I like statistics but I don't like being just average. In may ways I want to be below the average American like in hours of watching television per week (avg. is 35+ hours) and consumer debt (avg.credit card is $6,000- $9,000). In other areas I want to be well above the average. I love to read but the Average American does not.
Some very sad statistics:
1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.
42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.
80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.
70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.
57 percent of new books are not read to completion.
70 percent of books published do not earn back their advance.
70 percent of the books published do not make a profit.
(Source: Jerold Jenkins, www.JenkinsGroupInc.com)
I also know that if you can read and afford to buy a book you are among the wealthiest of the world. I read a lot of great books and so do my children.
"You may have tangible wealth untold.
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be –
I had a mother who read to me."
— Strickland Gillilan
"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."
— Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"
"Wear the old coat and buy the new book."
— Austin Phelps
"The things I want to know are in books. My best friend is the man who'll get me a book I [haven't] read."
— Abraham Lincoln
"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall."
— Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Read Some Books Today!
