Recreational Reading in the Arab World: A Critical Review of the Arab Reading Index (ARI)

Ahmed J Jouda; Puteri Kamilah Mohd Azanuddin; Azizah Hamzah; Md Azalanshah Md Syed

doi:10.22452/jpmm.vol19no2.2

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Published: Dec 1, 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22452/jpmm.vol19no2.2

Keywords:

recreational readings, book studies, Arabs, qualitative studies

Ahmed J Jouda

University of Malaya, Malaysia

Puteri Kamilah Mohd Azanuddin

University of Malaya, Malaysia

Azizah Hamzah

University of Malaya, Malaysia

Md Azalanshah Md Syed

Universiti of Malaya, Malaysia

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8131-9627

Abstract

This study explores the concept and significance of recreational reading in the Arab world. Recreational reading, often termed Reading pleasure, (Clark & Rumbold, 2006), voluntary reading (Krashen, 2004), or independent reading (Cullinan, 2000) is the reading carried out by personal choice. However, recreational reading in the Arab world rarely gets attention through comprehensive of scholarly studies. Thus, this textual study also examines the context of recreational reading and the initiatives taken to enhance this activity in the Arab region.