Do you have any suggestions on how to make people a better reader?

[Apokripos]

Because of the on-going intense debate of we as a nation are non-readers, I would like to hear your suggestions, comments, or advise on how can we contribute more on getting people to read much more substantial books thus making us a country of critical and analytical readers.

To begin with, let's start first with those persons near to us i.e. our loved ones by recommending them books that made a difference to us. Books are a very good points to start a conversation and who knows, what once we knew of minute gossips becomes a worthwhile conversation on timely topics we didn't realize then to discuss with others.

That's for one.

So, what's yours?

[Lynai]

Hmmmm...introduce friends to goodreads?

[Lucille]

Nice one lynai! :p
I have a couple of cousins whom I encouraged to read but no success. They find it really boring.
Even twilight by Stephenie Meyer, which is very amusing, my cousin found it boring. She'd rather watch it in the cinema. We all know that the books are way better than their counterpart in films. i tried telling them about stuff that I've read but it's no use. I'm in the dark in this aspect. So, please do give pieces of advice :)

[Lani]

I remember a few times when I used "underhanded" tactics of sorts. Whenever some friends and I talk about something, and I find it relevant to a book I read, I'd mention something about it, and then ask that person if s/he wants to borrow my book to check out what the context was.

[Nemie]

Creating a reading ambience at home or at work would probably do some trick. In our family, we usually do the reading before bedtime, investing for a night table and a lamp is a good idea. Then tour some libraries and see as many people who are reading. Seeing is believing. Reading while traveling is also nice~

[Maryse]

I agree with Nhemskie, having a great reading ambiance at home works. That's how I got into reading in the first place. I grew up without cable TV, an overactive imagination and too many books. Ehehehe
Also, recommending books among friends and family helps or better yet, giving books as Christmas presents. Then they won't worry about spending money for books. Ehehehe.

[Mary Anne]

I think the best way to introduce people to books is by referring them to books that they will find interesting. I mean, if you know that your friend loves stuff that deal with economic conflict, then you introduce them to Tale of Two Cities... Instead of telling them to read something like Pride and Prejudice or Secret Garden. It sounds funny, but I think it's true. Haha. Relevance is the key. :)

I grew to like books because I didn't watch much TV when I was younger (didn't have cable, local cartoons were limited), so I found an escape in the world of books and writing! So I guess that's another thing -- introducing books early so that kids will grow up to be readers. :)

[Apokripos]

Thanks guys.
Truly appreciate your fantastic suggestions.
Happy reading.. ^_^

[Kezia]

I think to really encourage reading we should start young - like in the womb. hehehe It's hard to cultivate a love of reading when people have grown attached to technology (television and computers) to help pass the time. These things very rarely encourage a person's creativity or make use of their imagination.

Even when it's a topic they're interested in, they no longer want to read about it if they can watch a show about it on tv or research on the internet.

I'm not saying ban television and computers because I was around television and computer games growing up but I still chose to read and read a lot. I don't think anyone ever really encouraged me either. I do remember being discouraged though. I distinctly remember a few books being thrown down the stairs becuase I "Read too much". hehehe

I believe readers have it better than non-readers. our worlds are so much more vast. Impossible is a harder concept to grasp for readers, I think.

One way to encourage reading though, make books cheaper. :)

[Mary Anne]

To Kayzee, you have a point about the prices too. Sometimes book prices are just not practical

[Maryse]

E-books are actually free if no one owns the copyright anymore (like the classics). But one has to have internet connection in order access it, which is not really available especially in the rural areas.
There are the net cafes and while I know of kids saving allowances to play internet games in net cafes, I've never heard of kids saving up to download free books. I guess no one really knows about it or it's not really their type of literature since most of them are classics (like Dickens, Dumas, etc) so e-books aren't really popular around here. Besides, who enjoys squinting at the monitor for hours to read a novel? I used my brother's PDA to read the books I downloaded but I've given it up and returned to paper.
So I guess it's not just a matter of making books cheaper. People have to be into reading in the first place.

[Carlos]

I think since kids are essentially copycats at a young age, if they see that the people around them enjoy reading, they would be more inclined to get into it too. I took on reading after getting impatient with waiting for my mother to finish her chores so she can continue reading to us about the latest escapades of Niknok and Dax on Funny comics.
Pictures really help also, since it is difficult for a three-year-old to understand concepts about spaceships and such.
Maryse, since you seem to like the classics, I'd like to hear about your thoughts on A tale of Two Cities.

[Islandhopper]

Form/Join a book club. Yes, this idea may work for those who are already book readers/lovers. But book clubs help them read better. They get to expand their literary comfort zones because they get to read books they wouldn't normally pick up. But this is also a good way to "convert" those who are not yet book lovers. Inviting them to a book reading meeting can be a way of letting them see how fun it is to discover the deeper meanings in between the lines of books we read.

[Kezia]

A book club is a good idea but I don't think there are a lot in the Philippines. Maybe some influential people can start one. Also, some readers (like me) don't like to dissect books the way they do in literature class because then it feels like schoolwork. :) Great suggestion though islandhopper. :)

[Islandhopper]

Kayzee wrote: "A book club is a good idea but I don't think there are a lot in the Philippines. Maybe some influential people can start one. Also, some readers (like me) don't like to dissect books the way they ..."

I don't know about influential, but our bookclub of people from shelfari has been meeting every month since may 2008. always fun! so many diverse opinions and takes on each work.

[Violeta]

just be an example your self. read and tell the world that you are reading.

[Ria]

I totally agree with violeta. Where I work, I have hours assigned at the counter. So when there are no 'clients', there's nothing to do! What I did when I first started coming out as a booklover at work, I brought literature along with me. It didn't matter if it was a thick hardbound, three books-in-one kind of a book or if it was a paperback. Basta kung ano yung binabasa ko sa bahay, dadalhin ko yun sa trabaho.

Ayun. Eh di nagsilabasan na din ang mga mahihilig magbasa ng libro! Mapa-komiks, mapa-tabloid, mapa-Bible, newsletter, kahit sudoku, or yung seryosohang pang-intellektwal na babasahin... lahat! Kahit ano basta unti-unting lumitaw ang totoong kulay. And what beautiful (true) colors I've seen.:)

I don't think though that we are a nation of non-readers. Children from the grassroots, if given the opportunity to learn how to read, would devour all sorts of literature they can keep their hands on. All we need is the motivation to teach kids (and the illiterate) how to read and we can gradually set in motion a reading nation. yeah, small step yun, I know. But that usually is all it takes: a small step. It would be a great idea to have all of us gather and plan on something like that. Or if that's not possible, just individually join an advocacy group like Sa Aklat Sisikat, Room to Read, or Masayang Magbasa.

Honestly, I'm pretty surprised at our group because we're actively paticipating in all sorts of discussions. It's a happy kind of surprise.=) I'm proud of US and the thoughts we share here.

[Violeta]

of course, of course. we are proud Filipinos. I agree that seriously, we need to increase the motivation of everyone to read.

[Lynai]

One time a friend (but not a close friend huh) asked me what i do during my free time, i answered, "I read." And the reaction from the friend was, like, "Oh. Yes. Read." As if I was the un-coolest person ever. I shrugged.

Later, I imagined the conversation to have continued with me saying, "What? Don't tell me you don't read?!" Then stare at the friend like she was the un-coolest person ever.

Ayun. Share ko lang.

[Violeta]

now here's Marco, the living counter. hehehe
Hey, reading evolved into different meaning even in our house where there are young college gals.
after they watched Kate Winslet's movie "The Reader", they would be laughing when asked 'what are you reading?'

[Lynai]

Hey Marco, don't tell me you're keeping count of everybody's comments here. You should give us prizes. Hahaha

[Rob]

Maryse wrote: "I agree with Nhemskie, having a great reading ambiance at home works. That's how I got into reading in the first place. I grew up without cable TV, an overactive imagination and too many books. Ehe..."

When I was younger, someone would always read to me. So, I guess I have been conditioned to believe that reading is very pleasant. Of course, being an insomniac helped my reading habits.

[Lynai]

Oh. So this is where Marco gets the numbers. :)

[Joyzi]

Uhm it's really hard kasi yung brother ko gusto ko din yung kahit papano maging booklover xa, actually tinry ko pahiramin yung Harry potter series ko kac he like the movie naman pero di xa talaga reader e. Tas inintroduce ko si Bob Ong yun nagustuhan nia, so minsan siguro dapat mag recommend muna ng mga books na yung maiikli lang lalo na pag di talaga sila Bookworm.

[Rhys]

according to Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory, modeling really is important task of the adults.. so if you like little children learn to love reading, be a good model... :)

[[deleted user]]

Charles wrote: "but if you're in an environment with creatures who reads a lot its not impossible that your a nerd..hehhhehe.. "

...hate this Charles...
I'm in a family of readers! ;p hehehe

[Rhys]

Beng wrote: "Charles wrote: "but if you're in an environment with creatures who reads a lot its not impossible that your a nerd..hehhhehe.. "

...hate this Charles...
I'm in a family of readers! ;p hehehe"

It's ok, Beng.. You're the coolest nerd, naman...

[[deleted user]]

Charles wrote: "i got now what it takes to be a cutie-nerd..hahah.. "

Thanks Charles; and yes, you are cute!

Rhys wrote: "It's ok, Beng.. You're the coolest nerd, naman..."

Thanks Rhys, that's another way of looking at it.

[Danielle Alonzo]

Nakakatuwa naman at ginagamit niyo ang psych concepts to explain how you became a better reader. Ung ginawa ko sa friend ko, I just had to find what she's interested in...and find a book with the topic.Before di siya reader,pero when I gave her a book about a topic she's interested in,she moved to read another book,and another,and another.:)

[[deleted user]]

Danielle wrote: "Nakakatuwa naman at ginagamit niyo ang psych concepts to explain how you became a better reader."

Uhmm, grabbing from both Charles and Danielle, it is a matter of encouragement really, though with different approaches. There was an instance, my professor assigned as to read war books merely to get ideas on human behavior/reaction in such circumstance. I never realized that I'd like the genre and will read more of them eventually.

[Apokripos]

Beng wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Nakakatuwa naman at ginagamit niyo ang psych concepts to explain how you became a better reader."

Uhmm, grabbing from both Charles and Danielle, it is a matter of encouragement re..."

Danielle, anong topic ba interested yung friend mo at nakumbinsi mo siyang magbasa?

[Rhys]

dahil ako'y dakilang umeepal sa mga usapan, susubukan kong ibahagi ang aking walng kabuluhang kwento ( yan sa mga taong 'di makakarelate )..ako'y magtatype sa tagalog dahil ako'y Pilipino.. :)

Noong ako'y bata pa, inosente pa kung sino sina sheldon, stephen king at garland, natutunan kong basahin ang mga fairy tales ( ano ba tagalog sa fairy tales?.Ako'y lubos na nagpapsalamat sa aking butihing ina na nagregalo ng isang kumpletong set ng mga kwento ni cinderella, sleeping beauty, the little red riding hood, puss n' boots at kung anu ano pa...ayy..si Ariel pa pala..The Little Mermaid.. Dahil kay Ariel, pinangarap kong maging isang bonggang bonggang na sirena..at ayon si batang Rhys, nagbubodbod at nagwiwisik ng sangkaterbang iodized salt sa aking maliliit na hita at binti...( kaya naman bwisit ang nanay ko dahil ubos lage ang asin sa kusina ).ok, balik tau sa fairy tales..

dahil sa fairy tales na nakapalibot sa bahay.. ayon lumaking mahilig magbasa si AKO..ang nakakalungkot lang 'di ko na alam kung saan na napadpad sina Ariel, Ella, Aurora, ung pusa at iba pa..pero pasalamat ko sa kanila at sa aking ina...

Bow.. ( actually mahaba pa dapat yan, kaya lang nag aantay na si Prof. Vargas na green minded sa DHS 203)

chao!

[Lionel]

To make people better readers?
1. Give them a dictionary - improve vocabulary.
2. Give them books on topics they enjoy - get them to hunger and thirst for it.
3. Give them open-ended guide questions on certain books - get them to think about what they're reading.
4. Give them time. To read and to grow.

[K.D.]

Hi Lionel, I fully agree on #2. Also, turn off the TV! or not to have a TV at all.

[Lionel]

Totoo yan ! Nung bagong kasal kami, wala kaming TV, andami namin nabasa na libro.
Kaya lang nangyari yung 9/11 -- napabili ng TV tuloy dahil di namin alam ang nangyayari.

[K.D.]

Nowadays, I only watch CNN and sometimes local news.

[mj_guinoo]

Hi to everyone!!! I'm new member of Goodreads and I've been visiting this website before I read a book, I look for book reviews and new and interesting to-read books. And for the topic; I do suggest books (E-books usually PDFs) to my friends in my facebook (I also have a link to my 4shared folder where every one can freely download).
And yeah... books are far more delightful than t.v. or chika-chika with nonsense things, or doing bad vices and stuffs that leads to other vices heheheheh.
A good reading really makes my day, usually on my free time and this moment I have loads of free time. so books, actually works as therapy for boredom and to keep me out from my own personal demons.
Reading alongside with listening to music both uplifts my spirit right of this moments.
So, thank God for the great and good author and my Incubus and Arctic Monkeys!!!!
Hey, i'm new here so you can add me as a friend coz I really don't know anyone here.

[Beng]

mj_guinoo wrote: "Hi to everyone!!! I'm new member of Goodreads and I've been visiting this website before I read a book, I look for book reviews and new and interesting to-read books. And for the topic; I do sugges..."

Hello mj_guinoo, welcome!

[Lionel]

Here are 12 tips for reading more on the Happiness Project blog.

[Apokripos]

Well then welcome to the group mj_guinoo!!

Just feel at home here!

[Rhys]

Lionel wrote: "Totoo yan ! Nung bagong kasal kami, wala kaming TV, andami namin nabasa na libro.
Kaya lang nangyari yung 9/11 -- napabili ng TV tuloy dahil di namin alam ang nangyayari. "

Hi kuya Lionel... * smile*

natuwa po ako sa comment mo..hehe

and I agree on # 2...it is why I have been buying books for my sister and brother that they would certainly enjoy and would mean help to them...

and bongga! the results have been rewarding...

Encouragement is but significant... Encouragement plus action, of course...

[K.D.]

Bluemoon wrote: "I personally think that everyone is a book lover, but they just dont know it yet. I think that everyone just needs to find the suitable genre for them and they will be hooked.

Take my cousin, for ..."

So what is she reading now?

[K.D.]

Not bad choices. Twilight saga, along with a couple of good authors, brought back my interest in reading a couple of years back.

[Sharon]

Do you know what I think is a good way to get people to read more?
listen to their talking, what talking comes out of their mouth? be a friend. help them.
what takes their breath away?

when you know the person, you can help them to escape into their magic world of imagination and discover there is a world in their own mind that comes alive with the written world, and it comes alive no where else but on the pages of books, where they and they alone have the ability to transport their heart towards a sweet place intense with happy things that only their own mind can picture.

No cinematographer, or movie maker can ever create the imagination as one's self creates the imagination -
reading a book, when there are words describing a room, books take each person to a slightly different looking room - not movies, in movies we all see the same thing.

where-as the story and plot are a message that the Author hopes the reader 'gets' - yet to any given individual person, there is only one person who will be impacted by reading a book the way you each are individually, because we all have our own unique minds and perspectives, and with the written words, we can go where God and our hearts take us to better ourselves in the way that we each individually need and want.

Does this make sense?
Fine reading is a treasure to enjoy personally -
Sharon
http://www.kingdom-of-god-in-earth.bl...

[Joselito Honestly]

By "reading" here, I mean reading for pleasure.

There is only one reason why people read: loneliness.

Happy people don't read. It is the lonely ones who read. So they can be happy. And when the brief happiness they get from reading passes away, then find other books and read again.

Reading, actually, is an intellectual masturbation. Pleasuring oneself by engaging in fantasy. And it is addictive.

So how can we make people read? Or read better? By making them lonelier. Make them unhappy. Well fed, comfortable, but unhappy. So the pleasure they cannot get from real life, or from interacting with real people, they will get from the make-believe world of books. You want to have romance? Go in to the future? Be a hero? Fight wars? They are all there, in books.

[K.D.]

Bluemoon wrote: "hmmm...

I don't think people who loves reading are lonely. More bored, than lonely. Books they read takes them on an adventure that their own life lacks."

Yes, bored and lonely are two different things. Bored is when there is nothing interesting to do. Lonely is when you sad because of some problems.

I think I read because I have nothing more interesting to do. Reading can both be entertaining and educational. Among other hobbies, it is also cheaper and least prone to accident. Just don't eat while reading and you will end up healthier both in mind and soul. After every chapter, do a little stretching and drink a glass of water and of course choose the right books!

[Joselito Honestly]

Boredom is just a species of loneliness. Boredom is ennui, a mental weariness. Not much different from sadness or loneliness. You cannot be bored and at the same time happy. And if you're happy, you can't be bored.

Make a child draw a bored person. Do you think he will draw a smiling face? No. A bored person has a sad face.

[Joselito Honestly]

Great writers are readers. Don't you ever wonder why so many great writers have killed themselves?

[Joselito Honestly]

Let us then ask a child. Jillian what do you say?

[Louize]

Joselito wrote: "Happy people don't read. It is the lonely ones who read. So they can be happy. And when ..."

I hope nobody minds if I reply...

It's a sad notion that a person reads either because he/she is lonely or bored. With me kasi that was never the case. My love for reading started as a child, thanks to my parents. So, I grew up with reading as part of me, my life. That's the way I encouraged my daughter into reading as well.

I don't see myself not reading in any state of feeling. Neither am I bored or lonely while I read. I read because I'm happy and I have the luxury to do so.