Singing Potatoes
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Thursday, 6 November 2003
Hogwash

For some reason, the news is full of stories about "Hogwarts Headache", a malady apparently caused by reading the increasingly thick Harry Potter novels. The story I caught tonight on the TV news advised that children should take periodic breaks from reading, in order to minimize the risk of getting a headache.

I find this incomprehensible. When I wasn't glued to my computer, I spent nearly all my free time in childhood with my nose stuck in a book. I read while I ate breakfast; on the bus on the way to and from school; in class; while navigating the hallways between classes; after school. Sometimes I even read while watching TV. And never once did it give me a headache.

In fact, I've never even heard of people getting headaches from reading, until just recently. What is wrong with children these days, that just reading gives them a headache?

And as an aside, I find it annoying that "read" serves as both present and past tense.

Posted by godfrey (link)
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Comments
Sometimes I even read while watching TV

I still do today. I did get headaches as a kid, but that had to do with my poor vision. With eyeglasses, no headaches. Maybe these kids' eyes aren't as adjusted to moving along so many lines of print?
Posted by M o I r A on 7 Nov 2003 00:06
In my day, we didn't get headaches from reading books. We got headaches from chopping wood! Kids! I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!

</geezer>
Posted by Squelch on 7 Nov 2003 05:38
My biggest problem with reading too much is that I sometimes deny myself sleep because I can't stop reading. I can get a headache from lack of sleep, but never from a good book.
Posted by Lisa on 7 Nov 2003 09:14
I get a headache from children who aren't reading.
Posted by Lunchbox on 7 Nov 2003 10:19
Never got a headache, but I would get carsick from reading in the car. I did it anyway though. I also once walked into a pole while reading and walking. Go me!
Posted by Sarra on 7 Nov 2003 17:35
Ha, I used to do that reading-and-walking thing too. That was fun.
Posted by M o I r A on 7 Nov 2003 18:04
Luckily I've never gotten a headache from reading. That would ruin one of my favorite escapes.
Posted by Lucia on 11 Nov 2003 12:37