i on Romance: Getting Books Into Hands
There’s a pretty big news story that concerns young readers, and it’s about LeVar Burton using Kickstarter to resurrect his show, “Reading Rainbow”. I know it’s not in the Romance genre, but I’d like to talk about the general concept of getting people to read.
Besides “Reading Rainbow”, Comic Books are a great way to get kids (in particular) to read. I know that’s how my brother and husband – who both struggled in school – got into books at an impressionable age, and they both read today. That can’t be said about every adult however.
This has been something that’s troubled me over the last ten years or so. I’m amazed at how many people I interact with that say they “never read”, and they mean it.
If you’ve read my bio on this page, you’ll see that I’m an MMORPG gamer. In case you’re not sure what that stands for, it’s “Massively multiplayer online role-playing game” – the emphasis being on ‘multiplayer’. There are many people there that are smart, college-educated, well-balanced people – but when I tell them some of the things I do – including review for this site, a lot of them say they haven’t read a book in years. YEARS!!
At that point, I gently ask them what kind of stuff they watch on TV, and say they might like to read stuff like this or that… If they don’t want to follow-up, that’s their prerogative. At least I gave it a shot. And I know a lot of times they’re receptive because they ask me follow up questions. I never get made fun of, because the people I talk to are my friends.
I’m also part of a few street teams, and I find that very fun. I usually take the promo books I’m given to doctor’s offices – the staff really appreciate the gesture, and they’re into the romance genre. They also tend to pass the books around, so the author gets the all-important word-of-mouth.
So here’s my challenge: Do you have other ideas to get books into the hands of those that don’t read? Have you noticed the same ‘trend’ in people around you? (at work, outside hobbies, etc.) What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
bn100
Give them book recommendations based on what they like to watch
KarenL
I think that’s a GREAT way to get new readers. Especially with so many TV shows & Movies based on books.
Kristy dean
I have noticed this trend for years. As a kid I didn’t read much since I was dyslexic and color blind. People didn’t know how to work with me to comprehend. Also because the reading material was not the best. Most of the stuff we are required to read is boring and not stuff we would normally read, so we get turned off. I started reading again in high school when I learned how to pick stuff I liked and encouraged to do projects around it. Then in college I would only get to read college required stuff. (I graduated a 4 year university in 3 years). I I didn’t like most of the stuff I had to read. When I was working, my teaching staff would laugh since I always had a book in hand and was creating an environment that fully brought the kids in so they would want to read and ask questions and play/act out the characters. But not too many people would carry a book around with them. I have noticed a growth since the tablets came out. People are reading on them. But some people still look like they don’t love what they are reading. It takes time for everyone to find their nitch and be brave to try something new. No one is pulling their fingers and forcing them to read it or even finish it. I have lent books and bought books for people over the years (e-books or physical books). I love when an author has a free book so you can see if you like their writing or the story/series. Most people just need to stop and take a break in life. We live in a go-go society. Even when we get home it’s that way. So in our home we take time to read, visit, play games, and go for walks. Find me time to distress (reading is mine).
KarenL
Amen! I’m always in awe of anyone that overcomes anything like dyslexia or ADHD, like you – or my brother or husband. Things still have a long way to go on that front, but I’m glad it’s actually getting diagnosed correctly more often than not.
I was the opposite I guess. Never – and I mean NEVER – challenged by any English class I took while growing up. So bored I just gave up. At least I kept up the reading at home, and I stumbled across teachers that encouraged me (one of them was my basketball coach) to read more challenging material.
And yeah, I’m really glad we have ebooks today, or sadly I think only a very small minority would read. I’m glad you lend and encourage – that’s the kind of effort needed. So, thanks from me for doing what you do!
Taswmom
I’m only adding that what they read isn’t nearly as important as that they read when they’re young. When my oldest son was young, he didn’t want to read books, but he Loved reading sports stats, Guinness Book of World Records, and things like that. Also a few comics here and there. I remember talking to his teachers, and even the school psychologist, and they assured me that as long as he Was reading, it didn’t matter what. He was born in 1980, so played a little Atari, but mostly DOS based games where you had to read what it said, and type in what you wanted to do. By high school he was reading every how to book for his computer games, as well as every Star Wars based novel he could get his hands on. He went on to multi-thousand page books about history. One of the books he read about Alexander The Great, and the history of that time and area was so huge it was hard to lift! Now he is an amazing High School History teacher, as well as, remember all those sports stats he read? If anyone wants to know what Willie Mays’ best hit, or Lou Gherig’s greatest play, or what years……….they call him. If he answers, it faster than an internet search. He remembers most all of them.
My next two sons weren’t as lucky, and had ADHD, Dyslexia, and/or lazy eye problems that made reading difficult, even though they were intelligent. For them, MRPG games are what gave them a will to read. But at least they read!