Summer Reading 2023

Since I decided to return to my blog, Living More Than OK, and with Summer here I wanted to check up on Summer reading programs. As I mentioned in my book, Living More Than OK, the local Summer reading program in my hometown library in Barberton, Ohio started my passion for reading. That was in second grade when my mom got me involved in the Summer reading program. I am so glad that libraries have kept the program alive over the years as reading is so important in life. I recently went over to my local New Braunfels, Texas public library and the parking lot was full and they had their reading program in full swing. I then checked out my hometown Barberton library website and noticed the theme for this Summer program is “All Together Now”. Each year there is a national theme. This theme captures in my mind how the program has expanded to all ages so it is trying to get the whole family and all people reading. I like that idea,as far as I am concerned, the more people reading is a good thing to aim for. Each Summer I remember and picture in my mind going up the second floor of my public library. Each week I would pick out a couple books for the program. I was also able to tell one of the children librarians about what I read. I believe that practice helped me to do better in school above and beyond just the reading which helped build vocabulary and understanding. Back then the program collected stickers for a certificate at the end of the Summer. In today’s world they provide physical prizes for the children reading programs. I think that is great as that can help build motivation for some children who may not be that into reading. Then through that positive reinforcement some of them may become lifelong readers. I have also been glad to see now the program is for all ages. Reading needs to be encouraged throughout the life span to help keep minds active. I believe in physical exercise but I also believe reading is important exercise for the mind and brain. Adults lives can become so busy so there is a need to slow down and one great slow down activity that engages the brain is reading. The reading programs also reminds me of those who influenced my reading in my life. My mom although she was not educated knew education was important so encouraged my involvement in the reading program. The children librarians were so nice and friendly so they encouraged my reading. Then as I mentioned in my book my third grade teacher, Mrs. Verna Clifford, promoted the importance of reading. Each week she would take time to read to the class a work of fiction. I hope as you read this you will think back to memories of reading in your past. Also be involved in reading this Summer 2023. Encourage those around you whether family or friends to be involved in reading programs. Reflection: Who made an impact in your life about reading? What is a favorite reading memory?

Books Can Change the Person and Society

Recently someone suggested I watch the movie, Idiocracy, to consider and reflect on the direction the world will be going. The movie was produced back in 2005. I found it interesting that it was filmed in the Austin, Texas area. I am not a big movie watching person but the title intrigued me so I watched it. The story line is of a U. S. Army Librarian, Joe, who is enlisted into a sleep hibernation program and the partner the government teamed him up with was a Prostitute, Rita. Problems occur so they wind up waking up 500 years later. The America 500 years into the future is a Dystopean junkyard. Trash is everywhere and the population has been dumbed down. Technology has advanced but the mentality of the people is low IQ, driven by base animal impulses and consumerism. Big corporations are puppet masters of a stupid president. Most of the problems are caused by the one big corporation that has destroyed agriculture. Everyone has a bar code to buy and sell which gets Joe in trouble as he has no bar code. Through a series of events he is brought to the President as tests have shown Joe’s IQ is so high above all others. He is given the task to solve the food problem. He eventually does that, all the while he is trying to find a time machine to get back to his home 500 years earlier and wanting to take Rita with him. At the end when he solves the problem Rita tells him she wants to stay. He though torn with the idea of going home, stays as well and they as a couple bring into the new future 3 smart high IQ children. Watching the movie I wondered to myself if we are not presently living in Idiocracy? Many of our present problems stem from puppet masters who have brain washed large swaths of the public to react emotionally to selfish tech consumerism. Many do not use critical thinking in their personal lives nor do they seek to build up the inner life to build a better future for themselves and their families. The movie was entertaining but the message related well to what we see in our present era and if not challenged our problems can only grow worse into the future. There was a small snippet in the movie that stood out to me. It was when Joe is speaking about his desire to go back in time and he was going to tell the people 500 years earlier to read more. He understood the power of working our minds and souls through reading. One way to keep the brain washing away is to keep working our minds with reading actively instead of passively responding to staring at mindless technology. The elites of the world want the masses to not think for themselves but to be compliant worker ants for the elites ease and pleasure. A good habit of reading books can help keep our minds growing. As we each grow in our thinking critically we can then encourage others to follow in the habit of reading. Hopefully others will understand the importance of building their minds in stronger and freer ways. By doing so there can be a positive effect on society; thus building a society where free thought can break away from the hold of the brain washing of the elitists. Reflection: What is a favorite life changing book you have read that you would recommend to someone else?