Both of our readings this week talk about the culture of reading and the future of the book. So I have two questions for you as readers, pulling on your own experiences and all of the readings we have done over the semester: First, how have reading and books changed since you were a child, for you specifically? Second, talk a little about what you see in the future for reading, books, or publishing - say 20 years from now. Will we read more or less, will our reading become more interactive? What will happen to traditional publishing? This is a very free-form question, feel free to wildly extrapolate or calmly state facts, as suits your mood!
For me, I would say I’m a lot pickier about what I like to read and I spend less time reading overall. This is probably due to the realities of being a working adult who is in school and the lack of free time that comes with that. When I was a child we had a free reading period during the school day and I was never without a book. I probably finished 2-3 books a week. Now I’m lucky if I finish 2-3 books a month! I also spend more time reading other things that aren’t books such as the news, websites and message boards. Of course now we have e-readers and tablets as well but I don’t spend a lot of time reading on these as I prefer the feel of a real book.
As for how reading, books and publishing will change in the next 20 years, I think it’s hard to say. I work with children and children’s books so I have more background knowledge relating to that. I think children’s literature will become more interactive and include additional websites, QR codes, online games and other supplemental material. This has been happening in children’s lit since the days of Flat Stanley (do kids still send Stanley out on adventures?). For a more recent example check out the corresponding website to the Skeleton Creek series: https://www.patrickcarman.com/enter/skeleton-creek/. And of course books are being written about video games which adds another level of interactivity. See Minecraft and Five Nights at Freddy’s for example, and now there are even storybooks being written about Fortnite.
I don’t think publishing will go anywhere but the hot subject will change. Currently psychological thrillers are running the pack, but who knows what will be next? Will dystopias make a comeback? Maybe Elon Musk’s inventions and the first ever picture of a black hole will inspire a sci fi renaissance? Currently James Patterson’s “bookshots” are really popular in my library, and I think trend of short, easy-to-read books will continue. Love him or hate him, Patterson has created a book empire! I don’t think this bodes the end of “good” literature though since that definition is so subjective. Books of literary merit will continue to be published and written, and the readers that have read them will continue to do so. Hopefully libraries and publishers will come to some sort of agreement that doesn’t equal paying $80 for an e-book. Otherwise I think things will more or less stay the same. I occasionally see articles about how young people prefer print books over e-readers so I don’t think these will be any more popular in 20 years than they are today.
For me, I would say I’m a lot pickier about what I like to read and I spend less time reading overall. This is probably due to the realities of being a working adult who is in school and the lack of free time that comes with that. When I was a child we had a free reading period during the school day and I was never without a book. I probably finished 2-3 books a week. Now I’m lucky if I finish 2-3 books a month! I also spend more time reading other things that aren’t books such as the news, websites and message boards. Of course now we have e-readers and tablets as well but I don’t spend a lot of time reading on these as I prefer the feel of a real book.
As for how reading, books and publishing will change in the next 20 years, I think it’s hard to say. I work with children and children’s books so I have more background knowledge relating to that. I think children’s literature will become more interactive and include additional websites, QR codes, online games and other supplemental material. This has been happening in children’s lit since the days of Flat Stanley (do kids still send Stanley out on adventures?). For a more recent example check out the corresponding website to the Skeleton Creek series: https://www.patrickcarman.com/enter/skeleton-creek/. And of course books are being written about video games which adds another level of interactivity. See Minecraft and Five Nights at Freddy’s for example, and now there are even storybooks being written about Fortnite.
I don’t think publishing will go anywhere but the hot subject will change. Currently psychological thrillers are running the pack, but who knows what will be next? Will dystopias make a comeback? Maybe Elon Musk’s inventions and the first ever picture of a black hole will inspire a sci fi renaissance? Currently James Patterson’s “bookshots” are really popular in my library, and I think trend of short, easy-to-read books will continue. Love him or hate him, Patterson has created a book empire! I don’t think this bodes the end of “good” literature though since that definition is so subjective. Books of literary merit will continue to be published and written, and the readers that have read them will continue to do so. Hopefully libraries and publishers will come to some sort of agreement that doesn’t equal paying $80 for an e-book. Otherwise I think things will more or less stay the same. I occasionally see articles about how young people prefer print books over e-readers so I don’t think these will be any more popular in 20 years than they are today.
Your comment about the trend of short easy to read books will continue, I think is right on. We do not have the time or patience for the 700 page books. I think we want to get to the point. I know when I read, I find myself skimming the pages a lot, if the written work is too descriptive and not necessary to the storyline. Also, I read that shorter books are more popular for 'commuter' readers. Also, the Chicago Public Library has partnered with the Public Transit to provide reading access to their commuters https://www.chicagotribune.com/redeye/redeye-chicago-public-library-cta-partner-free-content-20161128-story.html.
ReplyDeleteCaitlyn you mention books based on video games. Halo created for Microsoft's XBOX system has an entire book series based on the games. They had deep enough pockets that they were able to pay some pretty good sci-fi writers to take part. I've read part of the series and was fairly impressed. It's funny how rather a book being the inspiration for a video game or movie now it's the inverse. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteHow cool!
DeleteThat's really cool! I've seen World of Warcraft ones but not Halo. Good to know the books are good too!
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DeleteI do wonder about the future of the e-book given that most kids and teens prefer print books. I know many more adults who prefer e-books, but of course they grew up and learned to read with print. This is an area that I think merits some more research and thought going forward.
ReplyDeleteYou make some excellent points! Things are changing but that doesn't mean it's bad. You mention Patterson and you are correct - his empire has been riding each new wave of reading and publishing and whether we like him or not - you gotta admire the guy. Great job and full points!
ReplyDeleteI was so excited that authors started writing books that take place inside disney theme parks... but I have been so busy with my degree that I have not read them yet! I have kept a list of all of the series I want to read! Two more weeks and I get started on that list! I like that ebooks and print can coexist with each other.. .depends on the user need! I love that we have options today that I didn't have when I was a kid! Enjoyed your response!
ReplyDeleteMy son very much enjoyed the Kingdom Keepers series.
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