If you didn't read a book last year, don't raise your hand….

Instead, reach for a book.

Really doesn't matter which book. Any book. Wake up your mind. Wake up your heart.

The Atlantic.com reports that almost half of adults didn't read a book last year, outside of work/school requirements.

In fact, only about 20% of adults do almost 80% of the reading for personal reasons. Translation: most of the folks who said they read a book only read one book....

Regardless of format—"real" book, e-book, audio book—reading is a uniquely human experience.

It makes your brain more alive.

And if you're reading to a child, you can double your pleasure.

Read a book, get nuts about it, tell your friends about it.

Anna Quindlen on books....

a word from Franz Kafka




...and here's an addendum from my trusted personal advisor:

Schedule Your Child for a Play Date at the Library!

It's inexpensive, you probably don't have too far to drive, and you can introduce your child to the whole world. You can even give your child a sense of identity and self-worth by giving him/her a library card.

Make it a weekly event...go hog wild, read Curious George, don't just watch the movie, read Tarzan of the Apes (and when you are at home practice your Tarzan yell), read the Bobbsey Twins, read about Benjamin Franklin, read about Thomas Edison, read about a home-town notable.

When your child is done reading, have him/her write a book report. Pen on paper or fingers on keyboard, a real book report, complete the sentences that are generally grammatically correct. Writing is a much-needed skill that is getting lost in our high-tech, texting world.

When the book report is done, gather the family together after dinner, and have your kid read the report aloud. That's another skill that your child may need someday.

READ, WRITE, SPEAK.

Your child will thank you for it.