Imagine:
you are coming back home after a hard day at work and you are dreaming about a
moment of relaxation so you can forget about the events of the passing day. What is your way to have a rest? For me the answer is very
easy – I reach for a book! In my opinion, reading is one of the most enjoyable
things, very relaxing. I cannot imagine my life without it. Or at least it
would be a terribly boring one!
I was
inspired to write this article by a very sad data published by the National
Library of Poland in 2013. According to the Library’s survey, in 2012 over 60%
of Poles did not read anything, not even a single book! Only 11% read 7 or more
books and those people are considered to be "real readers". But it’s
not the only reason to be scared reading this report. This data is also so
appalling because it reveals that since 2004 the group of “real readers” decreased:
diminution to the current level has been made between 2004 and 2008 and still a
size of this group cannot return to the level of 20%.
Respondents’ declarations on reading books during past 12 months
Year of study
|
Non-readers
|
Readers of
1-6 books
|
Readers of 7 and more books
|
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
|
44,4
41,8
50,3
62,2
56,0
60,8
|
32,1
32,9
31,7
24,8
31,1
26,5
|
22,2
24,4
17,2
10,6
11,6
11,1
|
Source: http://www.bn.org.pl/aktualnosci/501-czytelnictwo-polakow-w-2012-r.-%E2%80%93-wyniki-badan.html
In Poland
there are numerous initiatives which aim is to spread an interest in
literature, to popularize a habit of reading (the most important one: National Readership Development
Programme 2014-2020 introduced by the Ministry of Culture and National
Heritage). But despite noticeable
popularity of such actions as "Nie czytasz, nie idę
z tobą do łóżka" (almost 100 000 “like it” on
Facebook; official webpage: http://nieczytasz.wix.com/nieczytasz-1), which engaged many celebrities and representatives of culture and art to
cooperation (such as Kazimiera Szczuka, Robert Leszczyński, Rafał Bryndal,
Marcin Szczygielski or even Jeż Jerzy), or
"Ustąp miejsca czytającemu” (more than 25 000
“like it” on Facebook), the percentage
of a readership is still very low.
Taking
this data into consideration, it can be
concluded that in Poland reading is an activity popular only among a small group of people. It is not a part of
everyday functioning, it is not
perceived as a way to relax, as an intellectual fun,
which has an added value in broadening vocabulary or widening imagination, as
an activity which builds good habits (like empathy or understanding the
others).
In my
opinion so called derivative illiteracy is a tragedy for intellectual
functioning of Polish people, and therefore I would like to write why we should
read, hoping that it might convince
those who do not do it to reach for a book. I will put up the reasons presented
some time ago by the Swedish Academy for Children's Books,
which were created in support of reading the children's literature to the youngest.
Many of those arguments can be referred to reading in general. Here are the most important ones:
- “Books develop our thinking. They give us concepts to think with and new ideas. They widen our consciousness and our world”;
- “Books develop our capacity to empathise. They give us a chance to put ourselves in the position of others and understand their emotions”;
- “Books can entertain and excite us. They can make us laugh and cry. They can comfort us”;
- “Books can explain reality and help us understand how matters are connected”;
- “Books can show us that there's not always only one answer to a question, but that most things can be seen from different points of view”;
- “Books help us understand ourselves. It strengthens our self-confidence to realise that others think as we do and feel as we do”;
- “Books can awaken in us new and interesting issues which give us something to think about”;
- “Books give us knowledge about other countries and other ways of life, about nature, technology, history, and everything under the sun that we might want to know more about”;
- “Books make us reflect on what's right or wrong, good or bad”;
- “Books help us understand that all of us are different, too. Reading books written by authors from other times and other cultures increases tolerance and helps combat prejudice”.
Source: http://www.barnboksakademin.com/
All list available here
To
summarize: I do believe that reading should be considered as something more
than only a leisure activity. Reading is first and foremost a valuable lesson
of history, culture, customs, relationships, feelings. Without that lesson life seemed to be
limited. Therefore, since reading
is so beneficial, why so few people in
Poland spend their free time
doing it? Maybe books
are too expensive? Or reading is too exhausting? Or maybe it just does not bring any obvious profits,
so it is not appealing?
And, at
the end, a very inspiring example how books can change a life:
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ibCtsHgz3Y
Additional
question:
1) In
your opinion, why a level of readership is so small in Poland?
2) Do
you think that reading has a future?
3) What
is your favorite book?
4) Which
of the advantages of reading pointed out above convince you the most? Why?
Reading books - YES!
ReplyDeleteThe most important argument for reading is the sentence you quote:
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one."
I believe this is the essence of reading. I love this moment when I have a chance to be in places I probably will not visit in my life. I like to imagine the characters and for a short but pleasant moment to be a part of their lives wirth their feeleings, problems and joys I will never have in my own life. I will have different but books are parallel world for me.
The sad thing is that I don't have as much time for reading as I would like to have. I love this moment when I have a business trip to Asia - I go to the plane, I open my book.. they give me someting to eat, a glass of wine and I really don't need anything more. The most important in this situation is that my phone will not snatch me out of my world...
Agnieszka, my impressions about reading are similar to your. It's amazing that in such simple way we can get away from reality and, thanks to the imagination, for a moment we are able to be someone else, somewhere else. As for the lack of time for reading - unfortunately I have the same problem. And now, when I am writing my thesis, pile of books that I would like to read, constantly growing.
Delete
DeleteI agree with Aga - word without reading is sad!
I like reading books before going to sleep. We read together with my doughter every day and I want to teach here that this is really good way of spending time, and there is nothing better to relax
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DeleteAgata
DeleteVery nice argument you handed, in support of reading.
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one."
Of course also agree with you that "Reading books - YES!"
Michał, actually these words: "A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one" was said by the author of "Game of Thrones" - G.R.R Martin. :-P
DeleteBut this is a really great argument for reading books! And as for me, very convincing!
Michal, as Piotr said it wasn't me and this quotation was posted by Piotr so I wasn't very brilliant here ;) and to be precise - it's Agnieszka not Agata :) But I'm very happy you agree with me.
DeleteIza! Keep doing a good job! I know your daughter loves sport but if she will be also such a big fan of books then it will be perfect!:)
Agnieszka
DeleteSorry for the mistake in the name:)
Similar to Agnieszka, I have really the same. When I start reading a book I can forget about whole world (yes, reading while going to work is not a good idea... to wake up 5kms further). It started early in my case, I remember two books which caught me deeply was "Robinson Cruzoe" and "Potop" which may trigger a big smile on your face but yes... I liked it very much and Potop was finished in 3 days - even my mother could not force me to eat dinner - but it was long time ago. Nowdays I still read a lot (although not so often as I would like to) - and I try to keep myself away from books during a week because it often ends in going sleep after finishing the book, around 1-3 AM leaving only couple of hours (wakeup at 5AM!) before going to work... pleased but tired ;) Anyway most relaxing stuff in my life (yea, time to midlife crisis!)
DeleteI will not laugh, because I also really like "Potop" :-) Pleased but tired (or maybe "tired but pleased"?) - This is also my approach to reading books :-)
DeleteI agree that reading books has lost its meaning recently. People read less because they have other more available sources of entertainment and relaxation. I must admit that for me it's also more and more difficult to relax with a book. I have so much stuff on my mind that it's hard to focus on what I'm reading.
ReplyDeleteWhat is most sad, I think, is the fact that young people constitute a really tiny group of readers. I have noticed that most teenagers do only the school reading (if at all) and do not reach for other books.
Personally, I love the books by Dan Brown. They are quite popular, also thanks to their screen versions, but I find them very entertaining.
Krzysiek, the report of the National Library of Poland confirms what you wrote. Teenagers not only read less than adults, but they also read less often. In my opinion this poor result is a fault of a national education system. School does not encourage teenagers to read. The books which are mandatory to be read are written in archaic language and they concern things/ problems that are distant and strange for youth. The canon of Polish literature is important, it should be known ("Potop" is still one of the most important books for me), but I think that we need a particular level of maturity to be able to read it and understand. And to awaken a love for reading books in young people we should offer them something that fits their age, something with what they will be able to identify.
DeleteAnd if I may ask: which of Dan Brown's books is your favourite one?
I like the book "Angels and Demons". I've read it several times, trying to get some additional information about the places crucial for the plot, which was quite entertaining for me. I have visited Rome just after reading the book and I must admit it was quite fun trying to trace the paths described by the author!
DeleteWow! It had to be a really exciting trip! Maybe you discovered some mystery connected with the Vatican or Illuminati? :-)
DeleteI still do not know how to describe my attitude to the Dan Brown’s writing. On the one hand, I think that he is one of the most imaginative authors of our times. From the other hand…sometimes his style of writing is too childish for me and I can not stand that he copies his own ideas. "The Da Vinci Code" - I loved it, I read this book in one day. Then in Poland were published "Angels and Demons" and "The Lost Symbol" and I was not able to read them. I did not like any of them. But at the end of last year I got "Inferno" and I was very pleasantly surprised. For me it was one of the best books I have had the pleasure to read.
I recommend to all of Stephen King's books such as "Miasteczko Salem"
DeleteI also would like to convince all of you to read "Salem's Lot". It is avcompelling and really frightening book. I also recommend Stephen King's short story collection "Just After Sunset" ("Po zachodzie słońca"), which includes a fantastic novel called "N." and an amusing and a bit surprising novel "The cat from hell" ("Kot z piekła rodem").
DeleteI knew that level of readership is reducing, but I didn’t expect that so much. The results that you presented really surprised me. Nearly 61% of Poles do not read even one book a year? It's hard for me to believe. This is very worrying. What is the reason? Lack of time? Other activities - TV, radio, cinema, internet?
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning I thought it was a matter of increasing popularity of e-books. With hope I looked into the data source. Unfortunately “only 2% of non-readers in 2012, ever read an e-book”. Another thought - audiobooks - another disappointment – “to listen to an audiobook in the life ever admitted 6% of the respondents”.
I personally really like to read books. Recently these are mainly technical books, or associated with widely understood development. Other genres I read less frequently - weekends, holidays. In any case, there isn’t need to convince me to read. Each of the advantages of reading is important for our development. It's hard to choose one. Hence, I believe that reading books has a future.
Mariusz, I also wonder about the reason. Lack of time may be the explanation, but I think that in many cases it is an explanation unreliable. In my opinion the TV is the main enemy of books. Watching TV is easy, you just have to watch, you do not need to activate your imagination or your intellectual resources. And people are lazy by nature.
DeleteAre you a fan of the audiobooks? How often do you listen to them? Do you think that listening to an audiobook is comparable to reading a book? I somehow can not convince myself to the audiobooks, although many fantastic books have been published in that form and many of them are read by the fantastic voices (for example: Marek Konrad, Maja Ostaszewska, Krzysztof Kowaleski).
Honestly I don’t listen the audiobooks. However, I maintain, that there are a great alternative in the crowded public transport or during activity such as running or cycling. Do I think that listening to an audiobook is comparable to reading a book? Of course not. At least not for me. I like to feel that I have a book in hands - hence, e-books not convincing to me too.
DeleteRecently I've found an interesting article on how our mind perceives information from an audiobook:
Deletehttp://www.fastcodesign.com/3026224/evidence/your-brain-on-audio-books-distracted-forgetful-and-bored
It confirms that it is quite hard to focus on listening to a book and that we often mis much information.
I have also found some time ago statistics how "Poland" reads - I was astonished to learn about numbers however it was not a very big suprise - I come from small town and I know how people treat books - and what you may find a stereotype but in my case (60k~ habitants) it was sadly true - that this reluctance come from "a must" of school's lectures. However I personally know some people who are actually quite smart but are not reading a books at all - but again, I sense sometimes they could be even more witty if they read books...
DeleteI would agree with previous comments. Indeed people are reading far less than they used to. And it's due to other available substitutes (TV, movies, games...etc.) and also to laziness. Reading is work, but also reading implies analyzing and that is even more work. So tiring :)
ReplyDeleteMoreover, I believe that nowadays people are reading a lot more ... but not books. They read facebook feeds, news sites, articles and blogs, wikipedia and so on. And when they considering taking a book to read - they might think: "I've already read that much this day, I'll better watch TV instead".
Also the style of reading is different: when you read an article, you almost scan it with your eyes to get to the most relevant information. You are not searching style or great vocabulary within articles - you just need an information.
While reading books is different reading, it's slow paced reading, it's enjoyment. And maybe, just maybe, because we are reading so much nowadays for information we are loosing that skill of reading for pleasure.
As for myself, I try to read at least 10 books a year. Audiobooks are good alternative for me to read when I can't hold actual book (public transport, bike riding, cleaning apartment...).
Daniel, I have to disagree with your statement that “nowadays people are reading a lot more ... but not books”. For me nowadays people do not read, but just obtain information. I do not know whether I will express myself clearly, but my point is that information which can be found in the internet in most cases do not force us to put questions, to make a reflection, only give us ready responses. Books mobilize us to seek the answers, to make the deeper analysis, to try to understand what is the meaning of what the author wrote. For me this is reading :-)
Deleteyes, if you describe reading like this - then I would totally agree. My point was that people nowadays go through a lot of information and skill of reading changes to skill of "scanning for information"
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DeleteIndeed they are reading more than 10 years before - but I would not call this obtaining information - thus it is often one source which filtered messages which often may not be true... or presented from given point of view. Furthermore those information very rarely trigger us to think.
DeleteWhat books release is an abstract thinking and having your own opinion together with corelating facts and skill to look at them from various degrees.
Hi Piotr,
ReplyDeleteI like reading books a lot. I'm one of the real readers. I don't count books that I read in a year. Maybe it will be enough to say that till today I had read 16+...
Reading is a very enjoyable way of spending time. When I was a teen I did not like reading. It was too boring for me. Till a day when librarian show me books of Alexandre Dumas. From that day even in some periods of my life when I had not time to sleep - I had a time to read a book. I often read while taking Metro. I also read Metro 2033 story in Metro :)
Reading do not have any future if we do not convince teens to read not only crammers and news in the NET, but also a good book with nice plot and some action :) I hope I will manage to do it when I will have my descendant.
I do not have a favorite book.
All advantages are good for me.
Sławomir, congratulations! Certainly you are "real reader". Words of appreciation (especially when considering the data from the National Library of Poland report) !
DeleteAnd do you have an idea how we can convince teenagers to read? Is someone to blame for such a low level of readership in Poland - especially among young people? School? Parents?
And by the way - Metro 2033 is a very cool book!
I recommend "Metro 2033" as well, especially if you like reading about catastrophic visions (like me). :-)
DeleteFrom my POV I can tell that teachers and parents are to be blamed for so low rate of reading books among teens. I think that some encouragements from teachers and some from parents would improve this a lot. If you forbid to watch TV or play computer magic can happen :)
DeleteIt sounds a little bit like forcing to read! :-) But sometimes there is no other option. And as to your fear about your descendants: you do not have to worry! The report says that when parents read their children read also :-)
DeleteIn my opinion the problem is that children at school are forced to read books that are not interesting for them, are hard to read or simply boring. When I was supposed to read a book to be prepared for Polish classes I was doing everything not to read that book. It doesn't mean I was not reading books in high school it was around 30 books per year
DeleteIza, I totally agree with you. I repeat what I have already written: School does not encourage teenagers to read. The books which are mandatory to be read are written in archaic language and they concern things/ problems that are distant and strange for youth. And to awaken a love for reading books in young people we should offer them something that fits their age, something with what they will be able to identify.
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ReplyDeleteSome time ago I’ve heard a broadcast on the radio about exactly the same topic... It came to my mind because on the radio they have also give an example of Sweden. It’s a country where people read a lot – according to the speakers... Or maybe the lady interviewed was from Sweden, can’t remember right now, but in any case they had said in Sweden people read much more often then in Poland. They have also concluded that the learning program is much different then in our country. In Sweden at school children pick books by them own... WOW! That’s a revolution... Let our children read whatever they want, without making them to read all the boring but required readings.. That must end with children liking reading... That would be a disaster! It’s a know fact that it’s easier to rule stupid society. I must agree... When the set of the required readings was last changed? Most of the people don’t enjoy reading because they were forced to read required lectures and they simply consider it boring.
ReplyDeleteIt had to be Sweden. In all the articles concerning a level of readership in Europe, the Swedes occupy the first place - in this country over 70% of citizens reaches for the books regularly. The impressive result and example which should be imitate!
DeleteThe idea that the child chose the book by itself is really great! And brings good results: Swedes read. In Poland, like you mentioned, children/young people are forced to books. And it is not surprising that they have to be forced, because the titles which are mandatory in schools are not attractive in any way. I wonder why no one wants to change that. Are the results of the report published by the National Library of Poland are not sufficiently alarming to try to improve something?
Firstable I wanto to write, that this statistics are "flat", because we don't what types of book are red by participants. Books differs each other. Cooking book and William Shakespeare drama it is not the same! It counts not only number of red books but also their contents. But generally, yes, reading develops human in many aspects.
ReplyDeleteAnswering some questions:
1. Reading level is low in Poland because of existing many forms of entertainment that require a smaller commitment then reading. If you are watching TV you just look on the screen and understand everythink clearly and "just like that". If you are reading a book you have to carry it, run your imagination, and so on. It develops you but requires effort.
3. Favorite book? It is hard to say, which of them is my favorite. I have to say, that In recent times over again, I discovered the Bible. It helps to find myself and understand my life. And the book that gave me fun? It was serie about Winnetou and Old Shaterhand by Karol May and serie about Tomek Wilmowski by Alfred Szklarski. The book that suprised me was: "Outline of the history tractor in Ukrainian laguage" ("Zarys dziejów traktora po ukraińsku") by Marina Lewycka. Very strange title, but it is lightweight, interestingly written, showing the world from the perspective of a grotesque.
Kamil, the basic question in the questionnaire was: "During the past 12 months have you read (in full or in part) or reviewing any book?". Respondents were asked about every book which was read by them during free time – prose of fiction (including the books on the internet) as well as non-fiction (including inter alia: albums, dictionaries, guidebooks). I totally agree with you: I will never say that reading books can be compared with reading dictionaries. For me, in this regard, the results obtained by the Library does not fully reflect the real level of readership in Poland. On the other hand, I believe that if we removed from the questionnaire items such as dictionaries or albums, the test result would be even sadder than it is now.
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ReplyDeleteI like reading books but unfortunately due to the small amount of free time I do not belong to "real readers".
ReplyDeleteBut I try to read a large number of articles in the newspapers.
Due to the current responsibilities (work, home, school) I have really little free time.
On the other hand if I have a large amount of free time I will love to spend it with my friends on trips or fishing.
In my opinion, the level of reading in Poland is so low because people choose an easier way to relax as watching television, surfing the Internet and listening to radio.
My favorite book is "The Lord of the Rings" by Tolkien.
Currently, the advantage which convinces me the most is: "Books give us knowledge about other countries and other ways of life, about nature, technology, history, and everything under the sun that we might want to know more about"
Because thanks to that we can understand that reading broadens our horizons.
As for the "The Lord of the Rings" – I prefer much more a film adaptation than the book :-) I think that the director has managed to illustrate perfectly an amazing character of the novel!
DeleteLack of time forces us to choose between different types of activities. Of course, I believe that meetings with friends or hobbies are as valuable as reading. But I wonder why reading books is chosen less frequently than other pleasures? Is it less beneficial or pleasant ?
for me, the time spent with the book is a long moment of rest. The only drawback is that I can never break away from them. As I begin to read a book usually not lifting my eyes from paper to the moment until i read the last page. Generally, I leave reading for vhollidays when I have more time and I do not need to learn.
ReplyDeleteThe most of people dont like books i know. but they have easier entertainment, they can wath TV show play game. yes this is easy. and people usually do not like difficult things.
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DeleteAgatha, I understand you perfectly. When I start a new book, I do not want to stop reading it. I am very sad and dissatisfied when I have to defer the book for some time, because I have to take care of other things.
Delete2) Do you think that reading has a future?
ReplyDeleteI am sure that without reading there is no future - if we had not any books or ways to read the heritage, we would have to discover the wheel over and over again.
3) What is your favorite book?
I have a lot. Some of them are great just because they caught me in, some of them due to witty plot and characters, some of them... just because of falling in love :) it is often connected with memories you can bring back during the times you wre reading them.
You're right! It is undisputed value of the books! They are the best source of knowledge and help us to develop. Thanks to them we do not commit the same mistakes over and over again. And they give us many important hints about all life’s aspects!
Delete1) In your opinion, why a level of readership is so small in Poland?
ReplyDeleteIn my oppinion a level of readership is small not only in Poland, theese days people don't have so much time to read, we are living in a rush, waking up in the morniong, getting ready to school/ job, busy time until dinner , some homejob and so one. If we have kids this free time is getting smaller as well. Important point about it is that social media or generally computers/ mobile phones are taking a lot of our time.
If readung has a future? Absolutelly yes! We need to encourage especially kids to read more, because as far as i know, they don't do it at all... Their adventure with books finishes with learning how to read and get through school books, what is really sad.
My faviourite book is "The Last Don" by Mario Puzo.
Advantages of reading books for me are mainly enterprise and understanding the world all around me, finding myself and giving my knowledge about a lot of things.
Julia, you said that "computers / mobile phones are taking a lot of our time". In my opinion, this statement should be clarified. Computers/ mobile phones do not take a lot of our time, but we let them to do it! TV, computers and phones dominate our lives, but I think that just few of us treat that as a problem. Besides, when it comes to reading books, people always explain themselves by lack of time. But they never use that excuse when it comes to watching television or using a computer or phone.
DeleteI have no idea why polish people does not read books, but I think if we want to get the answer we should ask the west side of the world and then as a country of the 3rd world, we would know why we don't read much. Of course reading will always be there as it always was for thousands of years, because it's something so obvious for us and natural that we actually have no choice but read. I've always imagined that one day I will pay a visit to some secret underground library where there are thousands of books and most of them are the original books written by the author and i know it's a weird dream but deal with it ! My the best book of all time hmmmm. No doubt it was Harry Potter. You can mention alot of commercial or underground stuff, just to show that you are "true" but seriously, Harry Potter has that fun and wow factor that you can't resist. It's just funny to read it. "Books can awaken in us new and interesting issues which give us something to think about" this one is good. Just because reading book for me is really something inspiring and it develops the imagination. Then you can come up with some new idea by thinking out of box.
ReplyDeleteGrzegorz, I also really like "Harry Potter." I do not regard “Harry Potter” as a book for children, I think that everyone can read it at any age! And as for the dream of discovering the secret library – I would be the happiest man in the world, if such a dream could come true!
DeleteI cannot agree with you that readership in Poland is small. In my opinion, Poles read many books. Everyday I see a lot of people who read paper books or ebooks.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what is my favourite book. I have sentiment to "Gone with the Wind" and "Wuthering Heights". I love Hemnigway's "The garden of heaven", Gaarder's "The Orange Girl" and Schmitt's novels. It is so hard for me to decide which book is the best. Every of them have something special and different.
Ewa, unlike you, I totally do not see people who read books (paper or electronic). And I notice that my closest surroundings is full of people, who admit that they do not have time for books or prefer to do the other things than that. Therefore, I am inclined to say that the report of NLoP speaks about a problem which truly exist - the Poles do not read.
DeletePiotr, You should take a look around in means of public transport. There you will find a lot of readers.
DeleteHow they obtained input data to this raport?
I'm not sure that this way is correct.
I don't know as many people who borrow books from libraries (because open hours are in the same time like work hours). I also don't think that many people buy new books, because they are expensive.
However, I know many people who buy used books from antique shops (this places are always crowded), in flea markets and from allegro.
I also swap my books with somebody's books.
How they can investigate how many books I read?
Ewa, the study was conducted by the research institute TNS Poland (then TNS OBOP) on a randomly selected representative sample of 3 thousand Poles in age of 15 years and more. As I already mentioned, the basic question in the questionnaire was: "During the past 12 months have you read (in full or in part) or reviewing any book?". Respondents were asked about every book which was read to them during free time - prose of fiction (including the books on the internet) as well as non-fiction (including, inter alia: albums, dictionaries, guidebooks). So in that research was no important from where you get the books, but whether you had contact with any book within the past year. I do not want to question the methods of research, because TNS Poland has a great reputation on the Polish market research, so for me, it is hard to accuse them of some kinds of irregularities.
DeleteI do not deny that people read in a public transport. But does it really mean that the whole Poland reads? And what about the small villages, where there are no buses or trams?
1) In your opinion, why a level of readership is so small in Poland?
ReplyDeleteI don't believe my opinion has any value. I will pass on that matter. The topic of the question is too broad.
2) Do you think that reading has a future?
Yes. Tomorrow there will be still written word in my books.
3) What is your favorite book?
Hyperion D. Simmons
4) Which of the advantages of reading pointed out above convince you the most? Why?
The most convincing is that graphics with sentence:
A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man whonever reads lives only one.
Ehhh... magic of points. If there are a question marks somwhere, I tend to keep the answer simple. Either way, good topic, thanks for article.
Grzegorz, thanks for the words of appreciation. Indeed, this sentence is perhaps the most convincing one. It is nice experience when you can (sometimes or often) get away from your life and be able to feel what it is like to be someone completely different :-)
DeleteRecently I heard on the radio a conversation about reading books in our country. Someone said startling news: last year statistic tell us that average Polish citizen bought only 1,5 of book. He compared Czech Republic citizen, which bought in 2013... 14 books. I'm pretty suprised, cause in my environment, there are the readers. Some of them are more enthusiastic, some of them not quite, but indeed they like reading books.
ReplyDeleteBut... Maybe there is something in that? When I heard some random conversation I'm amused because of the everyday vernacular. Our language is miscellaneus, but there is a tendention to use plain and "trendy" words to describe various situations. So, it proves the rule that books help us develop our language and our vocabulary. This is very important argument. And, my favorite book is "A Catcher In The Rye" by J.D. Salinger
I'm really sorry that I'm writing so late. I know it's not fair, because I'm not giving you much time to respond to my comment.
ReplyDeleteAnd going back to your presentation… I’m like Stewie from Family Guy (http://www.trilulilu.ro/video-animatie/family-guy-stewie-reads-the-da-vinci-code). Sometimes I used to spend all night reading, “just another chapter”, “only few pages more”, “Only to solve that mystery” and… my alarm clock interrupted so during the following day I was so sleepy, but it was always worthy. It’s stupid, because I could divide it into parts, but reading a good book is like a addiction and then the most horrible part comes: http://static.someecards.com/someecards/usercards/1348904405033_5802848.png.
Now I have less time for reading, because I have to connect studies and work, but I love traveling by train – I have so much time for reading then and still I think that reading a good book in a bathtub is one of the most wonderful ways of spending evening.
I think that reading stimulates imagination, movies show beautiful pictures, but it’s someone’s vision, books on the other hand give us complete freedom. When I was reading Harry Potter saga I had completely different image of places and characters, those from movies are great, but it’s nothing compared to those, which I saw while I was reading books. The only thing, which I can say it’s equal to reading is listening to audiobooks, especially big production like the Witcher or the Games of Thrones. Many actors, extra special effects and voice manipulation can create a brand new scenery. The same goes with interactive books – many of our students are creating those. I think you are not aware of how wonderful diplomas we are creating on SNM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CysfZOzFTEk – if you think that’s great, our students are creating even better applications).
I do not like reading books in the bath, because there is nothing worse than wet paper :-)
DeleteYou're right. Filmmakers have limited capabilities. Our imagination has no limits. Therefore, what you imagine when reading is not comparable to what you watch in the movies!
Interactive books are amazing. But I think that in some way they also block the imagination, because they impose the images, which are a product of the imagination of somebody else. But I also believe that in times, in which children do not read books at all, the interactive books can be a good solution.
1) In your opinion, why a level of readership is so small in Poland?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion it is because books are expensive. If they would cost 5~10zł more people would consider buying them. Now books are considered in Poland as "higher" entertainment, because of their price. If they would be cheap, people would buy them like now they are buying "fakt" or "super express".
2) Do you think that reading has a future?
Reading in overall yes, not reading paper books.
3) What is your favorite book?
I have many and I can't choose only one :)
4) Which of the advantages of reading pointed out above convince you the most? Why?
"Books help us develop our language and our vocabulary" Because it is true :) You can learn many new words from good written book and It help you to speak in more compact way.
Natalia, I agree with you. Books in Poland are too expensive. Many times I bought a book that had no more than 150 pages, and cost almost 35 zł. Such amounts really scare me off. Several months ago I listened to the radio broadcast in which it was said that a book’s price is a result of two factors: the low printing and too large amount of published titles. So when I want to buy a new book I go to storehouse with cheap books. There is one in Warsaw, which I really like. Maybe I can not buy the latest publications there, but I always manage to find something interesting to read.
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ReplyDelete1) I think that this is the prostwu laziness. Simpler access to television and the computer. Contemporary media require less of us than books. In contrast, more and more people do not like to think.
ReplyDelete2) Of course it has a future. Only need to promote them accordingly.
3) Favorite book? There are many. I love to read. My room has all the walls lined with books. I could not choose a favorite. I read the Fantasy karzda book is different. literature can be divided into that which is better reads and reads worse. But I can not choose a favorite book.
I think it’s a matter of time. As we all live faster, we don’t have time for pleasure reading. Unfortunately, I spend all my free time reading books connected to the industry I’m in. Another reason is internet and other sources of pleasure. YouTube and Facebook are also driving our attention away from reading.
ReplyDeleteReading is great and it has a future of course! I believe that people will change their habits and instead of reaching for a remote control, or computer, they will change it for a book. I think that life is so fast now that people forget about such "useless" actions as reading. But one day they are going to remind themselves what they are losing. Because books are places where anything can happen and they are a feed for our imagination. I think that my favourite book is Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien. It has been with me from the early beginning and it is still a great lesson about friendship, love and courage.
ReplyDeleteI love reading books. It's a place for you and your imagination. The most beautiful thing is that the same book looks different in every reader's mind, this is albo a cause why people do not read - they are to lazy, watching a movie is easier because you see somebody's interpretation and you don't have to create your own. I hope that this trend will change and people will come back to reading.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many benefits coming from reading that I can't even express half of them. You learn how to speak, how to form your ideas, how to communicate with people while using more sophisticated vocabulary, you can run into your own world of imagination, have a while of relaxing in silence or do a milion other things.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, level of readership is so small in Poland, becasue of hours which people spend on working from 8 to 12 hours. At the end of the day, they're so tired, that books are not their priority. Furthermore, some of them have to raise children after work and that's another reason why people in Poland read books not often. Reading has the future. After all, it's one the oldest way to present own feelings, imagination and point of view. I like few authors of books and one of them would be Stephen King, who write books related to horror.
ReplyDelete“Books help us understand ourselves. It strengthens our self-confidence to realise that others think as we do and feel as we do” – I love it! And it is truth! In my opinion, reading book is so creative and interesting. Thanks to books we can deepen knowledge, get to know something new, work on personality, understand incomprehensible words, things, phenomenon, create imagination. There is no side effects of reading books. It is so important to practise it because the more we learn, the wealthier we become. I don’t have a favourite book. I prefer reading thriller but it depends on author. I love Agatha Christie and her crime stories. Always when it is raining, I just grab book and read.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I had very difficulty with reading books. I couldn't focus on the beginning of one book and I resigned of reading. Because of that I don't read too much nowadays. It's a terrible loss for me - I realise that. Of course I am trying to read some books, and sometimes I manage to read some of them. I like fantasy story, and specially historical books.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I had very difficulty with reading books. I couldn't focus on the beginning of one book and I resigned of reading. Because of that I don't read too much nowadays. It's a terrible loss for me - I realise that. Of course I am trying to read some books, and sometimes I manage to read some of them. I like fantasy story, and specially historical books.
ReplyDeleteI used to read obscene amounts of books when I was younger, and they were really my only hobby. Since then, I think I slowly stopped reading so much mostly because most popular books just aren't very interesting, and when I do get to reading them I find that they mostly copy what has already been done in vastly inferior ways. Additionally, new books are expensive and reading is time-consuming, so library limits are inconvenient.
ReplyDeleteDoes reading have a future? Surely, at the least, not a much worse one then what it has now. I can't even start to imagine how communication and learning would look like without literature.
As to what is my favourite book, I surely can't pick one title of all time. I find myself re-reading many books and my way of seeing them changes every time. Right now, I'm binge-reading Stanisław Lem's works and am enjoying them very much.
I think that that one sentence that everybody's been quoting here rings very true and serves as literature's most enjoyable virtue. After all, most of us lead very average lives, and everybody would like to feel like the protagonist of a story.
I will sound like someone from two generations backward but i think it is because of computers, games and tablets everywhere, really. When kids have to choose between playing and reading they will most likely choose playing or watching something weird. Also i think that shool ruins love for reading - when you have to, really HAVE TO read lot of borning (for you) books, and you have tests from them and you have to do it for years while not having time to read something you would really like to - why would you like to read at all after that? I remember when finished high school with all those "Lalka", "Potop", "Wesele" and many other painfully borning books i couldn't even look at any book for two months despite fact that i always liked to read.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite book? Well, probably it always be 'Harry Potter' series because I always read it with smile on face - i would write it something more about time, but i would quote two characters i don't like at once, so I will not do this :)
ReplyDeleteWe are in the age of internet, readership is small not only in Poland. It's a global occurrence. It's worrying. Without books we will flatten our imagination. But it's a natural order - internet came so books will slowly die. Reading has a future but also in the internet or e-books. We need new devices for books in new form.
My favourite book is "Pierwszy krok w chmurach" by Marek Hłasko. It was written in 1956. Hłasko wrote about sad reality in Poland during PRL.
“Books develop our thinking. They give us concepts to think with and new ideas. They widen our consciousness and our world” - It's important for me. We need broader horizons, we need new ideas. It's a key to development. Books widen our world and imagination
In the age of technology there is no place for books. This is the view we can see almost everyday. But it doesn't work with me. Reading a book is my favourite way of relax, even better than having a nap. My favourite 3 books have always been "Year 1984" of George Orwell, "The Little Prince" of Antoine de Saint-Exupery and "Heban" of Ryszard Kapuściński. These three books, read in primary school, have changed ma life forever. They made me think, dream and analise the world, which surrounds me. It's always sad news for me when I listen in the radio that average Polish reads aprox. 0,5 books per year. People who watches TV, but read no books are like brainless and perfect-prepared for being under control of propaganda. Reading books can make you think.
ReplyDeleteReading books will ive everytime. It is more then movies. Film is a picture of producer, but while you are reading you can use exactly your imagination and I think it is more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI can't say, what book is my favorite. There are too much books in the world, and I have read a lot of books, it is impossible to say, what book is the best. All of them are different. But I can say that I like to read Bułgakow, especcialy "The heart of dog". I like a belorussian writer Uladsimir Karatkevich. He is a classical, but it seemed to me that he was writing for teenagers of this time. There were the first names which i remembered.
I believe that the level of literacy in our country is not too high. It seems that people read a lot of books, but the fast lifestyle and new technologies, unfortunately, some people drove reading books. In my opinion, reading has a future, change can only sposo reading. Instead of traditional books people often use e-books. My favorite book is "Marsz Polonia" Jerzy Pilch. It's quite difficult, but interesting book. Reading allows you to relax, develops imagination and mind, and is a great pastime, and sometimes inclined to think.
ReplyDeleteI don't belive that people in Poland don't read. When I'm in bus or metro there are lots of them reading books every kind - criminals, historic books, documentary, romance etc. So where is this 60%? I think for the biggest part of them don't want to read because of high price of books. You can say - 'there are libraries!' - but not all of them are good equiped, people whose living outside the big cities have got problems with find thousands of titles.
ReplyDeleteI read a lot, so I can't choose my favourite book, and I think that we shouldn't choose only one!
The best option to increse level of reading people is to talk about this and show them how fantastic can be reading!
I think that a level of readership in Polnad is so small, because people are in rush, they always will have better things to do than reading, like having some work to do, spending time with family and friends or even going for parties. In my opinion reading has really big future. It's the basement of every science, I mean that if you want to broaden your mind you should read a lot - articles and science books. My favourite book recently is 'Last Song' by Nicholas Sparks. I could read this book again and again even if some moments are really sad. I like such type of books, because I can relax and escape from everyday life and problems for a moment.
ReplyDeleteI think that problem of low level of readership is global, not polish. World is becoming more and more interactive and electronic, young people are interested more in videos or photos not just letters. But we also read a lot via Internet. If somebody don’t read book it doesn’t makes him or her analphabet who is reading nothing.
ReplyDeleteReading has a future because still there are people who love books and the ones who writes them. Children and teens would read gladly if set books are more modern and interesting. School makes a lot of people hate reading.
I don’t have favorite book. There are few writers whose books I dig: Maja Lidia Kossakowska (all of her books), Jarosław Grzędowicz (for his “Lord of frozen garden”), Naomi Novik (series about Temeraire for children and adults) and Anna Rice (especially her “The vampire chronicles”).
In my opinion, the level of readership is so small in Poland, because people have less and less time. Everywhere they are in a hurry, they have many things and duties on their heads. Therefore, they choose something easier, simpler and faster, that is television and interenet. Instead of reading, they prefer to spend their free time watching movies or TV series, or browsing social media.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in my opinion people will always read books, maybe it will change their dimension, because they will choose e-books and audiobooks, but we will also stay with the traditional way of reading.
As for my favorite book, I think I do not have one. I read various, from fantasy, through travel, to romantic.
Each of these advantages convinces me how much good reading books give us. In my opinion, reading gives everyone something different, but for everyone it is an undeniable source of wisdom.
In my opinion a level of readership is so small in Poland because of development of electronics. People prefer to spend time on watching movies, playing computer games, listening to music. Even if they like to read, they prefer articles on the Internet on topics that interest them. Nevertheless, I know many people who like to read books. When I was younger, I thought it’s must be very boring, but now - I’ve over 15 books that are on the shelf in my room. My problem is lack of time – but I promise myself, that I’m going to read them in the summer! :)
ReplyDeleteI love reading books. I understand that a level of reading is not so high as it was a few years earlier. I think it’s because of technological develop. Despite of this I think reading definitely has a future. There will always be enthusiasts of reading. Without this, culture and wisdom will disappear. People became illiterate. My favourite book is A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. The book is long but if you like to lose yourself in the book world, you have to read it. The most convincing advantage of reading books for me is that they can explain a real world for us. It is amazing that the book can help us understand life, problems and puzzles of the world. And it seems that these are only words written on a piece of paper.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion a level of readership is nowadays smaler and smaler because of Internet in today's we have ebook instead of real books all of them we can download and read right away. When it comes to the future reading always had it not important in what form it always taught and broadened the imagination. Thanks to books you could find wherever you want and whenever you want, you could to get away from reality. I will not say which book is my favorite because I like a lot of books , instead I'm asking you what kind of book I'm most interested in ? These are psychological books and criminal books that have a second bottom in them you always wait for ending with impatience. Unfortunately, during my studies I have little time to read them, but I hope I will find it. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell, I really don't know why level of readership is so small in Poland, but I think that it is going to be better. I see almost everyday some people in public communication, at the bus stops or trains who are reading. I don't have one my favourite book, I have a lot of books that I like to read again and again. In my opinion all the advantages of reading pointed out above are convincing. But I like the most this one: “Books develop our thinking. They give us concepts to think with and new ideas. They widen our consciousness and our world” and I totally agree with it.
ReplyDeleteI have been loving reading books all my life, especially adventurous novels. Now I am reading "The People's History of the USA" by Howard Zinn. My favourite book is "The Snow" by O. Pamuk about Turkey and their problems. I believe that reading books broaden our imagination and make us more creative.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, criticizing small readership can be caused by classism. We have no right to criticise others for the fact that they don't read books as we are in a social privileged position. This activity is a part of the cultural capital, which was inherited by us.
It's sad that so less people in Poland read books. I think the reason of it may be developing technology - now people can watch a movie without living a house and they find it more satisfying than reading a book. For me it's weird, because I really love reading books and it's one of my favourite ways of spending free time. In public transport I often see people reading books or ebooks, so I think that true readlovers won't go extinct. I don't have favourite book, but recently I read amazing novel written by John Steinbeck. It is called "Na wschód od Edenu". It is about two brothers and complicated relations between them. It is full of timeless observations and feelings, which we all feel. Every character has a features, which we can find in ourselves. This novel can help to better understand people behaviour (other people and ourselves). For me main advantage of reading a book is that they help be tolerant and teach, how to enter into someone else point of view. They also make us forget about problems and tough Times.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion a level of readership is so small mainly because we live in the day and age of pictures and images. Everything is digital. People also live quickly, so they don't have time to read. It's easier to watch 2 hours movie than read a book. Take less time to do it! Also in Poland book are quite expensive especially new ones in hard covers. I think that reading has a future. People had been reading years and years before other ways of getting knowledge and entertainment were discovered. Even if the form of books will change, people still will need stories to read. Nowadays many people use Kindels and other ebooks, also audiobooks are quite popular. I use Kindel myself and to be honest I started reading more books just because of comforts it provides. So, yes I think that reading has a future, probably in different form but people still need books. My fave book is "The Hours" by Micheal Cunnigham. It's a beautiful story about three women living in different times but dealing with similar problems and issues. It is written in a very poetic language, the form is also interesting. But the biggest advantage of it is a very moving plot. The most convincing advantage of reading pointed out is “Books develop our thinking. They give us concepts to think with and new ideas. They widen our consciousness and our world”; and “Books help us understand ourselves. It strengthens our self-confidence to realise that others think as we do and feel as we do”. The first one is very true because books learn us how to borden our horizons in many ways. The second one is also convincing because sometimes a well written book is better than advice from a friend, we can learn from book characters mistakes.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, for many people, especially in the period of advancing technology, reading books is associated with something boring, uninteresting. Perhaps this is connected with some deficiencies in education, bad habits in childhood (for example, that parents for a holy peace show children a television instead of reading them for example).
ReplyDeleteI think that we lose a lot - books, as mentioned in the article, have the same benefits! Our imagination, intellect, horizons and linguistic wealth are developing. We do not make spelling mistakes and we can express ourselves on various topics.I do not think, for example, that social actions will bring the desired effect - it is already deeply rooted in people, that in their spare time they reach for a computer, television or telephone instead of a book.
I love books. This is my best way for rest after hard day on academy. Concededly I read many of books which are required on my polish philology studies, but it is any barrier to read more. :) When I immerse in reading story I enter in this world utterly. I feel as one of protagonists of book and experience everything with them. I think that in this way I can forgot about my grey, normal world or against - derive inspiration, how I can change my environment.
ReplyDeleteI regret that so less Poles benefit from this activity. Reading books broaden mind, develop imagination and learn. World presented in books usually is comparable to reality, but if you don't like realistic books, you can choose something from science fiction. Everybody can find something riveting.
I love reading books all my heart. I've had this habit since I learn to read. I am also stricken with low lever of readership in Poland. I think that Polish people are not taught to using literaturę in daily life. And at last bt not least, last time when they read something were setbooks in school. I strongly believe that in epoque of visual media reading still keeps up with current needs of society. In my opinion, the most convincing reason of reading books are benefits related with getting to know other point of views, different behaviuors and new situations. We can get some kind of experience even If we are not old and experienced in life.
ReplyDeleteI think the level of readership is low not only in Poland. My generation usually prefere watching movies than reading books. Younger kids may never read a book in their life! It is scary. I read sometimes. I have days, when I feel really stupid and unnecessary - especially during autumn/winter. I try to read "smart" books, but honestly I prefere psychological grama than other kinds. I have always liked that. My favourite book since I was a little girl is - The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I have a big poster of it in my room. It remains me of times, when I had depression and eating disorders and why I have to be strong now. Books helped me, I am really grateful.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest - I do not think that reading have a bright future. I think in ten years - only the smartest people would read.
I love reading books and I really believe and hope, that this form of spending free time won't die in the nearest future. In my opinion low level of readership in not caused by lack of willingness or laziness, but by lack of free time - and it's not just about Poland, but every developed country. People live in rush, they usually don't have time to eat - why are we talking about reading books then?
ReplyDeleteOf course, I know that there is that specific group of people, who simply don't want to read and unfortunetely I won't change probably.
I also have no time. I wish I had more free moments, in which I could have everything in my nose, grab a book and read all day, taking care of no one and nothing.
Reading books can make your imagination run wild and put you in a world of your own..
ReplyDeleteMust read motivational books for women