WHY I READ AND WHAT I LIKE TO READ

By Steve Mosley

Though I would rather read the Southeast Missourian's Speak Out comments, letters to the editor, columns by staffers and editorial opinions of the Southeast Missourian, I also read books. However, as someone has said, I avoid all books whose covers are too far apart.

One of my favorite books is "The 2,548 best things anybody ever said," chosen and arranged by Robert Byrne. In addition, I have highlighted quotes I like and committed many to memory. The one I consider most relevant to me is Winston Churchill's observation that, "It is a good thing for an uneducated man to read books of quotations."

This summer I have read a lot of books about genes and the degree to which they influence our behavior. The nature versus nurture controversy seems to be swinging back in the direction of scientific support for the view that our genes predispose us to behave in certain ways, for more than we may have ever thought. I don't have a clue what that last sentence means. I copied it from the cover of one of the books because it must be important.

The reason I have read several books on the subject of genetics is beyond human understanding. I think it may have been in part because I was trying to gather ammunition for my ongoing verbal battle with my wife. Though the books don't say that our genes make us act in ways over which we have absolutely no control (the so-called "biology is destiny" argument), I (shh!) tell my wife that that's the case when she tries to get me to do something I don't want to do; i.e., get out of bed.

I have attempted to dazzle her with a lot of fancy words from the books even though I'm not sure what they mean. The gist of my genetic justification for remaining inert when asked to do needless chores is Popeye's line, "I am what I am." The fact that it doesn't work and that I still, moaning and groaning, carry brown grocery bags filled with tons of TV dinners, frozen pizzas, microwave popcorn and so on doesn't mean I am doomed to forever fail. I will never give up my quest to weasel out of useless household chores. That's my motto!

Some of the books I have read this summer include "Living with out genes," "Twins," "A history of psychiatry," "Searching for Memory," "Tangled Minds" and "Consilience: The unity of knowledge." I have read many others, but the Southeast Missourian is a spoil sport and won't let me have the space to list the titles of 3,000 comic books.

Lest you doubt me, let me assure you that I did read these books. Some might be skeptical because there was a phase in my life during which I would carry around books with fancy, intellectual sounding titles, solely for effect. That was when I was into my "image is everything" mode. I wanted to be seen with these books in hand so as to impress others. I abandoned that juvenile behavior on my 45th birthday.

Now, I actually read the books. Every one of them. And, after completing all of them, I have found an underlying, common theme. All of the above listed books shared in common that they were so far above my head it wasn't even funny.

However, one book stands out. Edward O. Wilson's, "Consilience: The unity of knowledge," was particularly unique. It was the only one where I couldn't even make heads or tails of the title.

I hope you enjoy reading the books I have recommended. If you read and really understand them and tell me about it, I will be impressed to the point that I will unhesitatingly tell you what you should hear. Big deal.

By Edythe M. Davis

James A. Michener has become my favorite and most respected author. His writings have given me hours of pleasure. They have educated and challenged me to explore a world that I may never see in person.

After reading several of his novels that have been written since 1960, I have a keener awareness of world events and their historical significance. When I learned that he chose to live in the areas of the world as he was writing each book and that he had done extensive research I felt I could trust the information that I was reading. Later when I was privileged to journey to some of the areas that he had written about I had a sense of familiarity that enhanced my visit.

While it was sometimes difficult to understand some of the earliest chapters of his books when I came to the end, I knew that I had experienced new vistas and friends. Rereading his books is enlightening because he entwines so many stories that you can discover new meaning each time.

Among my favorites are "Centennial," a story of the settling of the American West; "Chesapeake," the early history of the American East and "Hawaii," the missionary involvement in that great state.

Michener needs to be read, reread, savored, recalled and enjoyed for years.

By Gail Meyer

I read almost daily to my 4-year-old son, Steven, but one book in particular comes to mind. It was about Grover from Sesame Street helping his uncle on the farm while he was away. Grover thought farming would be easy, but he was in for a big surprise. For one thing, Grover did not count on the farm animals not liking the food he fixed them. My son especially liked the part when Grover tried to milk the cow by just holding a glass under her udder. Grover didn't care what side of the cow he was on.

Grover drove the tractor into the chicken coop. The birds ate the seeds he had just planted and the wind and rain made a mess out of everything. Grover was really embarrassed when he spotted the Sesame Street Gang coming down the road.

The Sesame Street Gang went straight to work repairing and planting. Grover learned some valuable lessons on the farm. One is you don't judge a job until you do it and you can always count on your true friends not to judge you, and they are always there for you .

I got this book from the library. they have such good programs. Read to your child, please. It doesn't take more than 10 minutes of your time. Call it quality time, they will love you for it.

By Craig E. Wells, vice president, The Bank of Missouri

My grandmother introduced me to books probably more than anyone. She would start with a trip to the library where we would search for an evening's worth of books. Later after dinner I'd sit on her lap while she read. Her favorite was Dr. Suess. I still have my own copy of "If I Ran the Zoo." It was significant for all her grandchildren, when at her funeral a poem was read from a book from the library. Now I have two sons, that I share the joy of reading with, as we now go to the library together and bring home an evening's worth of books.

By Nancy Jernigan, Executive Director, Area Wide United Way

In this day of hectic schedules and what seems to be an over-involvement of various family members in various activities, one tradition remains in our family, reading bedtime stories. Although our older children, Patrick, 11, and Jeremy, 8, have "graduated" into reading novels and chapter books, respectively, my husband, Jeff, and I still have the pleasure of reading an assortment of wonderful children's books to our 3-year-old, Jeanna. It's impossible to pick any one favorite because there are unique qualities about each one that are to be appreciated, so here is a short list of our favorites, and why:

"Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss -- Dr. Seuss remains a favorite in the mix of children's books because of the rhyming and odd but interesting characters.

The Bernstein Bears series by Stan and Jan Bernstein and the Little Critter series by Mercer Mayer offer morals and stories that focus on situations children might find themselves in, pointing out the more appropriate behavior.

Sometimes the illustrations are as equally enjoyable as the story such as Dinosaur Bob by William Joyce and Grandfather Twilight by Barbara Berger.

Learning the alphabet is great fun as you read "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault.

The really fun books are those that have flaps or insert special surprises on various pages.

Our favorite is "The Jolly Postman" by Janet and Allan Ahlberg, which includes puzzles, games, cards, little books within the book -- it is such fun to read -- but a little pricey.

Our all-time favorite book, so far, is "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. This book has it all, beautiful illustrations and a wonderful story about the magic of Christmas.

The best thing we ever did as new parents was sign up for a book club. Over the years, we have developed the greatest mini-library of children's books. We are never without a great book to read. Not only does it help develop an interest in reading in children at a very young age, but it allows we busy, busy parents some quality time with our children that will be cherished forever.

By Dale F. Nitzschke

When one has spent a lifetime reading newspapers as a primary source of current information, as I have, the question, "why is it important to read the newspaper?" is so unexpected that it requires a bit of thought.

The answer, of course, is that the information contained in newspapers plays a vital role in our personal lives, in the local economy, and in the civic affairs of our community, state and nation. Newspapers inform us about politics, personal triumphs and tragedies, the marketplace, civic progress, education, entertainment, cultural opportunities and many other topics.

Personally, reading a newspaper daily keeps me up to date on what is happening in Cape Girardeau, in the region served by Southeast Missouri State University, and in our state and nation. It tells me what is happening in the lives of my friends, both on and off campus; it helps me make decisions about purchases, investments, needed services and entertainment; and it helps me understand the environment in which the University is a major player.

Beyond those personal reasons, in a democratic society, and in a market economy, the ability to share truthful information widely can make the difference between a community which works and a community which is destined to fail. Thomas Jefferson pointed that out in 1787, when he made it clear that he would prefer a country with newspapers and no government to a country where the reverse were true.

Today's professionally staffed newspapers, unlike those of a hundred years ago, or in Jefferson's time, pride themselves on reporting only factual information on their news pages, and confining opinion and speculation to pages clearly labeled as such, or to the advertising columns. So as members of society, we have no excuse for making poorly informed judgments, or for failing to form our own opinions, about public matters of great importance for the future.

But a newspaper, or any form of mass communication, can only be effective if the members of society are willing to take the time and trouble to receive information and act upon it. For that reason, I encourage all who read these words to adopt the habit of reading a newspaper daily. You will be a better-informed citizen, and our world will work just a little better because of your increased understanding of the way things really are.

By Linda Robert, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, Cape Girardeau Public Schools

When I was in the sixth grade, I read one of my favorite books of all times, "A Wrinkle in Time," by Madeleine L'Engle. This book had it all. It was full of unique characters, like the happy mediums, Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, the brilliant teen-ager Calvin O'Keefe, Meg Murry, indomitable determined to reunite her family, and Charles Wallace, 5-year-old genius, who didn't speak until the age of 4 and then began speaking in whole sentences. The story moves swiftly to its end, containing a lesson for everyone, anywhere in time. As Calvin, Meg and Charles battle the infamous IT, they discover that in the war of good against evil, hate cannot be countered with hate, but only with love. This book opened a whole new genre for me, at the at time in my life, and a whole new sense of imagination that perhaps a tesseract (wrinkle in time) really could exist.

The power of this book was proved again 30 years later as it played an important role in my own sixth-grade son's life. On the occasion of his 12th birthday, his party had to be curtailed as he ended up in the hospital having an appendectomy. The day after surgery, Danny was in quite a bit of pain, so the nurse gave him a pain pill early in the morning. Still recovering from the aftereffects of anesthesia, the pain pill didn't stay down, leaving Danny in a considerable state of discomfort for the entire morning. This same timeless tale became his analgesic. The ending of this story kept his mind off his pain and into the magic that this tale can weave in the minds of children. My voice just about gave out, but the grimace on his face with his words of, "Just keep reading, Mom, and I'll be OK," kept me at my task for hours. He made it through that morning after surgery without a single pain pill.

The power of books continues to play an active role in my life as I teach children and other teachers in the Reading Recovery program. This program helps unlock the door to the magic of books for children who otherwise might not ever be able to enjoy the privilege of being in the literacy club that most of us take for granted.

By Maryann "Miki" Gudermuth

As executive director for SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence, (a United Way agency), my work revolves around disability issues everyday, as most of my job requires abundant reading. Because of the type of work I do, it is befitting to begin and end with a quote from two great individuals who were role models for me, and also happen to have a disability. I will start off with one by Franklin D. Roosevelt, in a message to the American Booksellers Association, April 23, 1942: "We all know that books burn -- yet we have the greater knowledge that books cannot be killed by fire. People die, but books never die. No man and no force can abolish memory."

My first memory of a book was at the age of 2 years old. It was an animal book with the names of each animal inserted below the picture. I had polio and could only lie on my back, and looking at picture books kept me distracted from the painful medical procedures. This particular day, a woman came to St. Anthony's Hospital to adopt a child named "Miki." She stopped by my crib and asked if my name was Miki. I remember showing her my book, and right there she started to read me the names of each animal on the page. Mom never told me these things, I remembered that moment, for it had been an emotional turning point in my life. I needed the positive and personal interest she was showing me, and thus began my lifelong love for reading. On that particular day began my mother's lifelong commitment to see I grew up able to walk, able to draw and able to read. I was determined not to disappoint her.

All through my early school years there were spelling contests and book reports that had to be done, and the most books read resulted in receiving points, which were important to the year-end grade. I remember one book by Jane Austin entitled, "Pride and Prejudice." I read the whole book on one Sunday, non-stop just to find out if Elizabeth Bennett would marry Mr. Darcy. It has always been my favorite story of all the novels written by Jane Austin. I'm a romantic, you see! However, I do like to read autobiographies of famous people to inspire me. That's where I met Franklin D. Roosevelt and Helen Keller and realized my life had a purpose, and I was determined to find what that purpose was.

I spent most of my childhood having surgery in Shriner's Hospital, sometimes staying a year at a time. Reading books was one way to travel, understand the world and understand myself. It is something I've never regretted, because through reading and study from a variety of technical art books, I became a self-taught pet portrait artist.

However, I don't have much time for pleasure reading any longer. I spend much of my time reading legislative reports, medical updates, grant requirements and management periodicals. These are all important to my work, and I must keep up with the changes in current events in order to be effective in the field.

From my brief history you can see how children can come to reading in different ways and be influenced at a very early age. One parent can do much to stimulate a child's mind, starting with books that both the parent and child can love together. My mother set aside time each day to read to me from books that she loved as a child, and later we read these together. I've always thanked my mother for those times spent caring and sharing.

This brief journey from my childhood to the present brought back fond memories and prompts me to share this quote from Helen Keller in her book, "The Story of My Life," 1902: "Literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourse of my book friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness." Happy Reading!

By Martha Miller

I grew up in a family that subscribed to several newspapers and many magazines. In the evenings, my mom and dad would lean back in a recliner or hunker down on a couch and start turning pages.

The television was always on but always set at a low volume, at least until they finished reading, which could take several hours.

I think this type of environment had an impact on me, because for as long as I remember I have been reading. I can't really remember being taught to read in school -- I guess that was too long ago -- but I can remember sitting with my parents and reading the newspapers and magazines.

I've always found reading to be the most enjoyable method of acquiring information. Sure, it's easy to turn on the boob tube and listen to the news and look at the pictures, but you don't get all the details, just some splashy announcements, then it's on to the next subject.

Reading, whether it's newspapers, magazines, romance novels or books by best-selling fiction writers, gives the more in-depth experience. It opens a person up to personal feelings and can even cause one to question her beliefs and change her opinions.

I read the Southeast Missourian every day, and I also have the Chicago Tribune Sunday edition sent to my home. Sometimes my sister in Florida sends me the Orlando Sentinel.

I subscribe to "Arizona Highways," a very colorful and informative magazine about the beauty, grandeur and history of that area. I also subscribe to "Southern Living" because I like the photos of country-style kitchens and articles on crafts and baking.

I often buy magazines off the shelf. Sometimes I'll get a copy of "Cosmopolitan" if the cover suggests there is an article inside that would interest me. I must admit to a weakness for some of the supermarket tabloids. I especially like the stories about space aliens snatching people off the Earth and whisking them away in their flying saucers!

I always try to have a book to read. I went to a bookstore about a month ago and bought a biography of Frank Sinatra. Several months ago I read one of the Princess Diana books.

I've always found that the most intelligent people are those who read a lot. People who watch too much TV don't have the detailed knowledge that readers do. Readers can take their time and delve into any subject they choose. They can even reread things to refresh their memory.

And another good thing about reading is how it can affect your imagination. When reading for enjoyment instead of for facts and knowledge, you can often put yourself in the place of the writer and almost see, feel and smell what the writer is describing. So, reading can be like taking an exciting trip without having to leave your room.