Hooked to books

In such times when the quiet pleasure of reading is getting lost in the world of
e-books, book clubs like those in Patiala offer a ray of hope, writes Swati Rai

IN today’s tech-savvy world, we text not talk, type not write and network on the net! We read only the bold font, not life’s fine print and talking of print, we even plug in and plug off an e-book on the move! No wonder, then, that the quiet pleasure of reading is getting lost somewhere.

It seems that the idiot box and multimedia gizmos have cast their psychedelic shadow on bookstores, which have become anything but a reader’s haven. The ‘new age’ book bars, with blaring music, are more of speed-dating addas, a real Facebook Wall. Teachers, parents, and the society, at large, are concerned about the fate of reading.

They remember a time when books were good gifts, and even better bookshelf ornaments. "Reading offers the mind new vistas of imagination and gives the reader a fresh outlook to life. The waning interest of children in reading is a matter of concern for the parent and the teacher community alike. The so-called academics’ burden is nothing but a convenient excuse," says Stanley Vinod Kumar, Principal, Yadavindra Public School, Patiala.

The question is, why is reading important, especially for a child?

According to Latha Palat, Head of Department, English, Sanskriti School, New Delhi, "When a child reads, he/she actively engages with the theme of the text and subtext of the book. Reading gives the child a more holistic sensorial experience. It not only enhances his/her vocabulary, reading speed and the ability to read between the lines but also helps to create a well rounded personality."

But the ground reality is that most children, knowing full well the advantages of reading, still run away from it. School libraries are overflowing with books, but readers are missing, parental intention is there but actions are missing.

"I have the best of books in my child’s room yet he prefers his X-Box any day’, says Manpreet Pannu, mother of a seven-year-old from Chandigarh. "I am worried as to how can I inculcate the habit of reading in my child. The only consolation of sorts is that I am not the only parent in this situation." Well, then where does the responsibility of instilling the habit of reading lie, at home or
at school?

Aruna Sankaranarayanan, director, Prayatana, Hyderabad, says forming an active book club can be an effective way to light the spark in a child. She avers, "Book clubs in schools help children enjoy the limitless potential of books in a stimulating environment.`A0Without the pressure of marks and syllabus, in a book club, the teacher can explore the written word with the students as the latter make meaning and discover themselves and other worlds."`A0

She adds that reading in children may be enhanced by reading aloud to them on a regular basis.`A0School libraries may also provide access to many types of books that cater to different interests. One of the best ways of supporting children’s reading is to provide them with books they enjoy.`A0Parents may also create a literate culture at home where books are prized, read and discussed.`A0Word-consciousness may be promoted by playing games like Scrabble and Boggle.

Once this interest in reading a book is developed in a child, it carries on for life. The challenge lies in sustaining this interest in today’s fast-paced world. This was the challenge faced by Dr Bharti and Mrs Ravi Singh of Patiala, both passionate about reading. They transformed their hobby into a collective movement of consciously reading and discussing books in their two-year-old 20-member club. From theology to policy, from non-fiction to pulp fiction, they have discussed all themes threadbare. A member of this elite club, Gitanjali Ghumman states that though the idea of a book club is looked down upon by their families as yet another kitty party group, yet she finds it stimulating to exchange the readings of the same text by different people.

Reena Guneet, a new member of the club, says, "Apart from the joy that reading a book affords one, there are some concrete benefits of indulging in this habit. The ability to read between the lines, vocabulary enhancement, understanding themes and sub-themes, improving reading speed are some of the reasons for snuggling with a book on a rainy afternoon."

Book discussions within the group, besides authors, like Neena Kahlon (Remembering the Juice Mango), and Khushwant Singh (Sikhs Unlimited) mark some of the activities of this club. These activities go a long way in strengthening the bond of a reader and the book. So more power to readers of the printed word.