How many books do you read in a year?

Did you know that your answer could impact your creativity, your paycheck, and your health?

The Stats are Astounding

• 49% of adults don’t read a book after graduating
• Many adults spend 3 or 4 hours a day watching TV and only 20 minutes reading
• Employers rank reading and writing as top deficiencies in new hires

This is your brain calling! I’m shrinking and loosing power by the minute. Soon I won’t be able to remember where I put the remote!

• Proficient readers are 2.5 times as likely to earn $850 or more a week
• Proficient readers are 3 times as likely to earn $1950 or more a week

Those who read an hour every single day are more likely to:

• Visit art museums, plays, musicals, and concerts
• Create photographs, paintings, or writings
• Attend sporting events
• Play sports and exercise
• Do outdoor activities

So if you want to earn more, be healthier, and be more creative: READ (MORE)!

FREE Resources – No Excuses

Never before has reading been more accessible. If you have a smart phone, a computer, e-reader, a car, or even two working legs (to walk to the library) – you can access books for FREE!!!!!!

• Public Library – has so much to offer. Where else can you take something home, use it for several weeks and then bring it back – all for free!
• Dailylit.com – for those addicted to email and who can’t seem to find the time to get a book and read, you can get a book sent to you by email in snippets. Before you know it you’ve read a book, experienced poetry, and expanded your mind!
• Digital Inspiration – a tech blog that lives up to it’s name – and this post will show you how to find ebooks everywhere for free!

Challenge:

Don’t get me wrong. I love a good movie; am a Doctor Who fan, and watch Bloomberg West regularly.  I read blogs and discover rare creativity everywhere on the web. But I also know I can do better. I know that I can trade an hour of TV for an hour of reading every day and I will be happier and more successful as a result.

Won’t you join me in this challenge? Here are a few suggestions, select one and make a commitment for the next month:

• If you don’t read any books – read one book of any type this month
• If you read only for work – read one book for pleasure this month
• If you read often (12 books or more a year) – share your favorite with a friend that doesn’t read often
• If you don’t read daily – read for one hour each day
• If you don’t like to read books – join dailylit.com and get an email every day – and read a book by email!

The more we all read, the more productive, creative, and successful we all are and the better the economy and our communities!

Update

Since the initial posting, I have discovered that the Library of Congress is beginning a multi-year celebration of The books That Shaped America. What a great source to start your challenge of reading more – and more often. Enjoy!

Another Update

I continue to discover reading lists – just in case you don’t know where to start. Here’s a list from PBS and The Great American Read Conducted in 2018.

There’s also a new 2017 report from the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts available here.

Why not lose yourself in a good book this evening?