Let the Government stop thinking of reading and books as part of "education", and more as part of a healthy existence. If they can set a target of five fruit and vegetables a day for the adult population, why can't they set a target of 20 books a year? Why shouldn't the GP, faced with an aimless, purposeless, depressed patient, not inquire "Are you reading enough?" just as they might say "Are you eating sensibly?"
Fifty books a year while in education; 20 a year throughout adult life. That might turn our lives around.
--Philip Hensher, Fifty books a year is ideal, but why stop at school children?
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I'm pushing 50 books so far this year and it's not even April! I think this is great advice. People definitely should read more and eat more fruits and veggies! :) Great post!
ReplyDeleteI like this idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is a response to a government edict here in the UK that children should be expected to read 50 books a year. It has caused considerable controversy mainly because the Minister for Education, who made the remark, has consistently, opened his mouth, spoken before he's thought, put both feet well and truly in the offending orifice and then had to retract them extremely swiftly. In other words, he has prior. The major objections in this case are twofold. Firstly, there has been no discussion of helping children to choose books and to discuss what is read, it's the number that's important, nothing else. Secondly, how in a time when school budgets are being cut and libraries closed are they supposed to get their hands on these books? Being a millionaire, he tends to forget that not everyone has the resources he has. In principle I'm all for children being encouraged to read as much as possible. I spent forty years in education working to that effect, but this needs seeing in context.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting idea and an interesting context that Annie has put it into.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I definitely agree that reading is essential to a happy, well-balanced life.
ReplyDeleteI find the numbers so interesting because I myself average around 50 books a year.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
I'd be soooo Healthy!
ReplyDeleteThat would give them a reason to keep funding the libraries!
ReplyDeleteI read over 100 books a year so I am quite healthy. I love the idea of giving the citizens of our country a minimum number of books that should be read each year. You should make this recommendation on the U.S. Dept. Of Education website.
ReplyDelete