"Reading With Robin Shares The Joy Of Books"
by Heidi Sweeney
eastgreenwichpendulum.com
(08/2004)
I
To describe reading as an in-dulgence may seem like an odd concept, but in listening to avid reader and lover of books Robin Kall tell it, reading just about borders on a guilty pleasure.

“Reading is a gift I give my-self. It’s the pure pleasure of doing something for yourself,” said Kall. “There are books that you don’t want to end because you don’t want it to be over.”

Almost always, she can be caught with a book gripped in her arm, having immediate ac-cess to pages of wonder and im-ages within the grasp of her imagination. Kall approximates she reads about two hours a day whenever and wherever time presents itself.

“I always have a book in the car for a long light or when waiting while picking up the kids…there’s nothing worse than being stuck without a book and thinking I could be reading right now,” said Kall.

Kall realizes life’s obligations and the tremendous number of roles an individual carries each day, but reading is all about you.
“When you read a book, you are in the book, if not you are rereading the works 8 million times,” said Kall.

Perhaps more enjoyable than reading itself is sharing the dis-coveries of her favorite pastime with others.

As the host of Reading with Robin on WHJJ AM 920, Robin chats with guests, most often authors, about books, writing and hot topics.

“I think everyone needs to know there is something good out there and they need to get in on it…what the show is re-minding people is that there is a joy in reading,” said Kall.

With a growing fan base Kall is increasingly successful at do-ing just that. Every Saturday morning the hour-long “book chat”, which begins at 7 a.m. has become a weekend starting point to listeners in Rhode Island, and areas of Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Listeners set their alarm clocks readying themselves for Kall’s lively personality, which thrives on humor. Some listeners pour their first cup of Saturday morning coffee, many in mugs which listeners receive as gifts for calling in, while others equip themselves with walkmans and head out the door for exercise while listening to Reading to Robin.

“It’s a great thing to start the day with a laugh and they’re learning something too,” said Kall.

“People have a real need to connect and to come together. With books there’s a common-ality there. Kall notes the crowds at bookstores such as Borders and Barnes and Nobles, which provide great discussion areas.

Kall stresses that she is not a book critic, rather the show is simply sharing the love and pas-sion of reading in an entertain-ing format.

Opinions are subjective by nature; therefore the like or dis-like for a book depends on the individual’s perspective.

Her one-hour chat with authors and listeners is one of humor and fun, not one to infuse negativity.

“I’ll always go for funny,” she said.

One of Kall’s guests last month was clearly in agreement that life should be fun; Loretta LaRoche author of “Life is Short-Wear Your Party Pants, Ten Simple Truths That Lead to an Amazing Life.”

In fact, Laroche praised Kall and her show Reading with Robin.

“You are doing the universe an incredible service by promoting books because we’re getting to the point where people are going to just grunt. They’re not going to be able to speak,” said Laro-che.

Kall who lives in East Greenwich with husband Burton and children David, 16 and Emily, 13, along with dog, Ari, says only good can come of reading.

Having grown up around books, her children are doing the same.

“Children model their par-ents,” she said.

In supporting reading in youngsters, Kall promised prizes to those students who completed their summer reading by August 23rd. This Saturday, students have pledged to call into the show and join in on the chat.

Kall, who has no broadcast background, kicked off Reading with Robin on November 23, 2003. After becoming a regular caller on WHJJ’s John DePetro’s politically oriented show and forming a friendship, Kall made an ultimately successful proposal to the radio station.

Reading with Robin is both an entertaining and informative format that stems from interac-tion.

“The book is the vehicle to get people talking,” said Kall.

Along with sharing the joy of reading, Kall shares party favors with callers such as an auto-graphed book, a coffee mug with the Reading with Robin logo and even candy that compli-ments a book’s theme.

This weekend as listeners have access to author of “Candy Freak”, Steve Almon, the gifts are sure to be delectable.

In the month of October, Kall coincides guests and books with the common theme of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a na-tionally recognized event. When the American Cancer Society holds its annual walk “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer at Roger Williams Park, Kall is sure to be there. Last year, her team raised $11,000 for the cause.

A passionate reader since childhood, Kall delights in the opportunity to talk, most often face to face at the studio, with authors and share that experience with listeners.

“I can call and get my favorite author on the air…they are peo-ple who can transform these words and amuse me for 10 or eleven hours,” said Kall.

Kall even likes to read books about books, such as Sara Nel-son’s book, “So many books, so little time.”

With more than a dozen hours of reading each week and countless books every year, Kall fears there’s still room to miss out on that which lies beyond each book cover.

“I want to tell every author to stop until I catch up,” said Kall.

Reading with Robin can be heard Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on WHJJ 920 AM.

For more information visit the website readingwithrobin.com