Oh, Thank God

Did anyone else feel very shaken about that poll that was all over the news a couple of weeks ago stating that one in four people didn't read any books last year? I tried to be grateful that I'm a children's writer because at least kids are forced to read by their teachers. Nonetheless, for those of us who hope to continue publishing what we write, all the doom and gloom these past few years over the lack of interest in what we do can be depressing. I mean, seriously, if I didn't spend so much time pumping up my serotonin levels with aerobics tapes and my treadmill, I'd probably be too down to write at all.

Fear not. Thanks to Bookslut, I found this spin on the numbers at the Written Nerd. The most calming part? "The NEA survey" (that's the one that got us all upset a few years ago) "states that 56% of Americans read any book in 2002...The AP/Ipsos survey say that 73% of Americans read any book last year." (Because if 1 in 4 people aren't reading any book, 3 in 4 people are.) "Therefore, if these two respected organizations are to be believed...AMERICANS READ MORE LAST YEAR THAN THEY READ FIVE YEARS AGO."

The Written Nerd can do math as well as sell books.

I don't know about anyone else, but I'll be sleeping easier tonight.