WHY I READ AND WHAT I LIKE TO READ

By Melvin Gateley

We are afforded many experiences as we travel the pathway of life. As infants, our parents are generous with the tender loving care. They want the very best for their children. Then, our journey becomes more exciting and rewarding as we taste life in its many wonderful stages -- infancy, youth and adults. I have seen life at every stage and I love it! Now, that I have reached my Senior years, I have an added enjoyment. There is no greater joy than to have your grandsons crawl upon your knee with their favorite books and say, "Grandpa read me a story."

Each time I have this privilege, I recall how important and fulfilling the art of READING has been (and, still is) to me. My grandsons' magic words create within me a feeling of nostalgia. Like life, I have experienced READING in many stages. It is an honor to be asked to share a few brief comments regarding the importance of READING and how my life was influenced by this necessary skill.

My parents had little time to read to me (busy at making a living for a large farm family). However, I was fortunate to have special teachers who devoted the needed hours to teach me the skills of reading. The mystery of the printed page was unlocked during my primary school years. It was during these initial years that I was motivated to be curious -- to be innovative -- to discover -- to challenge the earth and its treasures. READING was the magic formula.

The excitement of life was carried into junior and senior high school. I was prepared to meet those sometime dreaded essays, term papers and book reports head-on. The tools of reading had prepared me for these tasks. So it was off to the school library to select the "just right books" to complete the assignments. This was necessary because reading materials at the 'ole farm house' were limited -- a mail order catalog, the Bible and an occasional newspaper, the Missouri Ruralist. At the library, I found the materials that would meet the requirements of the assignments as well as enrich my life. For you see, I made new friends by reading, Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer" and "Huck Finn." Farm life became more meaningful with these "lads" and their daring adventures. Also, Jack London's, "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang" became my daily companions along with my other farm friends, horses, sheep and MILK COWS (this just seems like the RIGHT thing to say).

My college years brought increased reading and study. The skills that my parents, teachers and professors had taught me helped me earn my degree and the honor of selecting a profession -- a TEACHER!

How amazing when you take time to reflect on each stage of life! The precious teachers who opened the doors of a new world for me, had in reality prepared me to walk in their footsteps by teaching others. Yes, amazing! This all became a reality because of the ability to read. For 37 years I had the cherished privilege of witnessing the work of my colleagues as they meticulously prepared students to read just as my teachers had taught me.

At this stage of life, I love to read all kinds of materials. It is like taking minute vacations to read a few lines from a good book. So parents and grandparents, when your children and grandchildren come to you with their favorite books and say, "Please read me my favorite story" take the time to do this and you will notice the marked change in attitude and learning as they grow to adulthood.

My closing thoughts will be those of Addison who said, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. As by the one, health is preserved, strengthened and invigorated; by the other, virtue (which is the health of the mind) is kept alive, cherished and confirmed.

By Judge John W. Grimm

In the last month, I have gained more pleasure from reading than at any other time in my life. It hasn't been from reading the classics, like "Oliver Twist" or "Moby Dick." Instead, I've discovered a great line of books that everyone should have the joy of reading at some time in his or her life. They include "Chicka Chicka ABC," "Good Night Moon" and, perhaps my favorite, "Guess How Much I Love You."

This newly discovered reading enjoyment is the result of the birth of Natalie, our first child, who was born Aug. 16. Unfortunately, the childbirth preparation classes and books for new fathers didn't give a precise time at which babies start learning. But I've decided not to take any chances. If there's even a small possibility she'll grasp some of what I'm reading, I want to give her that opportunity.

Admittedly, not everything I've been reading to Natalie has come from books with cardboard pages. I've also had fun reading to her about Mark McGwire's chase for the home run record, and trying to explain to her the significance of a record that was, until recently, in place for 37 years. In the end, though, I know that she will gain the most from books directed toward toddlers.

Children's books exemplify what reading should be for all of us -- enjoyable and educational. They invoke our creativity and imagination, but also require exploration of new ideas and concepts. With imaginative drawings, big letters and bright colors, these books are easy and fun to read.

The books Natalie and I have been reading accomplish these goals. "Chicka Chicka ABC" is the colorful story of the letters of the alphabet climbing up a coconut tree. Finally, after all the letters -- A, B, C to X, Y and Z -- have climbed the tree, Chicka Chicka BOOM BOOM, they all fall down.

"Goodnight Moon" is a classic bedtime story that was first published 50 years ago. The story begins with a child's observation of all the items in the great green room. Designed to lull children to sleep, its final pages read, "Goodnight stars...Goodnight air...Goodnight noises everywhere."

In "Guess How Much I Love You," Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare demonstrate the immeasurable love between a parent and a child. Little Nutbrown Hare Loves Big Nutbrown Hare as far as he can reach and as high as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare loves him as far as his long arms can reach and as high as his strong legs can hop. Little Nutbrown Hare loves Big Nutbrown Hare right up to the moon! As far as that is, it's just halfway to Big Nutbrown Hare's love for Little Nutbrown Hare.

These books reinforce some of life's most fundamental principles: the importance of education and learning, daily appreciation for God's creation, and the unbreakable bond of love we should have with our parents and children

The feedback we get from babies is, of course, very limited. But even when Natalie is cradled in my arms with a blank look on her face, I'm confident that reading to her on a regular basis will, over the long term, make a profound difference in her life.

Why I like to read....

By Rod Jetton

Reading is important because almost every other task an individual is asked to do requires reading. Taking tests, following directions, assembling things -- all of these tasks require reading.

There are many skills we can go through life without mastering, such as spelling, mathematics or writing. All of these are important, but reading is the cornerstone to learning and developing in these areas as well.

Reading is also enjoyable. It can take us to places we have never been and show us things we have never seen. It develops our minds by making us concentrate and use our imaginations.

Reading also can teach us so many new things. We can learn how successful people accomplish goals, how past leaders overcame problems and get ideas on ways to make our lives more enjoyable.

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies and one of the most rewarding.

By Eva Dunn

Probably the hardest thing to ask a librarian is what kind of books and authors they like to read. My favorites include a wide range of authors.

Robert Munsch's, "Love You, Forever," will make me cry every time I read it -- but it's a happy cry, not a sad one. Mercer Mayer has wonderful books that I love to read to young people. I love biographies about American pioneers like Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett. An occasional mystery writer, like Mary Higgins Clark, can keep me on the edge of my seat and makes it very hard for me to get my work done.

I like a good romance writer like Janet Dailey for my mellow moods, and there's nothing better than a good thriller from Tom Clancy, John Grisham or John J. Nance for those times when action is the choice of the day.

The best thing I like about reading is that you can go anywhere in the world through a book. My parents taught me how important books are by giving us a very good example.

When I was 8 years old, our television broke. Instead of rushing to get it fixed, my dad said, "Let's try doing without it for awhile." After five years and thousands of books, we found it was nice to have a television again, but just as nice to have a new book.

Make your library one of your favorite places to spend time. Read, read, read!

By Jim Wente

In today's busy world, we tend to get caught up in the complexities of daily living and have little time left to pause and remember all those who went before us to make us what we are. But when we take time to remember the events that shaped this great country, we are also reminded of our values and principles and of the sacrifices made by others to get us where we are today.

I've always been interested in the history of our nation particularly history of the Civil War. Part of that interest stems from the fact that my great-great-grandfather James Elsey and great-grandfather Wilhelm Brockmeyer both fought as Union soldiers in the Civil War. James Elsey enlisted in August of 1861 and just four months later was wounded in the Battle of Belmont, Mo. He died shortly after in the Union Army Hospital at Cairo, Ill.

Among my favorite books on the Civil War are "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era" by James M. McPherson and "With Malice Toward None: The Life of Abraham Lincoln" by Stephen B. Oates.

I'm also very much interested in the settling of the Great Plains and history of the American Indian. The westward movement, the hardships endured by settlers and their determination to survive on the frontier and the impact all of that had on the American Indian is absorbing reading. One event builds on another, so of course one book leads to another. There are many wonderful books on the Great Plains and the American Indian. My "best reading" list includes "Crazy Horse and Custer" by Stephen E. Ambrose; "The Lance and the Shield: The Life and Times of Sitting Bull" by Robert M. Utley; "The Indian Frontier of the American West 1846-1890" by Robert M. Utley; and "Custer's Luck" by Edgar I. Steward.

Reading about history has also encouraged me to visit many of the places mentioned in various books. One particular trip I recall is to the Custer battlefield in Montana. It was February, and my wife and I were the only people in the park. We stood there, in the dead of winter, snow on the ground -- and literally felt enveloped by history. The silence was finally broken by a red tail hawk that flew over and screeched.

That was quite a moment for me, but history is full of great moments. Reading about those moments brings us a bit closer to the actual events and the men and women who were a part of them.

By Gerald Jones

The single most important thing a person does is to read. Reading enhances life. A person gains insight and knowledge of current issues, and can develop an understanding of people and relationships through reading.

Reading provides a great form of relaxation and entertainment.

Why I read?

There are many different kinds of reading materials and huge differences in personal interests. My interests are nonfiction, current events, sports, motivational and self-improvement.

I subscribe to and thoroughly read the following newspapers and magazines: Cash-Book Journal, Southeast Missourian, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Newsweek, National Geographics, Reader's Digest, Track and Field News, Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine, Missouri Conservationist, Bugle (elk) Magazine and Outdoor Life.

By Howard Alexander

Learning the 3 R's (reading, 'riting & 'rithmetic) use to be the main stay of the education system. With the advent of the computer age came a cure for those not proficient in writing and arithmetic; however, reading remains No. 1 and has not been replaced.

Sadly, I never was one to read for enjoyment. It may have been because speed reading did not come easy to me. Reading has always been the major way of keeping abreast of information for my career.

In education, I read to keep abreast of changes in teaching, administration and reporting information requested. Today I read to maintain a working knowledge of the real-estate market. We must be able to read and understand what someone writes in order to provide appropriate information. We must read to understand before we commit ourselves to a legal document. We must be able to read the directions before we become proficient with a computer. When all else fails, read the directions!

Can reading be replaced? I don't think so!!! It seems to be that one discipline of learning that is irreplaceable.

By James J. Sexton

I enjoy reading for both business purposes and pleasure. I've been an avid reader since junior high school when I learned to read novels rather than do my assigned schoolwork.

When I read for pleasure, I enjoy reading Tom Clancy books. He keeps the action moving and he writes with a style that allows the reader to become thoroughly immersed in the storyline.

I also enjoy reading Sports Illustrated, Time magazine, and Golf Digest, all of which I find interesting.

From a business perspective, I read three business journals which I receive regularly. This is necessary to stay abreast of a dynamic industry in a constant state of change. I also find it necessary to read memos and other business-related documents from professional organizations such as the Missouri Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association.

Finally, in order to stay current with activities and events within the community, I read the Southeast Missourian on a routine basis.

By Donna Hanschen Turpin

Reading has always been a part of my life, and as an adult I just wish I had more time to pursue this hobby! Growing up, some of my fondest memories are hearing The Box Car Children books one chapter a day after lunch recess in the third grade, exploring the Childcraft series of classic children's poems, fairy tales and animal stories with my family, and trips to the public library which seemed to hold a world of opportunities for adventure.

Through the years children within my care have enjoyed pop up books, animal stories and most recently have started listening to the Chicken Soup series ... although we usually have to do more than one since the stories are short!

I also enjoy historical novels like "Rebecca," thrillers by John Grisham, magazines, and still love animal stories ... I couldn't put "The Horse Whisperer" down once I had started it. One of my favorites for advice and insight is the NIV Life Application Bible because it has notes at the bottom to put the issues and story into context and makes it more understandable.

Education is such a key to a person's sense of fulfillment and career opportunities ... and reading is certainly at the center of learning.

By Erika Glock

I have been reading for as long as I can remember. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes. Anytime that I need a break or find a need to relax, I reach for my latest book. Some of my favorite authors are: Tom Clancy, Dean Koonz, Stephen King, Robin Cook, Clive Cussler and many, many more. I find that the wilder or scarier the adventure, the better the book. I don't even mind if I can figure out "who done it" before the end of a murder mystery.

I think reading is important because it stretches the imagination and helps stimulate the mind. I firmly believe that you can learn about so much of the world and its cultures by reading. With today's focus on the world of television, so many people miss out on using their imagination to go to exotic places that are described in the best adventure novels. The best part about reading is all the conversations you can have with your friends about the latest adventure or place that you have traveled on with your books.