15 votes

Growing up in a house full of books is major boost to literacy and numeracy, study finds

7 comments

  1. [2]
    rkcr
    Link
    I almost exclusively get books from the library, but I've seriously considered buying my favorite books to stock around the house just so that my kid can (once he grows up a bit) maybe have a...

    I almost exclusively get books from the library, but I've seriously considered buying my favorite books to stock around the house just so that my kid can (once he grows up a bit) maybe have a chance of accidentally stumbling across it.

    3 votes
    1. EscReality
      Link Parent
      I am 29, I have been building a home library since I was 13-14(ish), I currently have around 900-1000 books (I don't really keep an accurate count) and I have read about two thirds of them. I...

      I am 29, I have been building a home library since I was 13-14(ish), I currently have around 900-1000 books (I don't really keep an accurate count) and I have read about two thirds of them.

      I highly recommend keeping books in the home, even if it's just one shelf.

  2. [2]
    cge
    Link
    This headline seems a bit misleading: in fact, it appears the study suggests homes with a modest number of books (80) displayed a significant change over houses with very few books, while houses...

    This headline seems a bit misleading: in fact, it appears the study suggests homes with a modest number of books (80) displayed a significant change over houses with very few books, while houses full of books did not increase the effect: there was apparently no significant change when considering more than 350 books.

    As the title of the study suggests, as well, with "scholarly culture," it seems quite possible that this effect is related not to the books themselves, or the adolescents reading the books, but to number of books being an indicator of cultural tendencies of parents and families toward scholarship that is separate from formal educational attainment.

    3 votes
    1. EscReality
      Link Parent
      That's a really interesting point. It would make a lot of sense if that were the case, theoretically homes with lots of books have them for a reason and fit into a specific demographic.

      an indicator of cultural tendencies of parents and families toward scholarship that is separate from formal educational attainment.

      That's a really interesting point. It would make a lot of sense if that were the case, theoretically homes with lots of books have them for a reason and fit into a specific demographic.

  3. [3]
    EscReality
    Link
    Good to know my "Tsundoku" habit will have a positive effect on my son. =D Here is the direct link to the study.

    Good to know my "Tsundoku" habit will have a positive effect on my son. =D

    Here is the direct link to the study.

    2 votes
    1. [2]
      EggOfReason
      Link Parent
      I like this quote from the article. I guess it explains why I like having books I haven’t read in my bookshelf. They just look nice.

      I like this quote from the article.

      we cherish books even if unread, their mere presence exudes comfort, their ready access reassurance.

      I guess it explains why I like having books I haven’t read in my bookshelf. They just look nice.

      4 votes
      1. clerical_terrors
        Link Parent
        I compulsively carry my books and mangas with me wherever I move, even if I hardly touch them I just consider them part of the decor of any room I occupy.

        I compulsively carry my books and mangas with me wherever I move, even if I hardly touch them I just consider them part of the decor of any room I occupy.

        2 votes