14 Jan 2010

NOT YOUR AVERAGE BOOK CLUB.

Funny how you sometimes start researching a post and it becomes a completely different one to the one you had intended. I had thought to do today's post on an article sent to me by a friend on how a group of mental health service users in Merseyside, Liverpool were involved in a scheme called Get Into Reading, an inspiring outreach programme run by THE READER ORGANISATION, a charity dedicated to nothing less than bringing about a reading revolution when I came across this article about the use of books within the prison service.

Prison Reading Champions is a scheme designed to engage both prisoners and prison staff alike in reading, giving them the opportunity to get involved with, and receive recognition from, a national scheme. (Click HERE to read more.)

No bad thing when you consider that low achievement in school can lead to many things including crime. Not that I'm making excuses but, according to Youth Justice Board which oversees the justice system for the under-21's, excluded school pupils are almost three times more likely to commit crimes than their peers who are in school with over half the people on a Detention And Training Order having literacy and numeracy levels below that expected of an 11-year-old, although their average age is 17.

Now I don't particularly want to get into the whole argument of crime and punishment but I'm sure that most of you will agree that the above statistics are rather appalling and that the Prison Reading Champions must be a step in the right direction.

And talking of books and posts that became other than intended ..........

Once again, whilst looking for another article I came across this Digested Read, a series in the Guardian whereby books are presented in, well, their digested forms which you might consider avoiding if you haven't already read the book concerned.


A DIGESTED READ OF DAN BROWN'S THE LOST SYMBOL by John Crace.

17 comments:

Kissed by an Angel said...

I love reading and have always encouraged my kids to do the same!! It's nice to hear about schemes to help others who maybe- have not had the same opportunities!! I loved the Alan Bennett book you reviewed a couple of weeks ago - The Uncommon Reader!! I took it into hospital with me!! Very amusing and entertaining!! Thank you!!
xxxx

Kate said...

I love reading too. I always think it is such a great way to relax and get away from some of the day to day crap.

Kate xx
http://secretofficeconfessions.blogspot.com

NabilaHazirah said...

I love bookclubs. I think its really good to share your opinions thoughts about books you've read. Plus you also get to hear what other people thought about it to.

Reading is my fave thing to do! My grades for English went up because of that! :)

Nina said...

I never joined a bookclub, there isn't just any here in the neighboorhood. Maybe I should start one. :) MMMMMM....

Reading is like the most people a escape from the real crazy world and ofcourse for lots of new facts and information about a subject. :)
Well for me that's the reason why I read.

UberGrumpy said...

What a great scheme.

I suspect, PW, that you are a pretty awesome person on the quiet

Dorte H said...

I also love reading, and I think reading & education is a great way to keep people out of prisons. I am not making excuses either, but it is clear that once they have been to prison, it is very difficult for them to go back to their own environment and get a proper job.

susan s. said...

Love the digested Dan Brown article! Brown writes everything as if it were going to be made into a movie. He should write for the reader first. I'm sure he sees the short CIA woman being played by Linda Hunt.

As Simon Cowell would say "If I'm being honest," I don't really like Brown at all.

Anonymous said...

Love the digested read! Very funny.

Aine
http://theevolvingspirit.blogspot.com

Myne said...

I loved that article, not read the book and now I basically can talk about it. Tis cheating I know...lol..

Kelly said...

Any program that encourages people to read is a good thing in my opinion!

I'm sorry for folks that don't enjoy reading. They're missing out on so much.

Alexia561 said...

Interesting post! I agree that reading is important, and that programs like Prison Reading Champions are important. You manage to find the most interesting articles! :)

Pearl said...

1. My blog posts ALWAYS start out one way and end another.

2. Worthy organization. Literacy is key to so many pursuits.

Pearl

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

I have been talking book club a lot on my blog recently so funny to come over here and find the topic.... book club. It sounds like a good program to me!

Sandra Wilkes said...

I think if every one of those prisoners had become a GOOD reader before third grade, maybe, their chances of being in jail would ever so much less. Oh well, it will still help them to read in jail. They "need" to read everyday though. :) Sorry I'm getting carried away. I used to be a teacher...Right now I am reading fluff, just for fun, The Friday Night Knitting Club.

TirzahLaughs said...

Schools don't seem to value the love of books any longer. It's the test, the test, the test. But if you can get someone to love a book, one book, that love will last their whole lives through.

So read, read, read...anything and everything.

Tirz

Tracie said...

What a great program. Reading is one of my favorite things to do.

Betty Manousos said...

Love reading , it relaxes me enough.
hugs