Seniors and Retired People Read More Than Youngsters Do

Posted by Maryan Pelland Jul 16, 2006

How much time do Americans spend reading?

In 2003, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US Department of Labor, reading was a primary leisure activity at most ages, but the amount of time devoted to it varied widely. The oldest age group, 65 and older, said they read for at least an hour a day on average. The youngest studied, 15 to mid-twenties, averaged about 8 minutes.

Men tote up about 19 minutes per day and women, a bit more - 24 minutes. Not impressive figures, by any means. Do you think if we all read more we'd be better off? I can tell you this - kids who read a little, or not at all, grow up with a huge disadvantage.

At my house, two of our six were good readers. They gobbled up books and magazines. By choice. Of the others, two were sporadic readers and still found they had an advantage in school and in life because they had been exposed to a lot more information than non-readers are. The two who didn't like reading struggled more in school and now wish they had liked books more.

We can set an example by letting the kids we influence see us enjoy reading, by talking about books we like or don't like and by sharing a good read out loud, or just pass a great book to someone. Let kids read to you - even older ones. It's a lovely way to pass an hour.

Take a look at eight of the most enjoyable books I've read this year. Most are available in large type if you prefer.

On Writing by Stephen King - a good explanation of how to get off the ground as a writer, but a wonderful portrait of King's own life. Quick read.

Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith - Good story with lots of sense of place (South Africa) and engaging characters. A slower paced, leisurely read.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel - Unique and absorbing adventure story. Very tough to figure out what' real and what's not. Fun to try. I knew this was a novel as I read it, but it's so believable, I had to keep reminding myself.

The Nine Modern Day Muses: 10 Guides to Creative Inspiration for Artists, Poets, Lovers, and Other Mortals Wanting to Live a Dazzling Existence by Jill Badonsky A workbook to help restore your faith in your own creativity. I don't care how old you are, what sex you are, or how talented you are or are not, this book is plain fun.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling Not as absorbing for me as the other four, but still worth the time. If you haven't been sucked into this series...try one.

Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman From the woman who wrote Practical Magic here's an intricate story of love, murder, hot Florida summertime, and a near-juvenile-delinquent. Hoffman is a lyrical writer with an incredible skill with words. Reading her books requires slow, deliberate enjoyment of the writing while you savor the story.

Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. - After seeing the movie In Search of Neverland I became interested in Barrie's work. I read a lot of it this year and found it pretty interesting in view of what I now know of his life. I chose the original Peter Pan, not the Disney version. Loved it.

Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay - Funny. Funny. Funny. A creative and satisfying satire of archeology and the pompous theories that can come of it. The Motel is a temple, the excavation is done by scientists in the far future who are studying our time. The theories are a riot.

See my review of a brand new suspenseful and thoughtful novel by Jodi Picoult - The Tenth Circle