General Discussions

**Learning Newbie** · 09-17-2007, 04:46 PM

I heard something on NPR (did I tell you guys I'm a liberal?

) that made me want to pull the car over and puke. Only 1 in 4 Americans read a book last year. So I want to have a conversation with my Webmaster-Talk friends about the subject. I'm curious how often you read. I want to know what you think of the statistic? And then if you can all share your thoughts on some other questions, just stuff that I think about sometimes

Is listening to a "book on tape" (or CD or mp3 format) the same as reading one?
If you read a lot online, really follow what's going on, check out different news sources that aren't available in your town, people's blogs, forums, and keep up on both the news and the conversation the people are having, is that the same or like reading a book?
My cousin is a youngster - he used to read The Hardy Boys when he was a teen. And we'd encourage him, tell him what a great habit it is to have a book in your face. But all books aren't created equal, ya dig?
Do you read for pleasure, to stay up on your industry, to learn in general, or for another reason?
Do you think the reading you do pays dividends? Does it make you smarter? Does it make you a better writer? Does it help you take ideas you already have and explain them gooder sew peeps unnerstand good?

Anything else to add? I wish I could say it was a study of blind people who haven't learned Braille yet, but maybe we'll find out people with web sites are more literate than the general population.

**CSS4Life** · 09-17-2007, 05:37 PM

Well I haven't finished reading a book for a while - I'm currently reading CSS Mastery, although not understanding much of it (it's quite tedious and fairly boring). I'd have to say several months probably - I finished reading HTML Mastery then

**ADAM Web Design** · 09-17-2007, 05:39 PM

1) If the information is absorbed the same way, I'd say so.

2) Yes. If not, I'm screwed.

3) I dig. Some books really suck. Like anything written by Oscar Wilde...apparently we're not supposed to take him literally.

4) To stay up on my industry, to learn in general, and to find stuff to goof on.

5) Not as much as it used to. I have a difficult time trusting most written sources, so it becomes a real problem for me in that regard.

I don't really have much else to add, other than to say I'd be a member of the 3 in 4 Americans who doesn't read books. I used to when I was younger, but they were more of an escape from a life that I no longer live.

**Giselle** · 09-19-2007, 01:54 AM

I read both fiction and nonfiction books, do read some news online when the newspeople don't give enough details. The only thing I can say for myself, I have educated myself through reading, whether it's been with books or online. I read for pleasure and to learn.

**vangogh** · 09-19-2007, 02:29 AM

John I've been seeing statistics like that for as long as I can remember. I'm not sure if it's troubling or if I just feel like a lot of Americans are missing some great things.

I've been reading since before I went to school and other than a few brief times in my life have been reading ever since. I guess I read more books last week than 3 in 4 Americans read all of last year.

I'll often have several books going at the same time too.

As for your questions:

A book on tape is not at all like reading a book. I'd see a book on tape as closer to watching a movie or at least listening to a radio program. It can still have value, but it's not even close to being the same.

I'd say the reading online is similar, but even then I wouldn't say it's the same. You don't read quite the same way online as you do offline. I don't think I've ever gotten lost in a web page, but I have gotten lost in a book. But if we're talking about the benefits of reading in general and gaining knowledge, etc I think they're pretty much the same, assuming the quality of the writing is the same.

All books are not created equal. When I was younger I read mostly science fiction and fantasy and whatever was assigned reading in school, which I usually enjoyed as well. As I got a little older I started mixing in some classics on my own and more non fiction. There came a time when I read a lot of popular fiction, best seller stuff. It dawned on me though, that I would never have time to read every book I would want to read. I decided if that was the case I was only going to read quality. The genre stuff went out the window and literary works came in.

Now if I'm reading it's likely literature, technical, or marketing.

I read for all the reasons you gave. Of course to me reading a tech book about my industry is entertaining, but I also read literature when I can.

Reading pays huge dividends. I think reading the works of the masters lets you pick up on their rhythms and voice and much of that filters down into your own writing. Nothing will improve your writing as much as writing, but reading quality works comes in a close second.

I think reading the ideas of others allows me to filter those ideas through my own experience and allows me to form new ideas. Like a link in a chain. I think the more varied your reading the more you can see connections between seemingly unconnected things.

I'm not sure if it makes you smarter, because I don't know how you really define smarter. You should know more from reading more, but that doesn't necessarily make you smarter.

By the way my clock radio is set to NPR.

**KML9870** · 05:48 AM

What Steve said, mostly.

I read constantly and was reading before I went to school. I am usually reading 2-3 books at a time. My hubby tells me all the time that I have too many books. My answer is, "No, I just don't have enough book shelves because you can't ever have too many books." I read very quickly, usually finishing off a 400 page book in 3-4 days (depending on how interested I am. I finished the last Harry Potter book in 3 days and it is about 780 pages). I will read pretty much anything I get my hands on. If I'm standing in line at a store I will read the headlines on the magazines around me, ingredients on packs of gum....basically anything that catches my eye. I despise being bored and reading is always more interesting than not reading.

My son was reading before he went to school and at 17 years old reads almost as quickly and as much as I do. My daughter had more of a difficult time learning to read and doesn't like reading much. We try to encourage her without singling her out (my husband reads quite a bit too, but mostly magazines and newspapers). At least once a month I take the kids to one of the book stores and let them pick a book. On the weeks we don't buy new books, we have a "paperback trading post" close to our house where you can trade your read books for ones you have yet to read.

I do not think audio books are the same as reading. My brother is big on audio books and has tried to get me into it. I think audio books are a cop out. Reading doesn't take much effort for me, but audio books take even less. For someone with learning disabilities (doesn't include my brother) audio books may count. I think it depends on the severity of the learning disability.

I do a lot of reading on line, but related that to reading a magazine, not a book. You usually get small bits at a time, not hundreds of pages relating to the same topic.

I read for ever reason imaginable

. I read for entertainment. I have read all of Stephen King's work and Anne Rice as well as many, many other authors. I read to learn more about industries I am involved in as well as industries family members and friends are involved in and my hobbies. I read classic literature and a number of magazines. I currently have 6 magazine subscriptions and my hubby has 4.

Reading definitely pays huge dividends. It increases your vocabulary, hones your spelling, helps you understand new ideas and theories, etc and expands your horizons.

**Giselle** · 09-19-2007, 11:55 AM

I have an added comment, Vangogh made mention he doesn't get lost in webpages, but I am one that does get involved and engrossed in webpages.

A few years ago I found a online site that was doing research on fresh water Stingrays in the St. John's River, Florida. I was so engrossed and was so impressed with the site, beautiful photgraphs, well written information where a child could also read and understand the information, the scientists all introduced themselves along with their background in Marine Biology. I decided to send an email complimenting them on their website, never expecting a reply back from my email, much less from the head scientist. He went on to thank me for all the compliments and appreciated that someone was reading the material. At the end of his email, he asked me to be sure and check back on the site in 30 days because they were going to be updating with more information on their findings. It just doesn't get any better then this with current information.

I was talking to our local Librarian, she made mention their reference books are so old and outdated, that they always refer the children to online reference with more current and updated information.

All I can say the children and adults as well are very forunate to have the best of both worlds.....

**Learning Newbie** · 09-19-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KML9870

I do not think audio books are the same as reading. My brother is big on audio books and has tried to get me into it. I think audio books are a cop out. Reading doesn't take much effort for me, but audio books take even less. For someone with learning disabilities (doesn't include my brother) audio books may count. I think it depends on the severity of the learning disability.

I have to agree with both of you on this one. Just to muddy the waters tho have you ever lost yourself in an audio book? Do you think there's a difference when the author is the one reading it? I listened to Al Franken's latest book on CD (10 of them) and was totally engrossed. Would close all the drapes, cut the sound, and listen intently for an hour at a time. I think I got most of the experience, and something that doesn't normally come from the printed page by hearing the way Franken said things, where he places the emphasis, paused, things like that, but even as a good example I don't think I paid attention in the same way.

**SeanB** · 09-19-2007, 02:41 PM

I read for pleasure, mostly fiction. I'm pretty much always in the middle of a book. As soon as I finish one, I start another.

I've not done the books on tape (iPod), but it would be a great way to pass the time on my commute to work.

**vangogh** · 09-19-2007, 07:21 PM

Giselle I guess I can get lose in a web page or rather a website. I've certainly spent hours reading a site's content long after I should have gone to sleep. It's different though. With a book I'll sometimes feel as though I'm part of the world being described in the book. I don't get that online. It could just be the types of things I read online and offline or the author's writing the material so it may not be fair of me to assume I can't get lost in a website.

**joder** · 09-19-2007, 11:25 PM

I think the last time I completed a book was late last year or early this one. It was an ebook. Not too much time lately to read one from cover to cover. It's easier to get information from various sources when working with technology.

But I do love reading a good novel.

**Aadriyah** · 09-20-2007, 12:15 AM

I am without a book since a year now, getting tired reading them now that I'm working

**Giselle** · 09-20-2007, 12:34 AM

Yes it is a different type of involvement, Vangogh, but I am speaking for myself now. While reading content on webpages, I am involved, I am engrossed, but totally different feelings while reading a book, which could be fiction or nonfiction.

I stopped reading books for many years due to being on online, I was so busy learning coding, graphics, ect. that I didn't have time anymore for reading, plus I could look up things I was interested in online. A couple of years ago a friend of mine sent me a copy of her book The DaVinci Code. I made mention to her I didn't know when I would find time to read the book, but she said don't worry about it. One day I picked up the book and started reading, I read the book in a day, I couldn't seem to put the book down. I enjoyed the story, but I also learned what a joy it was for me to read a book again and what I had been missing.

**vangogh** · 09-20-2007, 01:25 AM

Giselle I think we're agreeing here. I actually spend more time now reading online than I do offline. I read about 50+ blogs daily at the moment and that doesn't leave as much time for reading offline as I'd like. I still find ways to get books in though and a few magazines too. I stopped reading news offline a few years ago.

I think there will come a time when we can get lost in a website in a way that's more similar to a book. The medium is different so it will always be a little different, but I think it can mostly be done.

I think the issue is more that people are writing more non fiction online than fiction. But I have no doubt someone either has or will start putting sites together that are the kind where you really lose yourself and you spend 8 or 9 hours reading from the site without realizing how long you've been there.

**jhenna** · 09-20-2007, 05:35 AM

I am reading English pocketbook and until now I still reading that book..

**Chronicle** · 09-20-2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Learning Newbie

Is listening to a "book on tape" (or CD or mp3 format) the same as reading one?
If you read a lot online, really follow what's going on, check out different news sources that aren't available in your town, people's blogs, forums, and keep up on both the news and the conversation the people are having, is that the same or like reading a book?
My cousin is a youngster - he used to read The Hardy Boys when he was a teen. And we'd encourage him, tell him what a great habit it is to have a book in your face. But all books aren't created equal, ya dig?
Do you read for pleasure, to stay up on your industry, to learn in general, or for another reason?
Do you think the reading you do pays dividends? Does it make you smarter? Does it make you a better writer? Does it help you take ideas you already have and explain them gooder sew peeps unnerstand good?

I haven't tried listening to a book on tape...is it fun? I just don't think I'll be able to grasp it the same way when I read it on my own...

I read a book for pleasure...I finished reading my last book last month and it was deathly hallows...when I want to learn new things or I needed info about something I usually search it online....

In my experience, reading helped me a lot in understanding things that are unknown to me or I have little understanding about...

**ashish** · 09-22-2007, 05:24 AM

borrowed a few book from my mate... read jack higgins...

**mhaye_01** · 09-22-2007, 02:22 PM

Last year... A Child Called It,, I forgot the name of the author but this was really a great book.

Its a bit busy now so I don't have time to read books again.

**swiftmed** · 09-23-2007, 06:04 PM

lol im terrible. i dont read books, as in stories ever! only things i read are magazines and whats on my computer screen

bad really!

**skyblue** · 09-26-2007, 08:51 PM

I read "Lynch on Lynch" by Chris Rodley at this moment. And before that, Da Vinci Code of course