How have reading and books changed since you were a child, for you specifically?
I remember both of my parents reading to me as a child. My favorites were The Berenstain Bears, Little Critter, and Dr. Seuss. In middle school, I enjoyed reading R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps series, R. L. Stine’s Fear Street series, as well as Christopher Pike novels. In high school, I honestly didn’t read much on my own at all. I was assigned several “classics” in school such as Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and various Shakespeare plays, and I didn’t read those either. The extensive discussion and analysis that went along with each assigned book just ruined it for me. There were clearly very specific elements and ideas that my teachers wanted me to glean from the texts, so I felt like I wasn’t permitted to engage with the texts on my own terms. My attitude was kind of like, “What’s the point in reading? Just tell me what I need to know for the test.”
Working in a library now, I am able to regularly read books that I enjoy. While my reading tastes vary depending on my mood, I tend to like books that feature women protagonists who don’t take life too seriously such as Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series, Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, and Laura Levine’s Jaine Austen series. I recently started reading Wrong Side of Forty by Jana DeLeon which features main character Marina, a 40-year-old recently divorced woman who acquires magical powers and is tasked with saving the world. I love a humorous book set in the real world with a few fantastical elements thrown in. I suppose I am, and have always been, a consumer of formulaic fiction, and I make no apologies for it. I read to escape, and I like books that bring me a bit of joy, comfort, and laughter. I love seeing what new shenanigans my favorite characters get into.
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?
I think traditional publishing houses are safe for the next 20 years.. They know how to capitalize on trending political and social topics, and they know how to market using many different platforms. As Ursula K. Le Guin observes, “[Sales and Accounting departments’] interest in books is self-interest, the profit that can be made out of them -- or occasionally, for the top executives, the Murdochs and other Merdles, the political power they can wield through them…” (p. 3). One only needs to open the latest issue of Publisher’s Weekly to see the head-spinning number of books relating to social justice and climate change -- both in fiction and in nonfiction. Part of this may be attributed to consumer demand, but as Le Guin points out, books are social vectors, and people like to read what everybody else is reading (p. 3). Whether or not what everybody else is reading is of exceptional literary value is up for debate.
I was initially inclined to believe that people will be reading less 20 years from now. Our culture caters to instant gratification, and reading an entire book requires a commitment of time and thought that many people just aren’t willing to sacrifice. I was reassured, however, by Le Guin’s take on books and reading, “... I also want to question the assumption -- whether gloomy or faintly gloating -- that books are on the way out. I think they’re here to stay. It’s just that not all that many people ever did read them. Why should we think everybody ought to now?” (p. 2). There are different motivations for reading which I don’t see disappearing any time soon: reading for pleasure, reading to escape, reading for book clubs, reading trending topics, reading trending people, reading for school … I like to think that those inclined to read will continue to find their niche and read for the reasons which matter most to them.
References
Le Guin, U. K. (2008). Staying awake: Notes on the alleged decline of reading. Harper’s Magazine. https://harpers.org/archive/2008/02/staying-awake/3/
ReplyDeleteNicole,
I didn’t have that much freedom to engage in books in high school either. In my 9th grade English class my teacher would actually read aloud to us for sometimes the entire period and then test us on minute details in the text and a limited way of interpreting the text.
I chuckled when you stated that you didn’t read the books that were assigned to you in school. Even avid readers and/or librarians were high school teenagers once! And I also agree with you, structured discussions where you feel like you have to have a certain opinion or say just the right this to impress someone (teachers) is a horrible feeling – free flowing conversations about books are soooo much more relaxing (and fulfilling in my opinion). It’s hard to escape inside a novel when you are assigned it, and probably have little to no desire to read that particular novel to begin with.
ReplyDeleteAlso I am going to have to check out Wrong Side of Forty… you made it sound very enticing! Thank you for sharing :)
I also wondered if there would be less reading in the future, but I have a feeling it might increase. We continue to make small strides in access to technology, healthcare, and education. I am probably a bit too optimistic about this, but I hope this generation and the future generations continue to improve access and will see the importance of stepping away from technology every now and then. I know I will not be able to shield my future kids from technology, but know I will certainly do everything in my power to teach them the importance of reading for more than just information. Like you said, reading can be a means to escape, a way to learn, and a way to relax.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! Full points! It's been a pleasure having you in class!
ReplyDelete