IT took me a long time to come up with the courage to face the nation with the thoughts of my heart, I am convinced will genuinely make for this nation to develop, mature, progress, advance and stand tall as a nation among the nations – reading.
I travelled throughout London in buses, trains and sat in the parks from time to time and on every occasion I find people reading a book. I am aware of the benefits these people derived from such practice.
Reading sharpens the mind; reading helps to develop your thinking; reading strengthens your memory; reading

inspires and motivates you to positive action; reading makes you see things that you never saw before; reading puts you ahead of others and places you in an advantageous position.
I know of instances where several young people [adults] go to work every day in  a company bus, travelling for over an hour, every morning, and all they do is look around from the window where they are seated to see who is passing by.
It never crossed their minds that they could be reading an inspiring book based on real life. Many years ago I served my community as a local librarian.
Many adults would come to the library and borrow books while others would seek to purchase. In those days (1970s), there were no cell phones around and internet services to take up peoples’ time, rather reading was the culture of the young and old. Men took pleasure in reading, whether it was a James Hadley Chase special or an Agatha Christie mystery or a J.T. Edison, western.
Some people would read biographies;  others Harold/Denise Robbins novels, James Baldwin or a recent Mills and Boons classic.
Sometime last year I spoke to a young man  whom I knew was preparing to write his CSEC exams. I asked him one question: How is your reading? Without thinking he answered, ‘I texting’!
Now this answer speaks volumes of the state or culture that has taken over our future generation. There must be something we can do as a nation to revive and restore the culture of reading and make Guyanese and Caribbean people, readers once more.
When people read, their thinking capacity is enhanced and such practice prepares them to comprehend and face the many issues and challenges that lie ahead of them.
We need to create a reading revolution across continents, showcasing Guyana with a book that is regarded as a gripping and inspiring story of life, highlighting areas of life changing experiences that would move the reader to heights beyond the natural mode of income. And lift them to unlimited potential of prosperity unimaginable, thus bringing them into a new and exciting, exhilarating reality of a changed mindset, whether rich or poor; family or ethnicity or any culture-status.
A book they will never want out of their sight. A revolution in their reading appetite should be created. Such a book should be distributed free to schools, communities and institutions for single families or where disabled persons abide.
Reading is the epicentre of a nation’s development, progress and maturity.
Twice within a 10-year period (1992 and 2002) I volunteered my services to two schools to do a session (45 minutes). At a primary school located on Church (Middle Walk) Road, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, I taught the children to read poetry. The poem I wrote for the children brought first prize at a national or regional function in that time and season. (Reading of poetry helps to quicken and sharpen the memory.)
Again in 2008/9, for both years our church managed a programme for young people to write and read their poems at the National Library and offered awards for their efforts.
As a writer and publisher for over 30 years I have been making presentation of books that I have written over the years to organisations and persons from different walks of life.
My vision for this year 2013 is to continue to do the same as many people that need to read sometimes cannot afford to go into a bookstore and purchase one.
My greatest satisfaction is not in making a fortune in selling my books, but in receiving a phone call every now and then from conscientious readers who would compliment me on the book they just read, and asked when is the next book due. These calls would come from as far as Nigeria, Africa; Athens, Greece; Jamaica, Suriname,The United States of America, Canada or London.