For the most part - mainly because of the inevitable replies of "You went to Vanderbilt to do that?" - I try to avoid mentioning my major of Elementary Education. However, there are those times when it comes in handy, such as supplying an emergency pack of crayons for placemat coloring or constructing a musical instrument out of beans and a cardboard tube.

But it's not all fun and games. Some of my requirements include reading picture books to children. It is in this process of reading instruction that I've made some observations about reading I think are valuable for some long-winded, opinionated droning. Pretty much all of us, except those intellectual snobs who walk around holding a framed copy of their subscription to The Economist, have lost interest in reading.

It isn't because we don't think there are good things to read: Some of us even have "Stuff White People Like" as one of our Internet bookmark tabs. The main excuse for not reading anymore is the same one we use for why we haven't been to a women's soccer game: "It might not be a total waste of time, but I'm just really busy." Believe me, I'm among the first to accept blame on this issue. How could I possibly emphasize the value of literacy if I can barely focus on Harry Potter?

This raises some general concerns. Where did we lose our way? What was the last book of which I actually read more than two chapters that weren't covered on a test? And how old will I be before my social life dwindles away to the point where reading a book becomes an acceptable use of my evening?

For most of us, I would conjecture reading motivation began to slip away sometime in high school. It was the combination of discovering CliffsNotes and having to read books like "Walden," "The House on Mango Street," or "The Old Man and the Sea." You know who I blame? Society. And MTV. But seriously, this is our own problem, and I have yet to meet somebody who says, "You know, I think I really need to read fewer books."

So what's the obstacle here? I think the biggest step is just getting started, and although it's OK at first, don't always just go for the quick and easy fixes, like "Green Eggs and Ham," the Sunday cartoon section or The Slant, which has already matched its publication quota from last year. You don't want to totally rule out Vanderbilt publications. The Torch makes reading the Vanderbilt opinion section fairly redundant, while Orbis always comes in handy for mopping up those messy spills around your dorm. Meanwhile, The Slant does still offer a great forum for its editor to try to get a date with staff from Versus, complemented by clever, sophisticated quips about underage drinking, statutory rape and feminine hygiene products. The point is reading is good. Just thinking about reading over fall break would be a start. There are plenty of ways you can get back in the game: graphic novels, choose your own adventure, even Stephen King books are still technically considered reading.

Justin Poythress is a senior in the College of Arts and Science. He can be reached at j.poythress@vanderbilt.edu.