Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-28
SUMMER AND WINTER READING.
Change CT Season Effects Demand Tor Book,
as Much as Tor Clothing.

Inquiry at the public libraries brings
70 light the fact that the change az
seasons which affects all branches nj
work and play makes no exception in
respect of the habit of reading hut
changes the class and number of book 6
handled as it does article of dress.
Perhaps the change is a natural in
voluntary one. similar to that in diet
occasioned by mental action CORE
spending to the physical demand for
Il change.
Whatever the cause may be summer
reading differs in several essential
points from that Of the cooler portion
of the year In regard to the number
of books read it is probably a safe es-
innate to place the summer reading at
about two-thirds the amount done in
the winter. Outdoor life occupies 50
much of ones time in the summer that
there is but little remaining for books.
Then, too, the multitude of recreation
seekers who leave the city leave also
the library. Again. the long summer
Gays leave no evening which is the
faVorite hour for the perusal of books
But there is still another reason why
fewer books are read in summer and
this leads one to study of the differ
ence between the kind Of publications
used in different seasons. Much win
ter reading is for the purpose of study
particular research or general improve
ment. This Kind Of reading is species
Of work. Pleasant. delightful work
doubtless. when the chill Of winter is
shut out Of the house ana the lights
are burning through the long evening
But in the summer no one wishes 10
do Unnecessary work and the books
which are delightful winter compan-
ions are laid one side as playing no
part in the scheme Of recreation which
is the controlling genius Of the heated
months.
The difference between winter ana
summer reading is radical In the
colder months books of travel. histo-
ries and technical works are always in
demand. Large numbers Of bound VOL
umes Of magazines are also used
Teachers and clergymen. who. by the
way, have special privileges. make use
of many volumes which relate TO their
professional duties. In the summer
these volumes remain on the shelves
and fiction has the call.
This summer there are several faV-
orite volumes which are 50 much in
use that one has ordinarily, to wait
a long time before he can secure them.
Red Pottage." by Mary Cholmondeley
is the leader. but Mary Johnstons To
Have and To Hold" is a good second,
while prisoners Of Hope" by the SAM
author is much in demand. Elizabeth
in German Garden" and "A Solitary
Summer are read by large numbers Of
library patrons and The Martyrdum
Of An Empress by some well in
formed. but anonymous author is sci |
dom on the shelves. Robert Grants |
"I'nleavened Bread" and Alfred r. !
Wallace's Wonderful Century" are |
fiyOrites ana Richard Carvel" is still |
Il very popular book. While fiction is |
by far the reading for the summer. |
events of world wide interest shape |
break in upon routine customs and SO |
il happens that just now everything |
that bears on China IS eagerly sought. |
There are many very valuable books |
on the many subjects related to China. |
but one is of special interest and merit. |
as it gives perhaps the best picture OF |
the Chinese man that has thus far |
been published. This is Chinese Char |
acteristics" by Arthur T. Smith. Books |
on the Philippines and South Africa |
are still in demand.
one feature of summer reading |
strikes one as being singular This is |
the fact that a large number of sum |
mer readers. both among those who |
take books from the library and those |
who patronize the reading room. are |
young people. 1t seems that in the |
winter 50 much time is occupied with |
studies that the young folks have but |
little time for general reading and this |
has to be done in vacation. And it APP |
pears that the taste for reading is 50 |
strongly developed that even in the |
midst Of summer enjoyments and re-
taxation the young people read fully as |
much as their elders.
one Of the characteristics of winter |
reading which is conspicuously miss |
ing ut this season Of the year is the
reading done by the members of WON |
ems literary clubs.