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A Literary Affair

I would like to start this column by making a confession in the hope of easing some of the guilt that keeps me awake at night. Over recent weeks I have been having an affair with Richard Madeley & Judy Finnigan. Each day I dash home from work for a secret teatime rendezvous with their infectious current affairs program, whilst pretending to the outside world that I pride myself on being someone who doesn't watch a great deal of television, least of all television which talks about other television. I must admit that it generally functions as background material whilst I check my email and carry out other tasks in my domain, however certain aspects of the show are quite interesting, particularly the fact that they run a nationally recognised book club.

Initially I found the idea that a television show should attempt to promote a rival medium of communication rather bizarre. Surely it would be a self-defeating tactic in the long term, as viewers would purchase a recommended book, and enjoy so much that come 5pm they wouldn't be able to put it down in order to watch Richard & Judy, thus reducing the viewer count. I suppose that once the book is finished, the aforementioned viewers might tune in again to see what else is worth reading, but then again perhaps they would simply return to the bookstore of their own freewill and make another purchase.

After much deliberation I came to realise that it's actually a very good idea. Reading books is an extremely enjoyable pass-time, but one which is sadly over-looked by many people in favour of TV, DVD and other electronic media. Reading (specifically fiction in this case) can provide factual knowledge as well as expanding vocabulary, and gives the imagination chance to conjure up vivid scenarios and complex characters.

Richard and Judy (collectively speaking) are the perfect vessel to convey this message to the people, their viewing figures suggest they have been consistently popular since the late 1980's, and they appeal to a very wide audience (currently around 2.1 million per day in 2005). Their lightweight banter and open-minded approach to current affairs has proved very effective, and it is fair to say most people are familiar with them as a couple. Their teatime slot is ideal in that it reaches out to people returning from work, as well as anybody who migrated with them from This Morning , the program which made them famous for entertaining masses of unemployed and unwell/skiving workers on a daily basis for 13 years.

I applaud Richard and Judy for their contribution to the good of society, however they have only seen us halfway across the road to recovery. There are at least 7 million functionally illiterate adults in the UK (Source: United Nations Report 2000) and that figure is growing as you read this article (no pun intended). Many children frown upon reading as they grow up and begin to see it as a chore rather than a pleasure, partly due to peer pressure and the perceived 'geeky' aspect of reading. Perhaps more work should be done by public figures to set a good example and use their popularity to influence people for the better? Imagine the possibilities if Wayne Rooney started a children's book club and influenced young people to get into reading, instead of merely inspiring them to shout abuse and swear at figures of authority such as referees.

Inspired by the antics of Richard & Judy, last week I decided to purchase a book for a friend and figuring I would chance my own judgement, I set off into Morecambe wondering what literary delights would greet my as I entered the local bookstore. As I wandered into the town centre I began to wonder where exactly I would find a bookstore, as it had never occurred to me until now that Morecambe doesn't actually have a proper bookstore - I don't count discount clearance shops as real bookstores, as they are loaded with out-of-date factual books, but not renowned for their selection of contemporary fiction. I am aware that the local supermarkets sell a small selection of books based on a 'bestseller' chart, although it seems that if a book isn't yet on this list you cannot buy it, resulting in the obvious question of how they decide what book is/will be a bestseller. Presumably everybody enters the store (as I did) looking for two or three potential purchases, and leaves with a copy of something completely different, thus increasing the sales (and chart position) of a book they didn't really want.

The solution to this apparent shortage of local bookstores is actually quite simple. If someone famous such as Jamie Oliver could work in tandem with Richard and Judy, and have his own segment on the show where he traverses the country identifying good bookshops in specific areas, it would put the viewers minds at rest as to where they can pick up a pukka book or two.

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