`Many would rather go to the mall than read'<\/p>\n
The Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Publishers Association is
\nholding this year's annual Jakarta Book Fair at the Bung Karno
\nSports Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, from May 24 through
\nJune 1. The fair has attracted thousands of visitors, but some
\nstudents who visited the event told The Jakarta Post that reading
\nhabits in the country were still far less than they should be.<\/p>\n
Urfi, 16, is a third-year student of Nurul Fiqri senior high
\nschool, Depok, West Java. She lives in Kalibata, South Jakarta,
\nwith her family:<\/p>\n
I like reading, as it's my hobby. I like reading all kinds of
\nbooks, magazines, novels and religious books. I'm reading a
\ndetective story at present.<\/p>\n
Reading is very important for developing the nation. I've
\nlearned many things from reading books.<\/p>\n
That's why I try to spend some of my pocket money on books
\nevery month -- well, at least I try to buy one comic book.<\/p>\n
However, it's sad that many youngsters nowadays prefer to
\nspend their time at the shopping mall or cinema.<\/p>\n
I still spend much of my time at shopping centers, just for
\nfun. On the other hand, I also read a lot at home.<\/p>\n
Delicia, 17, is a second-year student at Tarakanita senior
\nhigh school, Gading Serpong, Tangerang. She lives nearby with her
\nfamily:<\/p>\n
I like reading books. I get more enjoyment when reading,
\nparticularly when I read fiction and comics.<\/p>\n
I've now started to read best-sellers, such as Chicken Soup
\nfor The Soul. I was motivated to read more after someone gave me
\nthat book as a birthday present.<\/p>\n
It's cool and fun. I enjoy reading now. Besides, a lot of my
\nclassmates also read books like novels or comics and sometimes
\nwhat we read becomes our topic of conversation during the school
\nbreak.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, I don't save money every month to buy books. I
\nonly buy books whenever I want to. It depends on my mood, too.<\/p>\n
However, in general, I'd say that the reading habit among
\nyoungsters remains far from what is expected. Not all youngsters
\nlike reading books.<\/p>\n
Personally, if I had to choose between reading or going out
\nwith friends to the shopping mall, I'd choose the mall, despite
\nthe fact that I'm not addicted to shopping, as my friends are.<\/p>\n
Hikmat, 22, is a second-year student at Bina Nusantara
\nUniversity, majoring in information systems at Kebon Jeruk, West
\nJakarta. He lives in Depok, West Java, with his family:<\/p>\n
Reading is my hobby. I always spend some time each day reading
\na book; anyway my subject requires a lot of updated information.<\/p>\n
I read any kind of book. Recently, I read a book on the latest
\nprogramming system.<\/p>\n
It's a shame that not many of my classmates are interested in
\ngoing to bookshops or book exhibitions.<\/p>\n
They prefer spending hours a day playing electronic games or
\nat shopping centers, just for fun. Reading, for some students, is
\ndeemed a tiring activity; in the modern way of life that we now
\nlead, many seek instant enjoyment.<\/p>\n
My friends tend to read books only because they are asked to
\nby lecturers.<\/p>\n
Grade orientation seems to predominate over curiosity in the
\nminds of many students.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, books are just too expensive these days, let
\nalone for students like me. Imported books are far more reliable
\nthan local ones. However, the price has skyrocketed. Perhaps the
\nlibrary is the best solution under these circumstances.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/many-would-rather-go-to-the-mall-than-read-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }