Books and Their Status in Our Lives

There is something that makes me extremely sad and I would like to share it with you, as readers of this magazine who are like close friends. Maybe you will have an answer for me, an answer that can convince me and shed new light on this path. I have been wondering for such a long time about this issue that I no longer remember when this question sparkled in my mind for the first time and ever since I have been seeking the appropriate explanation and respond to this question which has for me turned into a riddle by now. To be honest with you, I am indeed very concerned about the underlying reasons of this phenomena; that is as I call it. Let me reveal my concern first; why don’t people generally read books? Why do the public refuse to spend and devote part of their income to books? And what is it with books that people make up all kinds of excuses to avoid reading and spending part of their lifetime on study?

As kids, we usually have a certain pocket money, but I have seen that except for some children who like books and show interest in stories and even various other areas of reading, such as astrology, science and wildlife, many others don’t spend any money on books at all and they never show any keen interest in a book at all; regardless of the topic and genre of book offered to them. Maybe reading books has not yet turned into a cultural phenomenon and habit in their families and so it is something quite new and even strange for them and they prefer to keep their distance too! But then, I wonder how the attitude of such kids coming from the abovementioned and similar family backgrounds can take a new turn and direction.

I personally believe that in addition to families, schools can play determining and vital role in increasing children’s interest and in encouraging them to read [more] books. Still, there are many schools that have not realized this importance and neglect this issue as part of their curriculum for the students studying there. Therefore after the first few years of primary school, children unfamiliar with books, other than their textbooks, find other hobbies and entertain themselves in other ways such as playing video games, watching television and conducting outdoor activities of different sort. If this is the situation, then children will never miss books and realize what part they are missing in life; as they have never discovered the joy of study and the secret to each single book they would have known otherwise.

So, how many books do you often read? Are you a bookworm? Are you keen on books and look forward to new stories and what they might offer you in each page? At least try it, even if it’s your first time, I am sure you will be pleased afterwards and be enriched with a deep sense of satisfaction…

Sh. Ghandehari