Reading: But only the rIght stuff

By David Faucheux

While channel surfing, I caught an interview on "The Jim Engster Show" produced by NPR-affiliate WRKF. The guest during the first segment was Senior Executive Vice-President of the Orlando Magic NBA team, Pat Williams. This father of an amazing 19 children and author of 40 books was appearing to discuss his latest book, Read for Your Life.

Being of a slightly library-turn-of-mind--not as much as in the past, but enough--I tuned in. I learned that the majority of people once they graduate from high school never again crack open a book, that 85% of books are bought by women, and that Williams recommends people read an hour a day. He said that people spend 4 hours a day watching television and would do better turning it off for those 28 hours. (I had heard 7 hours a day but maybe those are older stats.) He advocates the reading of nonfiction because he feels that the reader gets most from being instructed or educated. He said that for those who simply will either read fiction or nothing, fiction was the better alternative! I read a mixture of genre fiction and nonfiction. Perhaps, I should look at my 2006 book list and tabulate my reading into various categories. I blogged this for 2005.

The idea that nonfiction is of possibly more value harkens back to something I read in the book, Readers Advisory Service in the Public Library (2nd ed. ALA 1997) by Joyce G. Saricks and Nancy Brown. In the chapter discussing the history of readers advisory services, the authors point out that reader advisors tried to direct readers, especially younger readers, to "the good books" meaning the classics, the nonfiction and away from trash.

Here is an extract from Williams's Web site:

Are you a reader? If not, Pat Williams wants you to know it is not only critical to become one, but also that it’s never too late to start. This is the heart of the advice and inspiration he offers in his most recent book, Read for Your Life (HCI Books – $14.95 – June 2007) by Pat Williams with Peggy Matthews Rose. Motivated by the comments and questions of so many who’ve heard Williams speak passionately on the topic of reading, the authors spent more than two years researching and writing a manuscript that looks at books from every conceivable angle. Do we all need to read? Williams and Matthews Rose believe the answer is a resounding yes—and their book offers ample evidence to back up their claim. Williams, whose personal fascination with reading began in the book-forested home of his youth, discovered their magical influence thanks to a copy of Pop Warner’s Book for Boys, given to him by his dad, Jim Williams.

Though just a lad of seven at the time he first read this book, Williams is convinced it changed the course of his life. “Its lessons for young athletes became foundational for me and continue to influence me—my concepts and beliefs regarding teamwork, sportsmanship, winning, leadership, and more—to this very day,” Williams said. What answers are you looking for? Williams encourages you to look for them in books, and to make sure you give time and space to reading every day of your life. Read for Your Life delivers some startling statistics on the future books face unless we dig in now and give them the place of honor they deserve in our lives. Be a part of the solution, the authors encourage. Imagine getting to know famous historical figures or even contemporary world influencers—people either long gone from the world stage or too high up to reach. You can do it, in the pages of a book. You can learn a trade, find advice for dealing with almost anything from your teenagers to your career to your car, or even take a trip to Never Land—all in the pages of a book. Read one today!

I know he'd like one book I am reading now, Paul Stoltz's Adversity Advantage whose co-author, Eric Weihenmayer, has climbed the seven tallest peaks on the 7 continents placing this blind achiever in a unique part of the climbing fraternity. He mightn't like as much my reading The Passion of Artemisia, a fictionalized portrait of a 17th-century Italian artist.

IMAGINE That!