(CNN) - It appears President Obama has to step up his reading pace if he wants to beat his predecessor in one particular measure: how many books a president can polish off a year.
In an interview with the BBC Tuesday, Obama said he is currently reading Joseph O'Neill's 270-page novel "Netherland," a book Obama first said he began back in April.
If Obama is close to finishing the novel, that puts him on less than a 10 book-a-year pace, far less than the close to 100 books President Bush was reportedly able to finish in the same amount of time.
According to former top Bush aide Karl Rove, he and the former president engaged in a friendly wager every year to see who could read more books.
In 2006, Bush read 95 books to Roves 110: a Herculean pace of nearly two books a week - in an election year to boot - for the ex-president. But, according to Rove, Bush's reading slowed a bit in the final years of his presidency, finishing a not-too-shabby 51 books in 2007 and at least 40 in 2008.
And if that's not impressive enough, Rove also said Bush found time to read the Bible "from cover to cover" every year.
While Obama may have had to put aside “Netherland” last month in favor of pages of court briefs with a Supreme Court vacancy to fill, it nevertheless appears the president has some summer reading to do.
From CNN Politics
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Perhaps Obama doesn't not have time to read books because he is busy doing his job as president. I don't think it's anything for Bush to be proud of .
I would rather have him work than read books for pleasure. I know that he needs time off to do fun things. I believe by being active (football, golf, even dating) he sets as good as example as reading. Reading sets a good example too, but I believe he is following the mantra of "all things in moderation".
I think bus lied about how many books he read. He did not read newspapers. His staff were told to keep memos short as president bush did not like to read long ones. GWB was a very dishonest person and so I just don't believe this. Let's see, 100 books per year, that's 3 books a week. Do you believe that. The guy barely got through college.
Who really think Bush read 95 books in one year? I know for a fact that the "Dick and Jane" primers did not have 95 books in the entire series. Who does he think he is kidding?
I have no doubt that Bush read many books while in office and during an election year. After all, he had Chaney to act as president. I'd like to see the list of book titles. Did it include any Disney titles?
Too bad Bush didn't have time to read a "P.D.B." in August 2001....
Yeah, but Bush's total has to take into account how many were comic books and picture books. No way I believe he read that many for real.
Bush read a book? Ok what's the punch line?
Yeah, well, Obama works for a living instead of just leaving everything up to the V.P. and his croneys.
Picture books don't count, Mr. Bush...
This is rich. Am I expected to believe Bush read this many books in one year? He certainly had plenty of time as he never really performed in the office to which he was selected by five Supreme Court cronies. I, however, do not believe he read even one book in a year, not even the Bible. Only a fool would believe this nonsense because most people realize Bush cannot read.
Bush himself said he wasn't much of a reader. The number of books he allegedly read was all propaganda to play down his mediocre cowboy image.
10 books per year for bush must be a lie. His vocabulary didn't show it and he acted like a complete moron while in office.
Maybe President Obama is reading the daily briefings instead!
I guess we know what Bush was doing when the rest of his cabinet was ruining this country. I think Bush was the classic story of a generally good guy hanging out with the wrong crowd.
Obama – Engaged President who has a brain
Bush – Disengaged reader who...well, it was obvious wasn't it?
If Obama took as much vacation time as Bush did, I'm sure he's surpass his reading list. Certainly the level of reading would be a lot higher. Eight years in office,three of them on vacation- lots of time to read comic books and Harry Potter and clear brush, I'd say.
Maybe that's why Bush never read any of the official reports.... Compared to Pride and Prejudice, I bet national security and torture allegations are incredibly boring. And does this include Dr. Suess books? Does this include the book he was reading to children when our nation was attacked?
There are more important things the president should be reading than romance novels 'for funsies.' Ever since I've started working for my Ph.D., my recreational reading has drastically dropped. That is due to the passion and fervor I have for persuing knowledge and my studies.
I sincerely hope this president is more concerned with what is happening in the world and check facts before we invade another country than he is in Harry Potter's most recent misadventure.
So THAT's what the taxpayers got for the money spent on Cheney's PUPPET.
Gee...No wonder the country went belly up ....
Bush was too busy reading books instead of taking care of our country.
Figures....
obama's disadvantage. michelle has to read to him.
he only reads Indonesian.
Even CNN confirms that President Bush is an avid reader. So to all you liberal Bush haters! TAKE THAT! I am sure you will find away to divert attention from the fact that President Obama doesn't read as much! Actually this is just a silly story to have fun with but some of you (you know who you are:Mari, Sniffit, Simmy, Dutch, the usual suspects) will get ugly and not JIGGY with it! PEACE!
Hmmmm, Bush read 95 books in 2006? Does "Cat in the Hat" and "Where's Waldo" really count?
What a pile of horse rubbish. Bush read 100 books a year? Without crayons?
I would prefer Obama to spend his time doing his job, not polishing off two books a week. Perhaps this is the reason for Bush's presidential failures.