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Book Discussion Scheme
 
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Wild about Book Night 

Megan Blakie, Book Discussion Scheme —

Kiwi business owner Steven Wild finished high school having never read a novel.

Now the managing director of a business software company, Steven Wild is a keen advocate of Book Night, a fun nationwide reading event for people of all ages to be held on Tuesday 23 May.

Steven grew up in Invercargill and is now the Christchurch-based owner of Wild Software Ltd. He preferred studying science subjects because less reading was required.  

"I was a very slow reader at school and I never completed a set English text before I had to review it or do some work on it. I have no memory of my parents reading to me as a kid. I didn’t grow up with books." - Steven Wild

The turning point came in his 30s, when the former sales rep and retail branch manager successfully completed tertiary studies after doing a speed reading course. He estimates he is now reading about 100 books a year and enjoys historic fiction and catching up on the classics he missed out on when he was younger.

For Book Night 2017, Steven will be reading to his three grandchildren at his home in the Christchurch suburb of Somerfield, which he dubs ‘the house of books.’

Book Night is a nationwide event organised by Book Discussion Scheme (BDS) as a way to encourage leisure reading as a regular and fun activity. All ages can join in by reading for 15 minutes or more during the evening of Tuesday of 23rd May and then registering online. Community events at schools and libraries are welcome and can be publicised through the Book Night website.

Last year’s inaugural event “exceeded expectations” according to BDS Manager Barbara Brown, with more than 1340 registrations on the interactive Google map. “By the end of the evening, the map was littered with stars, messages and selfies; it was particularly heart-warming to see dads and grandads reading to young family members,” she says.

Research shows that regular reading for pleasure gives us more than a feel-good feeling: according to the OECD, reading is the single most important indicator of a child’s future success. It also helps develop empathy and, in adults, has positive effects on memory, stress levels, and our aptitude for compassion.

Details of Book Night, ideas for library/community events and downloadable posters can be found on the BDS webpage