The good news: According to an NEA study released today, more than half of American adults have read a novel, play, short story or other piece of literature last year than in '02.

The bad news: Most of them said they'd really rather not.

The AP article says the survey found "[R]eading rates increased for whites, blacks and Hispanics, for men and for woman, for all levels of education and across virtually all ages. Reading among 18-to-24 year olds jumped from 42.8 in 2002 to 51.7 percent last year."

And last year, Read Street was born. Coincidence? You decide.

Of course, it may also have something to do with homework.

"Adults who read books of any kind — fiction or nonfiction, online or on paper — that were not assigned by a teacher or employer dropped from 56.6 percent of adults in 2002 to 54.3 percent last year," the article went on to say. "The fall was greatest among those younger than 55."

So bravo, teachers! Maybe by the next survey, we'll have actually learned to love our books.

(Photo courtesy of capgros at stock.xchng)