Hello, Pat! And thank you so much for joining us today. I imagine most people who know you know you're a passionate reader, but what prompted you to write a book about reading?
I am so concerned about the reading habits of the American public that this is a book I just had to write. The average man, upon finishing high school, will not read another book the rest of his life. Only five percent of the American public will set foot in a bookstore in their lifetime. A few years ago the Wall Street Journal reported that 59 percent of the homes in America did not have one book in them--not even a cookbook or a Bible. Just recently I heard pastor and author Rick Warren say that half of the world is illiterate. That information shook me up. But what really told me we needed to write this book was a 2004 article in Newsweek based on a study released that year by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). According to the article, reading in America is seriously on the decline as people--especially our young people--turn more and more to electronic forms of entertainment and communication. This is a dangerous trend, and I believe we've got to turn it around.
Weren't you afraid that people who don't like to read would not be interested in a book about reading?
When I first proposed this to the publisher, the response was, "Who's going to buy this book? People who already read won't buy it, and people who don't read won't buy it, either." However, all of us know we should be reading, and this book is designed to spur people on in this important activity.
Who did you really write this book for?
I wrote this book for people from age eight to eight-eight. I wrote it for mothers and fathers and grandparents. I wrote it for grade shool students, high school students, and college students. I wrote this book for pastors, business executives, coaches, teachers, and political figures. All of us need to be reading, and I hope this book will help people see that need for themselves.
Do you really think reading is in danger? If so, what can the average person do about it?
I am very concerned that we have become a non-reading society. We have become a society of movie screens, television screens, computer screens, and video games. That does not do much to stimulate brain cells. Parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, business leaders, pastors, political leaders--we all need to set the example and challenge young people to make reading a part of their life.
Most people would probably find it rare for a man whose life is centered around professional sports to be so passionate about reading. I mean, jocks and books are not usually coupled. Yet you love to read. What has been your experience with others in the sports world?
There are some readers out there--I wish there were more. NBA players Grant Hill, Chris Webber, and Ray Allen are all big readers and shared their stories with me. I am very encouraged by the NBA's Read to Achieve program. Commissioner David Stern is very passionate about the NBA leading the way in improving the reading habits of our young people.
What can you say to encourage people who know they should read more, but think their lives are just too busy for books?
Always have a book with you--in your car, at the doctor's office, waiting to pick your kids up from school. People will be amazed at how many bites of time they have for books throughout the course of a day. Don't waste those intervals. Those are your reading times. Keep in mind, if you read an hour a day, at the end of the week you will have finished a book. Over the course of a year, that is fifty-two books. In ten years, it is 520 books. It is all very doable.
We live in an era of electronic communication, where e-mail and the Internet have taken over our lives in just a few short years. Are you worried that actual, physical books will one day disappear?
I pray that they won't. There is nothing better than holding a real book in your hands with a good marking pen. I love the look, the smell, and the feel of a real book in my hand. And I believe most people share that love and that brick-and-mortar bookstores are here to stay for a long time. And what is more portable than a book? They really are very cutting-edge.
Peg, as Pat's writing partner, what have you got to say for yourself? How did you come to write this book with Pat?
I met Pat several years ago when he was researching the Disney book. I'd worked for Disney many years as an employee publications and communications specialist, so I had contacts who could help, plus a large library of books about Walt. It turned out to be a natural partnership, and it was how I learned about the world of collaborative writing. When Pat gave me the opportunity to work on this book with him, what else could I say but, "When do we start?" It's been a totally rewarding experience for a reading writer like me.
How can people get in touch with the two of you?
Pat: You can visit my website at www.PatWilliamsMotivate.com or email me at pwilliams@orlandomagic.com.
Peg: You can reach me at proseunltd@cox.net or visit my site at www.proseunltd.com.
