Smell the Pages 
~ by James Banzer

   What a shame it is that many people don't read these days. Reading tops the list for acquiring knowledge and expanding horizons. Yet far too many would rather opt for reality television shows, or other brain-dead activity.

   The primary key to interest in reading is exposure to books, magazines and newspapers at an early age. 

   Without question, parents who read to their young children are more likely to have offspring who are enthralled with reading.

   Moms and dads, expose your children to the print world. Take them to your local library. Let them explore areas of interest. Read to them, even if it's only the Sunday comics. There is no guarantee that they will become great readers, but it's only fair to give them the chance.

   Childhood memories come back of the bookmobile which regularly visited our neighborhood a half century ago. 
   
   What kid, when made aware that it was there, would pass up the opportunity to visit the bookmobile?

   Later, a library was established several blocks away.

   That was where this writer found The Hardy Boys stories. That wasn't all. For some reason, biographies and works about history became a special interest. At about the same time, an interest developed in the morning newspaper that was thrown on the doorstep.

   A few houses away, grandmother had a large bookcase stacked with classic literature. She was willing to part with any of the books that interested me. A whole world beyond that on Jeanette Avenue in Wichita was opening up.

   The fact is that without early accessibility to reading material, that world may have never been found. It must start at an early age for maximum benefit.

   Fast forward to all these decades later. How lucky we are today! The world of printed material is growing at the speed of light. Everywhere one turns, there are book stores large and small, as well as book sections within other stores. There are used book stores, and garage and yard sales where discarded books are offered at a pittance. And of course there's always that nearby library.

   If those choices are not enough, check out the Internet. A universe of free reading material is available. If the book is 75-years-old or more, and if it is good reading, there's a decent chance you'll find it at the Project Gutenberg website. Check out www.gutenberg.org. 

   The Internet also gives an opportunity to link instantly to newspapers and magazines virtually anywhere. These links were not there a few years ago.
Seeing a newspaper from a far away city was a rarity. To repeat, how lucky we are today!

   Reading is fun. It's a lot more entertaining than most of what is to be found on television, the American couch potato pastime of choice. Reading tests the mind and allows imagination to fill the brain with pictures conjured up by the written word.

   For readers who are looking for new material, here's an idea. You will find interesting reading ideas relating to a wide variety of topics by checking out C-SPAN 2 on the weekends. That non-commercial network has Book TV, consisting of speeches, lectures and interviews involving authors of note. Primarily, the topics relate to history, current events and politics. Occasionally, a fiction book is featured.

   Reading opportunities abound. Those who don't read have no excuse in this day and age. At one time, ready access to materials was not quite so available. That day is long gone. So, if you haven't done it lately, search out some form of reading material. Smell the pages, and start reading!

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After a long career in broadcast news, James Banzer is now writing on his observations about the world around us. He currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky. You may send him e-mail at jamesbanzer@yahoo.com.

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