied to our business right away.