New Books for Schools!

It was heartwarming on Twitter this week as the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation announced the schools to which it would be granting money.  Educators at schools in need of resources apply; some schools win.  It must be so exciting at those schools to hear the good news and the money must make such a difference.  I can picture beautiful new school library books where before there had been tattered, dirty old ones.  New books are so much more inviting.  Reading would be so much more inviting.  This is a wonderful initiative of Indigo Books.

The only concern I have with this program is that it's necessary.  Why are there needy schools?  I don't believe that the socioeconomic status of families should make any difference to the resources of a school.  I don't think that school councils should have to raise money or that foundations should have to give out funding.  I passionately believe that every student should be on a level playing field at school and have an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams.  It is governments that finance education - I think it is the responsibility of government to ensure funding is adequate.  Is education not a high priority?

That's about all I have to say.  I am very excited about the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation.  Just not about the work it has to do.

JAHD

Books, Books, More Books

I was in a bookstore today and I enjoyed my time there very much.  It seemed at that point that I was fuelled by enthusiasm and not excess caffeine.  The excess caffeine came later.  Anyways, I walked around and found several books that I may want to read.  I felt hungry for them.  It was exciting.

I love books and reading and bookstores and today I wondered exactly what that means.  Sure, some people would probably just enjoy the experience, maybe buy a book or two and leave.  Not me.  But the question that I ask when someone loves books is "What is it that we really love?"  It's not that I love only one kind of book - I like fiction, memoirs, local history, writing and other genres.  Is there a common thread?  Is it the visual element of books, or is it words, knowledge, escape, learning?  Maybe different books offer us different thrills.  (Am I a total geek if I find books thrilling?  Hmm.)  But it still seems strange to me that if something is in book form (and e-books are fine with me too), I feel it has something to offer.

I suspose it's not really worth questioning this love.  It's one I share with many other people and since reading is a hobby that's not dangerous to others or self-destructive, I should enjoy it and stop thinking so much.  I'm so glad there are books, book reviews and bookstores.  Now if I could just finish reading the many books I have on the go, I might let myself buy a new book or two.  Here's to being immersed in books and loving it!

JAHD