Welcome to the inaugural column for Reading Corner! Reading Corner will feature round-ups of book reviews, recommendations, new and current releases, book news, and columns covering authors, genres, electronic reading … if it relates to books and reading, it’s fair game. We’ll start with an essay of sorts.

Maybe you saw the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) report showing a four-percentage point decrease in the number of adults who read a book in the previous twelve months before the survey. Or maybe you saw the Harris Poll showing reading as the number one favorite leisure-time activity; in fact, it’s up 11% from last year.

On one hand, I can believe the NEA results showing reading in decline. Over the past year, it seems I’ve heard more and more “I don’t read books, they take too long,” or “they aren’t interesting,” or “I don’t have time,” or fill in a number of reasons.

On the other hand, every time I go to the local bookstore, no matter what the day and time, the parking lot is full and the store crowded. The store supports about seven reading groups, including one from the local high school. The middle school has over 20 students in its book club. Every elementary school child here has to log daily reading minutes as part of homework. On the surface, reading seems to be alive and thriving.

What does the state of reading look like where you are? Do you see an increase or decrease in reading? Has your reading increased or decreased in the past year? Leave your feedback in the Open Mic section.

Until next week, keep reading.

“Books may well be the only true magic.” ~ Alice Hoffman