"...one in four adults read no books at all."

How utterly depressing. This statement is taken from an NPR article about how women read more books than men, especially fiction. An Associated Press and IPSOS poll found that the typical American read only 4 books last year and 1 in 4 read no books at all. Is everyone reading blogs instead? If you're not a reader, you must not be reading this, right? Is it any wonder that students at a local community college don't know the meanings of words the teacher uses; words such as trepidation, for example. One theory about women reading fiction is we (women) have more sensitive "mirror" neurons (located behind the eyebrows...hmm, like a third eye?) and these neurons allow us to feel more empathetic towards characters in books or, I guess, more empathetic in general. Another theory is that girls are able to sit still more easily thus allowing them to read. As a bookseller I'm all for this trend to go away. Also as an avid reader. If publishers don't think any money can be made from a book then there might be fewer books on the shelves to choose from. Not a happy thought!