Studies conducted by the National DEndowment for the Arts show that Americans, in general, don't read much literature. The question is, "Why not?"There are lots of excuses people give as the reasons why they haven't picked up a good book in months or even years.Fortunately, for every one of them,there's often a solution.
美国国家艺术基金会的研究显示，美国人普遍较少阅读文学作品。值得探讨的是：“人们为什么不读书？”人们给出的借口五花八门，解释自己为何数月，乃至数年不曾拿起一本好书。幸运的是，对每一个借口，往往都有破解之道。
Excuse #1: I don't have time
借口一：我没有时间
Think you just don't have the time to pick up a classic? Take a book with you everywhere and instead of picking up your cell phone, open the book---or e-reader. You can read while standing in line, in waiting rooms, or during a train commute. If longer works seem overwhelming, start with short stories or poetry. It's all about feeding your mind--d even if it's only one bit at a time.
觉得自己没有时间读经典作品？随身携带一本书或一部电子阅读器，用读书替代刷手机。你可以利用排队、候车或乘火车通勤的时间阅读。若长篇作品令人望而却步，不妨从短篇故事或诗歌开始。关键是读书能充实心智——即使每次只有一点点。
Excuse #2: Books are expensive
借口二：书籍太贵
While it may be true that owning books was once considered a luxury,these days there are numerous sources for inexpensive literature. The Internet has opened a whole new arena for readers. Literature, both old and new,is available on your handheld device for free or deeply discounted prices.
尽管拥有书籍曾被视为一种奢侈的享受，但如今已有多种低价的文本获取途径。互联网为读者打开了一个全新的领域。新旧文学作品都可以在手持设备上免费或低折扣阅读。
Of course, the most time-honored method for getting access to books of pretty much every description at little or no cost is your local public library. You can pick and choose without having to purchase. You can borrow the books and read them at home or read them on the premises', and with the exception of late fees or damages, it's usually free.
当然，获取各类书籍最传统的方式是去当地的公共图书馆，那里几乎无需花费或仅需极低的成本。你可以挑选书籍无需购买，可以借回家阅读，也可以在馆内阅读。除了因逾期或损坏而产生的费用，借书通常是免费的。
The bargain section of your local brick and mortar bookstore² is another place to find reasonably priced books.Some places don't mind if you read while you're sitting in the store in one of their comfortable chairs. Another great resource for inexpensive books is your local used bookstore².
当地实体书店的特价区是另一个实惠的购书渠道。一些书店甚至提供舒适座椅，鼓励读者在店内阅读。当地二手书店也是低价图书的绝佳来源。
Excuse #3: I don't know what to read
借口三：我不知道该读什么
The best way to learn what to read is by reading everything you can get your hands on. You'll gradually learn which genres you enjoy reading, and you'll begin to make connections between books, as well as to understand how books can connect to your own life. If you don't know where to start, or you find yourself stuck for ideas along the way, find someone who enjoys reading books and ask for recommendations.Likewise, librarians, booksellers, and teachers can help point you in the right direction.
探索适合阅读书目最有效的办法之一是阅读能接触到的所有类型的书。你将慢慢了解自己偏好的类型，也能体会书与书之间的内在联系，同时也会理解它们如何与你的人生产生关联。若不知从何开始，或在阅读过程中没有头绪，不妨向爱读书的人寻求推荐。同样，图书管理员、书商和老师也能帮你找到适合你阅读的书籍。
Excuse #4: Reading keeps me awake at night
借口四：阅读让我夜不能寐
People who love to read often find themselves so engrossed in a book that they stay up practically all night reading. While it's not the worst thing in the world, nor is falling asleep while reading, it can make for a groggy morning and some pretty strange dreams. Try to schedule reading for other times besides bedtime. Read at lunch, or for an hour when you wake up. Or, if you are going to be reading all night, make sure you limit it to those evenings when you're going to be off work the next day.
爱读书的人常常发现自己全神贯注于一本书而几乎整夜不眠。虽然这并非坏事，读书入眠其实也未尝不可，但这可能会让你次日早晨感到昏昏沉沉——或是做一些离奇的梦。可以尝试利用睡眠时间以外的时间进行阅读：午餐时分或清晨起床后阅读一小时。如果非要通宵阅读，请确保次日无须工作。
Excuse #5: Can't I just watch the movie?
借口五：我能不能只看电影？
Yes and no. You can watch a movie instead of reading the book on which it's based, but quite often, they have very little in common. Case in point: "The Wizard of Oz." Almost everyone has seen 1939's classic musical starring Judy Garland as Dorothy, but it's a far cry from the original series of L. Frank Baum books on which it's based. (Hint: Major elements of plot and important characters never made it to the big screen.) That's not to say that the movie is anything but wonderful, but as someone in Emerald City so aptly pointed out, "It's a horse of a different color."
可以，也不可以。你可以选择观看改编的电影而不读原著，但很多时候，二者其实相去甚远。以《绿野仙踪》为例：几乎人人都看过这部1939年由朱迪·加兰饰演多萝西的经典音乐剧，但它与L·弗兰克·鲍姆原著的系列作品大相径庭。（提示：许多关键情节和重要角色从未登上大银幕。）这并不意味着电影本身不精彩，但正如翡翠城中某人恰如其分指出的那样，“这完全是另一回事。
There are countless classics that have been turned into movies. Go ahead and watch the TV series or the movie version, but if you want to know the real story, read the book on which the movie was basedbefore you watch it.
无数经典文学作品被改成了影片。可以观看影视版本，但若要了解真实的故事，还是要在观看影视作品之前阅读原著。
Excuse #6: Reading is too hard
借口六：阅读太难了
Reading isn't always easy, but it doesn't have to be hard. Try not to be intimidated. People read books for many reasons, but you don't have to feel that it's an academic experience if you don't want it to be. Entertainment is one of the best reasons for reading.You can pick up a book and have an unforgettable experience: laugh, cry, or sit on the edge of your seat.
阅读并非总是轻松的，但也未必很难。不要望而却步。人们读书的动机多样，如果你不想把阅读当作学术任务，大可不必强求。娱乐是阅读的最佳理由之一。翻开一本书，便能体验到令人难忘的经历：或欢笑或落泪，或紧张不已。
It's true that many famous authors wrote books that are tough to get through for people who haven't studied literature; however, lots of them also wrote things that are much more accessible. For instance, if you want to read something by John Steinbeck' but think"The Grapes of Wrath" is a little out of your league, start out with something like "Cannery Row" or "Travels With Charley: In Search of America" instead.
诚然，很多著名作家的作品对没有研究过文学的人来说难以读懂。然而，他们中不少人也创作过更浅易的作品。例如，如果你想读约翰·斯坦贝克的作品，而又觉得《愤怒的葡萄》太过晦涩，可以先读《罐头厂街》或《与查理同行：探寻美国》这样的作品。
Excuse 7: I just never got into the habit
借口七：我从未养成阅读的习惯
No? Then make it a habit. Make a point of reading literature on a regular basis. Start with a few minutes a day and make a commitment to continue. It doesn't take much to get into the habit of reading. Once you've got a good start, try reading for longer periods or with a greater frequency. Even if you don't enjoy reading books for yourself,reading a story to your child can be very rewarding. You'll be giving them a great gift which will prepare them for school, for life, and it can also serve as an important bonding experience they will likely remember for the rest of their lives.
尚未养成阅读的习惯？那就从现在开始培养吧。让阅读文学融入日常生活。可以从每天花几分钟开始，持之以恒。养成阅读习惯并不难。一旦有了良好开端，可尝试延长阅读时间或增加阅读频率。即便你并不热衷于自己读书，为孩子读故事也同样意义非凡。这相当于为他们送上一份珍贵的礼物，不仅有助于他们为校园生活和人生旅程做好准备，更会成为一段重要的亲子时光，这段经历或许会被他们铭记终生。
Need more reasons to read? You can make reading a social experience. Share a poem or a short story with a friend.Join a book club. Being part of a group will give you an incentive to keep reading and the discussions may actually help you gain a better understanding of literature.
还需要更多的阅读理由吗？不妨让阅读成为一种社交体验：与朋友分享诗歌或短篇故事，或加入读书会。成为群体的一员将激励你持续阅读，而讨论也有助于你更深入地理解文学作品。
It's really not that difficult to make books and literature a part of your life.Start with something manageable and work your way up. If you never read War and Peace" or "Moby Dick," that's fìne, too.
让书籍和文学成为你生活的一部分，其实并不太难。可以从自己能够理解的作品开始，循序渐进。即使你从未翻阅过《战争与和平》或是《白鲸》，那也无关紧要。
（译者单位：天津师范大学外国语学院）
