Reading is a lot of fun -- unless you can't

As an experiment, the Cape Girardeau: United We Read projects has proven that there is enormous interest in reading and in coming together in small groups to talk about a book.

In this case, it was John Grisham's "A Painted House," which resonated with so many readers here because of its rural setting and its familiar patterns of farm work, Saturdays in town, church and the amazing events that made our childhoods memorable and exciting.

An incredible amount of effort went into the planning and execution of this monthlong project, and the organizers deserve our heartfelt thanks. It was fun and educational.

More than that, United We Read drove home a key point: Literacy is something that involves all of us.

Those of us who enjoy reading books need only stop for a moment to consider what our lives would be like if we had not had parents and teachers who made sure we learned to read. The reality is that there are far too many of our friends and neighbors who struggle with reading.

For all the good of this project, let's hope that we all remember there is much to do to make sure that schoolchildren are learning to read and that adults who need help have access to useful literacy programs.