Get stuck into a good book - there is nothing better. Or is there?

The recent World Book Day and the Year of Reading (from September 1998) celebrate and promote the art of reading. But have television and the computer already killed reading off?

The BBC's Julie Etchingham reports from Hay-on-Wye in the UK, the self-proclaimed book capital of the world (1' 59")

According to a recent survey, more than one in seven adults has not read a book in the last year.

More than one in three has never visited their local library.

And, in a report for the BBC, "Lack of time," and "Too much time spent on the computer," are reasons given for not reading by those questioned.

But to confuse the issue, books are also said to be big business.

The British market is booming, according to publishers, retailers and libraries.

Book shops are springing up in towns all over the UK. And alongside traditional shops, new outlets like supermarkets include the latest best sellers on their shelves.

Nonetheless, the organisers of World Book Day feel there is a need to secure reading as a pastime of the future.

They say this year's initiatives to promote reading focus heavily on children because the competition with television and computers cannot start too early.

And with recent government figures showing that 20% of UK adults have trouble reading, many parents and teachers agree.

What do you think?

Is the art of reading dead?

I haven't read a book in nearly two years....
Jeff Simons, US

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