Reading Habits Observation

2/7/14
Josh McRae
Enjoyment to Understanding
When I was younger, there was only one use for my books. This was to help me escape
in a world of fantastical stories and understand other worlds, worlds that could be even more
grandiose and complex than my imagination could create by itself. I think most people start out
this way when they are young. Childrens books never take the form of an encyclopedia or
dictionary; they illustrate stories whipped up in an authors frenzied, overactive, and self-
propelled imagination. We are trained to develop layers upon layers of fantasy in our
imaginations. It takes discipline and purpose to lose yourself in a world that could only exist in
your mind! Luckily for me, books helped me achieve this when I was younger. With the
passing of time, literature becomes less individual since discussion and interpretation with others
expands the usefulness of books. This spiderweb effect paints a rich spectrum of uses for books,
so it is important to appreciate both the beginnings of how we read and the current state of how
we use reading.
While a looming bookshelf on one wall faces two separate smaller bookcases about
twenty feet away, several stacks of paperbacks and magazines balance precariously on the
hardwood floor. The family room at my home is definitely an environment built for reading.
While I have spent many hours reading there, it is quite difficult to observe oneself without a
large mirror. There is no mirror in that room. As a result, I was resigned to watching my father
read (which can be quite entertaining depending on the time of day). This example shows the
earliest form of reading that was a part of all of our lives: personal, private, secluded, and located
somewhere in an imaginary world. My dad loves to read (mostly Louis Lamour and Randy
Wayne White) and will continue to do so until he falls asleep sitting up. His attempts to stay
awake amuse my sister and me to no end. Careful not to laugh out loud and risk disturbing the
process unfolding before our eyes, we will poke each other to draw attention to the downfall of
the reader. Eyelids droop, chin drops, hands relax, and drowsiness finally takes its toll when my
dad falls asleep. However, any noise loud enough to wake him also starts the whole cycle over
again when he realizes he is holding a book. After his long days of work, he deserves some time
to explore a world of cowboys if thats what he wants. My dad is an intelligent man. Since
those kinds of people usually have more active imaginations than the average, perhaps this is
why he enjoys reading alone so much.
On the flip side, many of us have developed more recent uses for reading. After opening
our minds to the wonderful world of books, school also taught us to analyze, discuss, and really
think about different forms of literature. What does the poet mean when she says that? What
does this character represent? Do you have to round this number up first? Did Napoleon enjoy
his winter in Russia? These questions are asked over and over again in middle and high schools
across the country (and world), teaching us to rely on and help others to better understand what
was just read. Once students graduate from high school and are no longer forced to analyze
themes like the symbolism of Tess of the DUrbervilless execution, a sort of independent social
reading occurs. Where better to come across this peculiar behavior than in a universitys
Starbucks?
The coffee shop on the University of Cincinnatis Main Street has a second floor replete
with tables and comfortable chairs. The setting is additionally complemented with warm
paintings and a view of the largest green space on campus. Students flock to this oasis
(especially in wintertime) to meet their peers and, more often than not, tackle some schoolwork
together. While the required solitary student studier is occasionally perched in the corner, most
of the people there are looking to meet with someone and discuss academia. I was privy to many
different topics, including biology homework, planning volunteer hours, how boring a particular
required history class is, critiquing peers drawings, etc. All of these conversation threads had
something in common: reading! The biology homework consisted of a couple girls (probably
freshmen) meeting from their different dorms to help each other understand the textbook
material and questions for the next class. A small group of boys and girls used their laptops to
peruse volunteer opportunities on UCs website. Two boys struggled through an essay
assignment for their allegedly mind-numbing class on European history; they were there the
longest of all the people I observed. The final two people were obviously DAAP students who
were probably the most knowledgeable about the coffee being sold a floor below. Different
terms about their drawings were being exchanged, but spatial perspective seemed to be the
biggest problem they were having. All of them had a cup of Starbucks, but why wouldnt you if
its this cold out? This academic setting was thoughtfully created by Starbucks and definitely
helps bolster their sales. Social reading pervaded the second floor, and I was there to creepily
observe it all.
School first showed us how wonderful books could be, and then taught us how useful it is
to include others in our literary life. Independent reading evolves into social discussion, but that
doesnt mean it goes away. My dad is proof that we can all still enjoy a foray into a fictional
world of danger, adventure, and intrigue. At the same time, you shouldnt discount the value of
social reading. A mix of both is the ideal balance. But sometimes I wonder if an author intended
on including a hidden meaning, or was just trying to tell a good story.