This blog was developed to learn more about the average American reader. This is a brave new world for a writer as the nature of what and how Americans read is changing every second. Not only do Americans seem to have less time in their day for leisure reading, but physical books are becoming virtually obsolete as gadgets like the Ipad and Kindle soar in popularity. And what about public libraries? Will I live to see a day when communities no longer have libraries?! Given these rapidly evolving circumstances surrounding the future of American literature, this blogger believes it is imperative to try and document these changes. Each day I will post a question pertaining to how or why or what we read and I look forward to reading everyone's creative responses!
*Comments left as poems, haiku, sonnets, or other forms of creative expression are greatly encouraged.
I wish I had more time to read! I bought a Kindle last summer, but alas it is collecting dust. Most of my reading is informational-professional reading, cookbooks, etc., but when I download a book to the kindle or pick up a book on the clearance table at Borders (while they last), it is typically a romance novel or some other type of mindless escape.
ReplyDeleteDecades ago, I set a goal to read at least one book during the summer (good role model for the kids and all). That led to joining a book club, which led to discovering genres I wouldn't normally read. Although I do have a Sony Reader, I get the most pleasure with a "real" book in hand. It's psychologically relaxing.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that, in the future, there will be real, physical books that we can hold in our hands. Electronic books do not require the expense of real books. I suspect that authors who were struggling to get published before will be able to publish themselves with the strides electronic books are making. On one hand, it's certainly an exciting concept. It has great potential. On the other, I am sad that my grandchildren or great grandchildren may not ever visit a library or learn the scent of a book. I have fond memories of going to Book Mobiles and the Public Library. I still prefer to read a hard copy of a book rather than an electronic one or listening to a book on tape. I need to have it in my hands. I need to see the words and smell the paper and ink. I need to hear the book open for the first time. I do prefer text books in electronic form, however. Much easier to search quickly that way.
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