I refer to the correspondence on getting back your reading groove (Letters, 28 April). I started my working life at 16 as an apprentice in the building industry, soon to progress to a chartered surveyor on day release and night school.
I am a practical person and very involved in local communities, including a Scout leader most of my life. Reading has never been easy for me, and with some regret have only read two books, when required to at college, but I read the Guardian daily. I must admit that I find reading factual or fiction books rather boring after the first half a dozen pages when I can be active in our garden or community. We have two sons: one reads a lot, the other a practical lad like me. He is filling his time with building jobs at home, Scouting and gardening.
Phil Barlow
Nottingham
