tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-673292741548654542.post4446987317316414192..comments2023-08-23T15:55:08.218+01:00Comments on BOOKWORDS: NEWSFLASH It's fiction - we make it up!Linda Strachanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04354324158228109351noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-673292741548654542.post-81786578229354133302010-02-17T14:16:09.945+00:002010-02-17T14:16:09.945+00:00Hi Lucy
Thanks for dropping by!
Unfortunately it...Hi Lucy<br />Thanks for dropping by! <br />Unfortunately it is the young men and boys we need to reach, but the most difficult because peer pressure is so much what dictates their actions, often with disastrous consequences. <br /><br />It is one reason why the cover of a book is so important. If they are reluctant to be seen carrying a book at least if the cover is considered 'cool' they might just be persuaded to venture inside.<br /><br />There are no easy answers but generating enthusiasm for books while they are at school is so important and why I was so delighted by the Red Awards day. (see previous post)Linda Strachanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04354324158228109351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-673292741548654542.post-90740531595094567942010-02-17T09:22:06.624+00:002010-02-17T09:22:06.624+00:00Food for thought here, Linda. I can see I shall h...Food for thought here, Linda. I can see I shall have to catch up with that SF/Fantasy discussion whereof you speak (so much to do, so much I've missed!). The trouble is, real or not, gritty realism fiction or otherworld fantasy, reading is not seen as 'cool' among a certain too-large section of young males. I was reading an article yesterday about homosexuality in sport--and how it is really hard for men to come out while they are competing. The saddest thing for me is that the basketball player who wrote the article said that it was seen as 'gay' to read, or use any word with more than three syllables. These sportsmen--footballers or whoever--are role models for our youth (especially for the age group of your young offenders). If reading is 'gay' to the sporting heroes, then that will feed across. I find that incredibly sad--and though the work you are doing is fantastic, I fear it is a drop in the ocean. There's a whole Atlantic to swim here, before attitudes change.<br /><br />Lucy at http://www.scribblecitycentral.blogspot.comLucy Coatshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16774389681477698245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-673292741548654542.post-10120404599123166672010-02-16T22:12:34.611+00:002010-02-16T22:12:34.611+00:00Hi Cat
Yes, some people just don't want to kno...Hi Cat<br />Yes, some people just don't want to know and are not prepared to try it.<br /><br />Julie - <br />I was invited to visit the young offenders to speak to their book group. The group leader thought they would be interested because the book was about joyriding and they might relate to it. <br /><br />They were fascinating to talk to and seemed to be willing to engage in conversation but I found it very sobering to see how protective they were of themselves - and not willing (a sense that it would be dangerous) to lose face among their peers. It was a feeling of being wary all the time. Not an environment for the timid-hearted.<br /><br />I agree that allowing oneself to escape into another place through books can be creative and stretch us, broadening our horizons. One reason why it was sad to see these young men were so reluctant or unable to let that happen.Linda Strachanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04354324158228109351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-673292741548654542.post-1909106860820383902010-02-16T14:35:16.241+00:002010-02-16T14:35:16.241+00:00It's about escapism, Linda, isn't it? Read...It's about escapism, Linda, isn't it? Reading something that you know is not real can be a real comfort - you can live the life of the character through their eyes, experience lives that you wouldn't normally see.<br /><br />It can lift you out of yourself and feel empathy for others in situations far out of your own frame of reference. I think it's important to read fiction as it's allows us to stretch our imagination and be creative - something some people never do and that's a shame.<br /><br />I'm glad it sparked such an interesting and diverse debate amongst your young offenders. How did you get involved in that?It's fascinating.<br /><br />Julie xxJulie Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06546678603569056691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-673292741548654542.post-63791873341551810652010-02-16T01:05:08.331+00:002010-02-16T01:05:08.331+00:00Oh this is so apt - not two minutes ago someone wa...Oh this is so apt - not two minutes ago someone walked out the door saying, "I haven't read that sort of book since I left school. Why would I waste my time reading about something which is not real?" (He has little imagination - and little sense of humour. It is really rather sad.)catdownunderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06959328192182156574noreply@blogger.com