"A Point To Ponder!"

It was an ordinary day.  Reading my latest "Reader's Digest" one last time, in case I missed something important, when I can across a one-page story that featured a colored photo of one of my favorite authors, James Patterson.  His story read:  In America we urge everyone over the age of 18 to vote, but only 15% of voters read books.  Only 15% of us perform the life-affirming, sanity-bolstering, empathy-forming act of spending time inside somebody else's brain.  Fortunately....in spite of cellphones, in spite of online gambling, in spite of the current storm of shortsighted politics -- the habit of reading books is not yet on the brink of extinction.  Not Yet!  Today's booksellers and librarians are not the sitcom stereotypes who give judgy looks when someone brings the latest bestseller to the counter, or who will shush an overenthusiastic teen to churchy quiet from 60 yards away.  Today's booksellers and librarians are extraordniarily good at understanding and motivating.  Armed with empathy, wit and professional training, they take the confused, the fearful, the frustrated, and help them become more keen-eyed, sharp-eared and justice-attuned.  What they do is crucial for their country, especially right now.  They understand in their hearts and souls that in the beginning was the word.  Day after day, they find the right book for the right person, and in so doing, they help save people's--and our collective--lives.  And maybe our sanity.  A "Point To Ponder" was written by James Patterson, one of my favorite authors and writers.  One of his latest books is: "The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: True Stories Of The Magic Of Reading!"  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. 

James Patterson