Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at 11:00 AM EDT
A Literature-free Life
It is the summer reading season, but according to a recent study by the National Endowment for the Arts, fewer Americans are picking up books than ever before. Over the last year, less than half of all Americans read a novel, short story, poem or play. The study raised NEA chairman Dana Gioia’s concerns about the civil and cultural implications for free, democratic society.
Oregon resident Susan Nielsen is troubled too because she is dangerously close to joining the throngs of Americans who haven’t cracked a book in 12 months. In this radio diary, she wonders how she has allowed herself to live a literature-free life.
Guests:
Susan Nielsen, columnist with The Oregonian newspaper
