Over the festive season I fell into conversation with a lady. The conversation ranged far and wide and at one juncture touched on the subject of books. My partner at the dinner table remarked that she had only read 2 books, (I don’t recollect the title of both works but one of the books was “Flowers in the Attic”). My companion went on to ask me for recommendations regarding what she should read. I responded that literary tastes are highly personal matters (I return to Wuthering Heights again and again because it is, in my view a wonderful work of fiction while others find nothing of merit in it). I went on to describe how I’d enjoyed reading Kevin Cooper’s thriller Meido and recommended his book to my companion. At one point during the conversation another of those present said that “it isn’t like that round here” by which she meant that people don’t read books in this area.
The above conversation took place in a fairly typical suburb of Liverpool. I don’t like using the term but for want of anything better the area is “working class” comprised of (mainly) owner occupied houses inhabited by people engaged in occupations ranging from barmaids and cleaners to those employed in clerical work.
The implication that people living in a given area do not read books is, of course a sweeping generalisation. My grandfather who had never gone on to higher education and lived in a council house throughout his life spent many hours reading to me. I well recall the glass bookcase which stood in the spare bedroom chock full of books ranging from Enid Blyton’s Famous Five to works of poetry. It is, I believe largely due to my grandfather who was “working class” (oh how I hate to use that term as people are, at bottom individuals not social groups), that I gained my love of literature and went onto university to read history and politics.
Sadly there is among certain people a lack of aspiration which is exemplified by the view that people round here don’t read. This can, if we fail to take care become a self fulfilling prophecy (I.E. many homes contain few, if any books but are replete with wide screen televisions to which parents consign their children rather than spending precious time reading to them). A house full of books won’t guarantee happiness but it will assist in producing rounded individuals with a love of literature and a broad perspective on the world.
There are, fortunately organisations working to promote education among all people. Perhaps the most notable of these is The Workers’ Education Association which has, since 1903 been striving to uplift the aspirations, through education of all segments of society with particular emphasis on those of (that term again) “the working class”). All power to their elbo. For information on the WEA please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workers%27_Educational_Association.
K Morris - Poet 
My family was ‘working class’ and although didn’t have much, there were always books available and I was introduced to the local Library at a young age – Mum always said, “If you can read, you can learn. If you learn, you can improve yourself and get richer than we are now.” 😀
Yes, there are many working class families who want their children to get on and, just as importantly to learn about books for the sheer pleasure reading will afford them. Many thanks for your comment. Kevin
I think with parents being so busy working and library’s closing it’s getting worse. But once a parent interests a kid or teenager it tends to stick and be something they can return to later. I came from a rough area but we all read books because luckily, our school had a big up-to-date library of sci-fi/fantasy novels and teen fiction.
Its good to hear that your school had a well stocked library that you where able to take full advantage of. I think a problem which has arisen since the introduction of the internet is the addiction of some to the online world. Rather than sitting down and concentrating on a good book the internet can encourage us to flick from web page to web page without ever pausing to truly digest what we are reading. However the same worries where expressed when television was introduced and books survived.
True, my attention span is crap for that reason. Still, there’s kindles and a book shelf on the iPhone and blogs of course!
Sometimes I am nostalgic for my school days when I could bury myself in the library without the possibility of my mobile ringing or the distraction of the internet intervening to take me away from my books. I do feel we have (or are in danger) of loosing something precious. Maybe I am turning into an old fuddy duddy (answers please on a postcard)!
Nah!
Definitely a sweeping statement by that person Kevin. There will always be people who don’t read and some are quite proud of it, I don’t know why. Born into a, for want of a better term, lower class existence I started reading at 4 and a half and never looked back. I love reading and of course it widens your horizons. It also inspires you to do better. Great post Mate.
Laurie.
Cheers for your comment Laurie. I agree, it is odd that there are people out there who are proud of just how few books they have read in their lives. All the best, Kevin
Always welcome Kevin.
I remember a few years ago having an hour between trains at Middlesborough, and deciding to check out the city centre. Encountering a poilceman, I asked if there was a second-hand bookshop anywhere – “No,” came the reply. “It’s a pity though,” he added in a melancholy tone, “I used to like reading…”
Your comment brought a wry smile to my face. Thanks for that! Kevin