I just saw a poll on CNN entitled “How many books do you read per week?”. Currently the results are:
1-2 books 38%
3-4 books 6%
5+ books 3%
0 books 53%
Now, I know the poll isn’t scientific, but as it stands, it’s telling me that over half the population does not read. For some reason, that disturbs me.
I know that there are lots of very intelligent people out there who aren’t into reading, or who only read newspapers/magazines, and who learn a lot more about the world watching the nightly news than the lady over there reading her bosom-baring Harlequin. But I also will admit to a real preference for people who read (it’s a real turn-on to me in the whole “prospective partner” thing).
Is it just me, or do any other people here make (very very very small) value judgements about readers versus nonreaders? I don’t look down on people who don’t read (and I’ve sure as hell dated a lot of people who never picked up a book during our relationship), but I personally feel that reading works the mind in ways that other forms of entertainment don’t, and I think reading should be encouraged, and it just disturbs me that such a large portion of the population doesn’t read.
I’m not talking about kids - just adults…not sure if that makes a difference but I am specifically thinking about my adult peers.
I really hope this doesn’t sound snobby - I just prefer interacting with people who enjoy reading and who can discuss books and authors with me. (And there’s just something sexy about that guy at Starbucks engrossed in the latest Clancy novel )