Inspiring non readers

BenBanned · 01-06-2011, 04:46 PM

Recently one of my friends started talking to me about reading, which was nice because outside the interwebz I have no one to talk to about reading. A few Lovecraft shorts later he decided to take the plunge and purchase an e-reader.
So I did some research (mostly on this site) for him and he decided on this one;
Aluratek Libre Pro
80$ at target, how could you say no?
Anyways now he has more books loaded up than he knows what to do with and has 2x the enthusiasm for reading than I do.

Have you gotten friends or family to start reading?
Any tips for inspiring the massive hordes of un-read?

wvcherrybomb · 01-07-2011, 12:19 AM

This is a nice story.

I've been looking all over for a good deal on a reader for my family members to pass around among themselves in hopes someone gets attached.

I seem to have just missed the $60 Pandigital Novel 7" at Kohl's.

Luke King · 01-07-2011, 12:30 AM

I don't know how you inspire someone who doesn't read to read. Tell them it's the closest thing to psychic communication you can get -- the only way to get into someone else's mind. This might work.

Beyond that, I would say recommending books that are absolutely unputdownable.

kindlekitten · 01-07-2011, 02:25 AM

I read to my teenage Girl Scouts on camping trips. I would always make sure to just not be able to finish books in the time alloted

funny how that worked! these were 12-18 year olds. some were readers, most were not. after a year of this parents started telling me that the girls were reading. a lot!

unboggling · 01-07-2011, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I read to my teenage Girl Scouts on camping trips. I would always make sure to just not be able to finish books in the time alloted

funny how that worked! these were 12-18 year olds. some were readers, most were not. after a year of this parents started telling me that the girls were reading. a lot!

lol. A tried and true trick that many authors are fond of. Leave them hanging on the edge of the cliff.

maianhvk · 01-07-2011, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke King

I don't know how you inspire someone who doesn't read to read. Tell them it's the closest thing to psychic communication you can get -- the only way to get into someone else's mind. This might work.

Beyond that, I would say recommending books that are absolutely unputdownable.

totally agree

I have some friends who are just like they've seen the red sign DO NOT READ in front of their faces. That's it. They don't read. We must accept the fact that some people don't read.

BenBanned · 01-07-2011, 03:25 AM

Thats the thing the though, its 2010 everyone reads. Imagine going an entire day without reading and Im not talking about books. Not everyone has to be a freakishly devoted reader. Would it really be that painful for a non reader to read two books a year? There is practically a book on any subject known to mankind............... where am I going with this? I need sleep.
Merry Christmas! To any one else on the Julian Calendar.

DarkRoast · 01-07-2011, 03:48 AM

I vacillate between being a non-reader and a bits and pieces slow reader. What inspires me to read is hearing about new books and listening to the authors. I don't want to feel guilty about not finishing every book. I sometimes only read chapters of a book and enjoy it. Otherwise, it can become a chore. I read for the ideas and to hear the rhythm of the prose and the experience of someone else thinking inside my head.

unboggling · 01-07-2011, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRoast

I don't want to feel guilty about not finishing every book. I sometimes only read chapters of a book and enjoy it. Otherwise, it can become a chore.

Don't feel guilty. My habits regarding that changed after I got the Kindle a month ago. I was an avid genre reader all my life as a hobby, even more so after I retired. When I read a pBook it was generally all or nothing, with no "cheating" looking at the last 3 chapters first. With the Kindle for some reason I don't know myself, that changed. Now if it's boring or a 'chore' at any point, I'll go right to the last few chapters. Even when in some cases it's a good book.

Regarding inspiration of non-readers, a gift of one of the entry-level devices might do the trick. On the person's assumption that a nifty new tech device can't be all bad.

Exer · 01-07-2011, 04:29 AM

My little brother hated books in his younger years, then we had to move away from home for a few months without our parents. It wasn't an issue for me, because I'm 11 years older than he is, but he got extremely homesick and was missing our parents a lot. We were sharing a room at the time, and he was really having issues sleeping. Just a combination of all the changes we were going through.

So one night I started verbally reenacting from memory some of my favorite fantasy books. That worked like a charm! He loved it, and before I knew it he was having me take him to the book store so he could pick up his own stuff. I still remember his very first book was Redwall, which he found in the 'young adult' section. He was so proud of himself lol.

unboggling · 01-07-2011, 07:42 AM

My first purchase of a "grown-up" book at age 7 was A Princess of Mars. I stole the money, maybe 2 or 3 dollars, from my grandmother's cash-in-the-jar secret stash and walked 10 blocks to the nearest bookstore, all by myself, in a big city. I was so proud.

Until the theft was discovered.

But I aspired to be a grown-up reader because, as mentioned by others above, in my early childhood I noticed my parents reading whenever they got the chance.

DArenson · 01-07-2011, 09:10 AM

I think reading is like classic music. Some people love it. They were born to love it. Others don't get it. It's boring for them. Unfortunately, I sometimes feel that there are readers, and non-readers, and the two are different species. :P

kindlekitten · 01-07-2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkRoast

I vacillate between being a non-reader and a bits and pieces slow reader. What inspires me to read is hearing about new books and listening to the authors. I don't want to feel guilty about not finishing every book. I sometimes only read chapters of a book and enjoy it. Otherwise, it can become a chore. I read for the ideas and to hear the rhythm of the prose and the experience of someone else thinking inside my head.

one of the best gifts I ever gave myself was permission to walk away from a book. this was even before ereading. it might be a generational thing, I am not sure, of many of us that somehow got it drilled into our heads that if you are going to start a book you need to finish it. under that onus it is completely understandable how reading for some people could be a chore. I still wrestle with walking away from books, now it is not the wasted paper etc that flashes through my head, but respect for all the skull sweat and dedication that the author has devoted to their work. I know, we all have our own baggage issues

DixieGal · 01-07-2011, 09:31 AM

I think we readers are wired differently. When I read, the words disappear into the story, but Tim, a non-reader, never gets beyond looking at the words. He is so intent on the words that he is reading that he forgets to think about the story.

On the other hand, we read aloud to each other. We listen to audiobooks together. He can follow along just fine like that. He is simply not wired for visual reading comprehension.

s1mp13m4n · 01-07-2011, 10:49 AM

Alright, to the OP here is my small story.

I was born legally blind (visually impaired) in both eyes, so I have never had great eyesite. I never did much reading because of my eyes. The words would jump on the page, could not find a book in large print, or my reading glasses are so strong (10X prism) that reading was uncomfortable having to hold the book up to my face.
I bought my wife an Amazon Kindle 3 for Christmas because she likes to read and I knew she would love a device like that. I then found this site and started asking questions and trying to learn. I also started using my wife's Kindle and started playing with it. With that device I can read up to 30 minute chunks with up to 60 minutes at a burst. I have never been able to do that. The text can be set to a slightly smaller level and then use my weaker glasses to add a bit of magnification so I do not have to make so many page turns, and it works great.
I have purchased a Jetbook Lite for myself and I am waiting for it to arrive. Another member here told me about their eye problems and the Jetbook is what they use, so that is good enough for me. Now I am enjoying reading and I take my time and am in no rush to complete a book.
To get someone in to reading.....hmmmmm, well for me I started with a movie and then found the books that went with it. My wife and I like Harry Potter and she told me how much better the books are than the movies. I started with the Harry Potter books and she was right. A book is so much better than a movie. I would advise finding someones interests that relate to a movie and start there. If they liked the movie of say "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy", then try the book. I am just a newbie and so far this is an enjoyable ride.

01-06-2011, 04:46 PM	#1
BenBanned Groupie Posts: 169 Karma: 1326166 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ Device: Paper	Inspiring non readers Recently one of my friends started talking to me about reading, which was nice because outside the interwebz I have no one to talk to about reading. A few Lovecraft shorts later he decided to take the plunge and purchase an e-reader. So I did some research (mostly on this site) for him and he decided on this one; Aluratek Libre Pro 80$ at target, how could you say no? Anyways now he has more books loaded up than he knows what to do with and has 2x the enthusiasm for reading than I do. Have you gotten friends or family to start reading? Any tips for inspiring the massive hordes of un-read?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Inspiring read from terminal cancer sufferer	geraldandannie	Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers	0	12-15-2010 01:22 PM
Inspiring story	mataba nkosi	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	0	03-17-2010 09:58 PM
Hi, all readers	turtle	IMP	3	12-21-2008 06:20 PM
Entertaining, capturing and inspiring soul teaser	irapas1	Reading Recommendations	0	10-25-2003 07:15 AM

01-07-2011, 12:19 AM	#2
wvcherrybomb Sharp Shootin' Grandma Posts: 847 Karma: 1123940 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sunny Florida Device: Kindle 3, Kindle Fire, Literati (has been adopted by my daughter)	This is a nice story. I've been looking all over for a good deal on a reader for my family members to pass around among themselves in hopes someone gets attached. I seem to have just missed the $60 Pandigital Novel 7" at Kohl's.

01-07-2011, 12:30 AM	#3
Luke King Member Retired Posts: 173 Karma: 200000 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kindle 2	I don't know how you inspire someone who doesn't read to read. Tell them it's the closest thing to psychic communication you can get -- the only way to get into someone else's mind. This might work. Beyond that, I would say recommending books that are absolutely unputdownable.

01-07-2011, 02:25 AM	#4
kindlekitten Professional Adventuress Posts: 13,368 Karma: 50260224 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Olympic Peninsula on the OTHER Washington! (the big green clean one on the west coast!) Device: Kindle, the original! Times Two! and gifting an International Kindle	I read to my teenage Girl Scouts on camping trips. I would always make sure to just not be able to finish books in the time alloted funny how that worked! these were 12-18 year olds. some were readers, most were not. after a year of this parents started telling me that the girls were reading. a lot!

01-07-2011, 03:25 AM	#7
BenBanned Groupie Posts: 169 Karma: 1326166 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NJ Device: Paper	Thats the thing the though, its 2010 everyone reads. Imagine going an entire day without reading and Im not talking about books. Not everyone has to be a freakishly devoted reader. Would it really be that painful for a non reader to read two books a year? There is practically a book on any subject known to mankind............... where am I going with this? I need sleep. Merry Christmas! To any one else on the Julian Calendar.

01-07-2011, 03:48 AM	#8
DarkRoast Enthusiast Posts: 43 Karma: 55272 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Australia Device: Sony Reader 650	I vacillate between being a non-reader and a bits and pieces slow reader. What inspires me to read is hearing about new books and listening to the authors. I don't want to feel guilty about not finishing every book. I sometimes only read chapters of a book and enjoy it. Otherwise, it can become a chore. I read for the ideas and to hear the rhythm of the prose and the experience of someone else thinking inside my head.

01-07-2011, 04:29 AM	#10
Exer I see Russia! Posts: 205 Karma: 234787 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alaska Device: Etch-A-Sketch	My little brother hated books in his younger years, then we had to move away from home for a few months without our parents. It wasn't an issue for me, because I'm 11 years older than he is, but he got extremely homesick and was missing our parents a lot. We were sharing a room at the time, and he was really having issues sleeping. Just a combination of all the changes we were going through. So one night I started verbally reenacting from memory some of my favorite fantasy books. That worked like a charm! He loved it, and before I knew it he was having me take him to the book store so he could pick up his own stuff. I still remember his very first book was Redwall, which he found in the 'young adult' section. He was so proud of himself lol.

01-07-2011, 07:42 AM	#11
unboggling Wizard Posts: 1,065 Karma: 858115 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kobo Clara, Kindle Paperwhite 10	My first purchase of a "grown-up" book at age 7 was A Princess of Mars. I stole the money, maybe 2 or 3 dollars, from my grandmother's cash-in-the-jar secret stash and walked 10 blocks to the nearest bookstore, all by myself, in a big city. I was so proud. Until the theft was discovered. But I aspired to be a grown-up reader because, as mentioned by others above, in my early childhood I noticed my parents reading whenever they got the chance.

01-07-2011, 09:10 AM	#12
DArenson ebookworm Posts: 268 Karma: 100026 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada Device: Kobo, Kindle	I think reading is like classic music. Some people love it. They were born to love it. Others don't get it. It's boring for them. Unfortunately, I sometimes feel that there are readers, and non-readers, and the two are different species. :P

01-07-2011, 09:31 AM	#14
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I think we readers are wired differently. When I read, the words disappear into the story, but Tim, a non-reader, never gets beyond looking at the words. He is so intent on the words that he is reading that he forgets to think about the story. On the other hand, we read aloud to each other. We listen to audiobooks together. He can follow along just fine like that. He is simply not wired for visual reading comprehension.

01-07-2011, 10:49 AM	#15
s1mp13m4n Zealot Posts: 127 Karma: 1278 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Virginia, USA Device: Kindle Oasis	Alright, to the OP here is my small story. I was born legally blind (visually impaired) in both eyes, so I have never had great eyesite. I never did much reading because of my eyes. The words would jump on the page, could not find a book in large print, or my reading glasses are so strong (10X prism) that reading was uncomfortable having to hold the book up to my face. I bought my wife an Amazon Kindle 3 for Christmas because she likes to read and I knew she would love a device like that. I then found this site and started asking questions and trying to learn. I also started using my wife's Kindle and started playing with it. With that device I can read up to 30 minute chunks with up to 60 minutes at a burst. I have never been able to do that. The text can be set to a slightly smaller level and then use my weaker glasses to add a bit of magnification so I do not have to make so many page turns, and it works great. I have purchased a Jetbook Lite for myself and I am waiting for it to arrive. Another member here told me about their eye problems and the Jetbook is what they use, so that is good enough for me. Now I am enjoying reading and I take my time and am in no rush to complete a book. To get someone in to reading.....hmmmmm, well for me I started with a movie and then found the books that went with it. My wife and I like Harry Potter and she told me how much better the books are than the movies. I started with the Harry Potter books and she was right. A book is so much better than a movie. I would advise finding someones interests that relate to a movie and start there. If they liked the movie of say "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy", then try the book. I am just a newbie and so far this is an enjoyable ride.