TREND OF READING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25021, 15 September 1942, Page 4

TREND OF READING

INFLUENCE OF THE WAR The earnest desire of Dunedin citizens to assist the war effort is reflected in the trend of reading as revealed by the issue of books from the Public Library. Interest in the appeal for a greater home production of vegetables is shown by the number of books on gardening that are being sought. Books dealing with spinning, the making of natural dyes, and toy-making are also in constant demand. Subjects with a close relationship to the war, such as radio, codes, signalling, and navigation, have a wide appeal for boys, many of whom no doubt are preparing for the time when they will enter the forces. Publications relating to fire-fighting and general E.P.S. work, including first-aid and camouflage, are attracting wide attention. Foreign affairs represent the bulk of current publishing, apart from fiction, and all books concerning the war are in demand. Mr John Gunther retains a large following. “ Inside Asia,” which was not very nopular when it was published, has been widely read since Japan entered the war. Similarly, Mr Gunther’s “ Latin America ” has been much inquired for since Brazil’s declaration of war. People still seek . “Mein Kampf,” and biographies of Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt are popular. . .

The campaigns for the new Christian order and for church reunion have caused a steady output of books in the last two years. Fiction represents about 50 per cent, of the adult issue of books from the Library, and here the trend of reading does not vary greatly from year to year.