Victoria Beckham has 'never read a book in my life'

[Easy]

I think this is so sad. I couldn't survive without books, reading is so important.

What a role model, eh?

My dh has never read a book. Well not since he left school. He reads the Economist, Investors Chronicle, about 5 industry magazines andall the non red top weekend papers each week, and the FT every day. He watches films, likes classical music and opera. So is he thick? Or does he just happen to not like sitting down and reading a book?

I don't believe that for a moment.

It is actually not possible not to read a book if you've been through the standard English School System. She must have read at least a couple of books to pass her GCSE's. And surely they still read class books as part of English Literature lessons? (Or am I wildly over-optimistic about the current education system?)

And all of you who say it's OK, there's a difference between choosing not to read books now (or not having the time to - I wish I had more time) and never ever having read one ever and boasting about it. Anyone who has literally never read one, is cutting themselves off from a large part of human interaction. And that's really not something to be proud of.

(Although I still don't believe it!)

I'm with Toothache - okay so its a bit sad, but so what. I know lots of pple who don't read including hubbie and he is far from thick. I must admit that this thread and the other one the other week about the parent who said "you don't want a book they are boring" make me slighlty uncomfortable. Yeah, its sad and probably bad for the kids, but I can't help feeling it lets everyone else feel a bit superior and smug letting us know how much they lurveeeee books, how much they read to their kids.

Totally not thinking of anyone, can't even remember any names, just a general feeling.

Off to see whats burning in the kitchen

BUt surely you can say that about any art form Caligula - which is after after all waht literature is. Would you be as worried about soemone who admitted they had never been to the Ballet, or Opera, or Theatre, or an art gallery - all things my dh has and does enjoy

I'm not sure that VB is anyone's role model, is she?

twirlaround - so no wannabe (no pun intended!) singers or models want to be her? Mega rich, 3 cute kids, married to superstar footballer?

I think she's bit dim, because I've never heard anything remotely intelligent come out of her gob.
She may be Einstein for all I know but she hides her light under one hell of a large bushell...

I wouldn't agree that books are just literature, they're history, geography, sociology, science, anthropology, psychology, philosophy, politics - etc. etc. etc.

I suppose what niggles me about this story is the implication that it's a proud boast not to have read a book. And imo, we live in a profoundly anti-intellectual culture and this story just irritated me as being another example of it.

OK you can get knowledge outside of books, but I don't think the reporters of this story are wanting to imply that Posh is improving her mind by listening to the radio, watching good TV documentaries and subscribing to the Economist and New Scientist!

I'd be lost without a good book to read, but she does live a far more exciting life than me !!

she is a role model to some people although i'm sure that most normal people would disagree (aren't david and victoria beckham the king and queen of chavs?)
but i think its just down right stupid to boast that you have never read a book, no matter who you are, surely most people have even if its a chick lit book rather than a more serious lit, history etc?

Makes my thread about the couple not letting their child have a book the other week more real really.

Even is she doesn't read herself, I really hope that she (and David) DO read to their boys.

I am frequently too busy reading a book to read to my children

I do agree Caligula - I'm a voracious reader myself (though I do admit the literary standard of my reading matter has declined drastically since having kids). And I don't think it's something to boast about - she is obv. doing it to say "look at me, I'm really really fick I am", and I worry about the effect it will have on kids who do look up to her as a role model. I fully intend to do everything in my power to instill a love of books into my children -and if that doesn't work, i'll just force them to read one a week whilst tehy are under my roof . I just don't recognise taht a non-love of literature always equates with a lack of intelligence

I don't care whether Victoria Beckham has read a book or not!

then, my dear witchy one, with all due respect teh correct expression is 4

I did think that as I typed Prufrock, ok then

4!

Who was it that said 'Books are mighty bloodless substitute for life'. Sam Johnson I think.

Me I'm never without a book but I tell you my life lacks excitment.

I use books as a retreat for when life all gets to be too much

It is quite possible to get through your gcses without reading a book. Many people watch the film, have good notes or are spoonfed good passages which can be used in essays. I should know I used to teach the little buggers. I also got through o level literature without reading Silas Marner because I just couldnt face it at the time. Who'd have thought that I would become an English lecturer,

I bet she's read her own book, over and over and over and over...

Although she didn't write it either did she..