Why do certain kids hate reading?
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The problem is not that it's put on a pedestal, it's that the pedestal is not nearly high enough. Oh the perspective, satisfaction and education that the world would have if everyone read a couple of books every now and then.Erana said:
I'm sixteen, and I'm not sure why a lot of people don't read. It makes me sad. I love reading! Sometimes, when I find a good story (Fallout: Equestria anyone?) I'll pick that over video games, TV, movies, and even hanging with my friends!
It think it's mostly a strange combination of what's already been said here. But I don't get it. Sure the bullcrap schools make you read (To Kill a Mocking Bird, any shi- bad stuff by Shakesphere) isn't any good but that doesn't mean EVERYTHING is bad.
It think it's mostly a strange combination of what's already been said here. But I don't get it. Sure the bullcrap schools make you read (To Kill a Mocking Bird, any shi- bad stuff by Shakesphere) isn't any good but that doesn't mean EVERYTHING is bad.
If the only time you ever touch a book is when being forced to read at school, then yeah, you won't like it.
For me, it was the hobbit that really got me into reading, I received it as a gift from my grandparents. It's an exceptional book. The books I read currently are technical programming books, the haruhi suzumiya light novels and the discworld novels(if you haven't heard of discworld than abandon whatever you're doing and run, yes run, to your nearest library or bookstore).
I think if reading is always their for kids as a source of entertainment they'll like it. It it's something they have to do twice a year for school then of cause they'll hate it. Imagine if you only saw one movie a year for your whole life, and it was always a random one the school picked. You wouldn't associate movies with fun. It's the same things with books.
The other problem is that if they don't read often, then they will struggle to get through a decent sized book. it's obvious that not enough people read and write, you can see it in the halfbrained posts on forums, far to many are written as though the poster only had seconds to write the post and click submit(protip: you have all the time in the world to edit your post before sending it).
It's a shame too, since books and games have the best value for money as far as entertainment is concerned.
For me, it was the hobbit that really got me into reading, I received it as a gift from my grandparents. It's an exceptional book. The books I read currently are technical programming books, the haruhi suzumiya light novels and the discworld novels(if you haven't heard of discworld than abandon whatever you're doing and run, yes run, to your nearest library or bookstore).
I think if reading is always their for kids as a source of entertainment they'll like it. It it's something they have to do twice a year for school then of cause they'll hate it. Imagine if you only saw one movie a year for your whole life, and it was always a random one the school picked. You wouldn't associate movies with fun. It's the same things with books.
The other problem is that if they don't read often, then they will struggle to get through a decent sized book. it's obvious that not enough people read and write, you can see it in the halfbrained posts on forums, far to many are written as though the poster only had seconds to write the post and click submit(protip: you have all the time in the world to edit your post before sending it).
It's a shame too, since books and games have the best value for money as far as entertainment is concerned.
Maybe some people just don't have the imagination required in reading? Not a bad thing, don't forget there are 2 main catagories of thinkers, those with artistic imaginative minds, and those with mathimatical science minds. Although we all use both parts to a certain degree, everyone uses one side more.
Maybe thats why some people like fiction, and others like real life stuff... I don't know. Personally I have a mind that is imaginative, and I could continue to speculate a lot on most questions, and I like fantasy novels, or thrillers that make you think. I really don't get on with biographies (which judging by Waterstones in the UK, are very popular now.) I also don't quite like non fiction stuff, even things about stuff I like in real life!
I don't know, maybe a lot of people try reading what other people read, and don't like it because it is not the books for them. Maybe if you don't like Lord of the Rings, even though you love the films, that isn't a bad thing, try reading something of a different tact...?
Maybe thats why some people like fiction, and others like real life stuff... I don't know. Personally I have a mind that is imaginative, and I could continue to speculate a lot on most questions, and I like fantasy novels, or thrillers that make you think. I really don't get on with biographies (which judging by Waterstones in the UK, are very popular now.) I also don't quite like non fiction stuff, even things about stuff I like in real life!
I don't know, maybe a lot of people try reading what other people read, and don't like it because it is not the books for them. Maybe if you don't like Lord of the Rings, even though you love the films, that isn't a bad thing, try reading something of a different tact...?
mabye its being forced to read books they dont like (as you said)
and if you dont like the book your reading it really does become a chore, and mabye youre less likley to seek out boosk that interest you
get the kids to read some stephen king..they'll love that shit!
and if you dont like the book your reading it really does become a chore, and mabye youre less likley to seek out boosk that interest you
get the kids to read some stephen king..they'll love that shit!
I love reading. I've read all of A Song of Ice and Fire since christmas. Before that, since August 2010 I read about a dozen or more 40k omnibuses and the entire Horus Heresy series. I've read the Dark Tower and LotRs twice. I read a lot is what I'm saying.
But by god, some of the shit they make you read in school is fucking painful. First we have the obvious Shakespeare (I remember Othello and Twelfth Night), both of which have some of the twistier plots and might have been interesting if not for 2 things; 1) We had to stop every third line so the teacher could explain what the hell was going on, which leads directly into 2) They're written in an archaic form that is extremely hard to follow for a lot of people, especially teenagers. I say this as a guy who likes to read, and reads pretty well, but even I struggled, so I have no idea how everyone else fared, but either way, when you have to keep stopping and starting to explain what the hell it is you're reading, it makes enjoying it almost impossible.
Then we have the other "classics" they teach in school, of which my most prominent memory is Jekyll and Hyde, which has got to be the most boring and ill paced piece of crap I've ever been forced to sit through. Again it's old and written in overly long winded format (not to Shakespeares level) but even if it wasn't it's still just so boring. Nothing happens for like 2/3 of the way through, everything that does happen is implied and when it gets around to revealing anything it's not even interesting, leaving the conclusion boring as well. If I never see that book again I can die happy.
And then we have the poetry. Oh ye gods the poetry. We had to sit there analysing this shit and figuring out all these hidden layers of meaning that all these pieces are supposed to represent (some of which I think the teacher just made up, frankly). My mind has never experianced such dullness.
So yeah, if kids aren't already into reading during school, then the schools themselves will probably put them right off it, judging by the crap they made us sit through.
The sad part is I sit eating my lunch in college these days, always with a book on the table in front of me, and you'd be amazed how many people give you odd looks, or ask stupid questions like "how you can sit there reading all that?" Some of them are even the adults.
But by god, some of the shit they make you read in school is fucking painful. First we have the obvious Shakespeare (I remember Othello and Twelfth Night), both of which have some of the twistier plots and might have been interesting if not for 2 things; 1) We had to stop every third line so the teacher could explain what the hell was going on, which leads directly into 2) They're written in an archaic form that is extremely hard to follow for a lot of people, especially teenagers. I say this as a guy who likes to read, and reads pretty well, but even I struggled, so I have no idea how everyone else fared, but either way, when you have to keep stopping and starting to explain what the hell it is you're reading, it makes enjoying it almost impossible.
Then we have the other "classics" they teach in school, of which my most prominent memory is Jekyll and Hyde, which has got to be the most boring and ill paced piece of crap I've ever been forced to sit through. Again it's old and written in overly long winded format (not to Shakespeares level) but even if it wasn't it's still just so boring. Nothing happens for like 2/3 of the way through, everything that does happen is implied and when it gets around to revealing anything it's not even interesting, leaving the conclusion boring as well. If I never see that book again I can die happy.
And then we have the poetry. Oh ye gods the poetry. We had to sit there analysing this shit and figuring out all these hidden layers of meaning that all these pieces are supposed to represent (some of which I think the teacher just made up, frankly). My mind has never experianced such dullness.
So yeah, if kids aren't already into reading during school, then the schools themselves will probably put them right off it, judging by the crap they made us sit through.
The sad part is I sit eating my lunch in college these days, always with a book on the table in front of me, and you'd be amazed how many people give you odd looks, or ask stupid questions like "how you can sit there reading all that?" Some of them are even the adults.
"Books are fatal: they are the curse of the human race. Nine- tenths of existing books are nonsense, and the clever books are the refutation of that nonsense. The greatest misfortune that ever befell man was the invention of printing."
-Benjamin motherfucking Disraeli
-Benjamin motherfucking Disraeli
I remember when I was a kid a teacher had ask why you like or not like to read, and one student had said that he didn't like reading because he could just watch it on tv. I kind of wish I could back in time and tell the kid how much better the books are compared to the show version.
The book that really got me into reading was Eragon, one of the few books I have read more then once. It was kind of fun reading it because my mom and I would fight about who got to read the book next and hide it from each other.
The book that really got me into reading was Eragon, one of the few books I have read more then once. It was kind of fun reading it because my mom and I would fight about who got to read the book next and hide it from each other.
During highschool I was always forced to read books I had no interest in, and thus I had a hard time enjoying those specific novels. However, prior to highschool I was a big reader - which is actually funny considering in elementary I had a tutor because I couldn't read well at all. Anyway, during highschool I easily found myself juggling 2-3 books at a time on top of the required reading simply because I enjoyed reading on my own time.
Anyway, I'd be inclined to agree with you; I can definitely understand a growing resentment for reading simply because it's something you're forced to do. Take my brother for example. He's now in highschool, and prior to that you couldn't get him to touch a novel to save his life. Books on war or National Geographic magazines he was all over, but he'd never read an actual story as a means of escapism/enjoyment. During his first year of highschool however, the teacher put out some required reading - Darren Shan I think the author is - I'm not sure what the books are about exactly, but my brother LOVED them. After he passed the class my mother had to go out and buy him every book in the series because he loved them so much, and so did his other male friends who are usually all about videogames or sports, and had no interest in reading what-so-ever prior to that.
So I really think anyone could enjoy reading, they just need to find that one book that really grabs their attention.
Anyway, I'd be inclined to agree with you; I can definitely understand a growing resentment for reading simply because it's something you're forced to do. Take my brother for example. He's now in highschool, and prior to that you couldn't get him to touch a novel to save his life. Books on war or National Geographic magazines he was all over, but he'd never read an actual story as a means of escapism/enjoyment. During his first year of highschool however, the teacher put out some required reading - Darren Shan I think the author is - I'm not sure what the books are about exactly, but my brother LOVED them. After he passed the class my mother had to go out and buy him every book in the series because he loved them so much, and so did his other male friends who are usually all about videogames or sports, and had no interest in reading what-so-ever prior to that.
So I really think anyone could enjoy reading, they just need to find that one book that really grabs their attention.
Certain kids hate reading because there are far too few explosions.
As for how I got started reading - when I was a tiny tot, my parents read me books. According to my parents, I loved it and tried to learn to read as fast as I could. I've been doing so ever since.
As for how I got started reading - when I was a tiny tot, my parents read me books. According to my parents, I loved it and tried to learn to read as fast as I could. I've been doing so ever since.
I dont know, probably cause its not cool to read anymore. People have gotten more and more used to talking about TV and Games and if there is a book its more like a joke book or something celebrity endorsed.
at least thats what I think.
at least thats what I think.
Ding! This is pretty much me. I can see why kids might not like reading the great books, since their being forced on them, but they're great for a reason, so we better make 'em read 'em. I read Shakespeare, Orwell, Dickens, Steinbeck, Wilde, Shaw, and Asimov on my own perogative, have since early in Secondary. Plus, I get perspective on books I wouldn't normally read even under those circumstances that come up in class; my love of dystopian fiction helped me understand and love M. T. Anderson's "Feed". It's worth it. It's out of love for the literature and the students that these books are on curiculums.the rye said:
Competition. 60 years ago, it was books, playing outside, or social activities. If you weren't much of a socialite, you read books, and that was really it aside from the occasional movie or carnival or something. Now kids have dozens of entertainment options, so books aren't as attractive as they used to be. Some may see this as detrimental, but all I see is progress. Old media fades out, new media comes in.
IT. FUCKING. SUCKED. That book makes no fucking sense and doesn't deserve to occupy a place in my toilet let alone my bookshelf. Different people will have different opinions on books, even ones that other people tell them are "great."
I've read some classics in my life, mostly as school assignments, and I liked some, hated some, and was indifferent on others. I agree that having kids read these books for education is important, but they should do so to study and analyze them, not because us "adults" think it will enrich their minds, because that's just not true.
Also, Tale of Two Cities? Most boring book I've ever read. When a book makes a story about people getting their heads lopped off boring, it's pretty much a failure in my eyes.
Lord of the Flies is considered a classic novel, and I had to read it in high school as an assignment.Lear said:
IT. FUCKING. SUCKED. That book makes no fucking sense and doesn't deserve to occupy a place in my toilet let alone my bookshelf. Different people will have different opinions on books, even ones that other people tell them are "great."
I've read some classics in my life, mostly as school assignments, and I liked some, hated some, and was indifferent on others. I agree that having kids read these books for education is important, but they should do so to study and analyze them, not because us "adults" think it will enrich their minds, because that's just not true.
Also, Tale of Two Cities? Most boring book I've ever read. When a book makes a story about people getting their heads lopped off boring, it's pretty much a failure in my eyes.
Some kids are just allergic to intelligence.
Case in point:
I think also a lot of kids these days just don't like to use their imagination when there is a hundred things on TV that is far more exciting and flashy to view than some words on a page.
Case in point:
I think also a lot of kids these days just don't like to use their imagination when there is a hundred things on TV that is far more exciting and flashy to view than some words on a page.
That was beautiful. Listening to their screams of pain as they were "educated" was hilarious.Signa said:
Here's the truth: no one hates reading. It's just another form of storytelling. Just like no one hates movies or music or anything like that. The trick is finding the right book, just like the trick is finding the right movie, or the right music genre.
Further, do you wanna know how I know? Because I HATED reading. With a passion that I have never felt for anything since. All it took was finding the right book and now I read more than just about anyone. I've read every book with a story I liked that I could get my hands on since the seventh grade when a teacher assigned Hatchet, by Gary Paulson.
Once you find a book with a story you're interested in, you realize that reading a book is a lot like watching a movie. You've got your chick flicks and your romance novels. You've got your action packed man movies, and you've got your spy novels. It's just another way to get a story, it's the story that makes it interesting or not, the wrapping paper isn't that important.
Further, do you wanna know how I know? Because I HATED reading. With a passion that I have never felt for anything since. All it took was finding the right book and now I read more than just about anyone. I've read every book with a story I liked that I could get my hands on since the seventh grade when a teacher assigned Hatchet, by Gary Paulson.
Once you find a book with a story you're interested in, you realize that reading a book is a lot like watching a movie. You've got your chick flicks and your romance novels. You've got your action packed man movies, and you've got your spy novels. It's just another way to get a story, it's the story that makes it interesting or not, the wrapping paper isn't that important.