I would like more emphasis on the importance of reading as a path of personal discovery, as opposed to something that one should do because everyone says one should. I think it's a great way to find out things for oneself that one needs to know,'' says Hollingshead, 51. It's not only the vastness of the information available through books, but it's the way that a book can, in fact, get inside of your head and move things around in a more profound way than looking for things on the Net can or watching television can,'' says Hollingshead, citing the classic J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye as having a strong impact on his life in his younger years. Canadian authors are getting wider and wider recognition around the world. This is to blow the trumpet for them here at home,'' says Toronto's Suzanne Routh, co-ordinator for book day.
Writing is a passion that, barring an exceptional few, has little monetary reward.
Government funding continues to dwindle for those who try to make a living from the pen. And contrary to what many may suspect, the majority of writers earn a pittance from book sales. There are very few people who can make much of a living from books, unfortunately,'' says Hollingshead, who expects his next book, The Healer, to be released in October. He believes Canada Book Day is catching on after growing from a grassroots effort to a now celebrated event in all of our major cities and many rural areas. Hollingshead will be reading about two hours today, his average.