Week 16 Prompt
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!
Thinking back from my childhood to now, lots of things in
the reading world has changed. As a kid, I still went to the book store with my
mom once a month so we could go get out next book. Now, I feel book stores are
becoming more and more scarce. There are still a few in my local area, but there
is also a few that are no longer there. Books were on paper and you had to physically
go get them from a store or library. Now, they come in many forms such as e-book,
audiobook, etc. and they can come straight to your door. I don’t remember books
being on tape when I was a kid, doesn’t mean they didn’t exist then because I know
they did, but I don’t remember them. I feel
they were not as widely advertised as they are now. Now, I use some of those
new formats that I didn’t use as a child. I listen to audiobooks in the car and
e-books are great for travel (even though that is the only time I use them). As
far as the future goes, its hard to say. Predicting the future is like predicting
the weather, sometimes your right, and other times there is a blizzard outside
when you said it would be warm and sunny. With that being said, I think the
formats of books will stay the same. At this time, I don’t see them advancing
more than they already have, however, as far as publishing goes, who knows. Now
that people can publish privately, or even over the internet without a formal
publisher, there’s going to be more books than ever. Which, honestly, I think
it will push for a wider and stronger readers advisory services since there
will be such an increase of literal volume (pun intended).
You are correct that people no longer need to go through a publisher to get their book published. Amazon has a very robust independent e-book section, many of which are free or only $1. This may take some power away from the publishers eventually, or if a book becomes really popular it could get picked up and printed. I'm pretty sure this is how 50 Shades of Grey got started, and (love it or hate it) it is now such an iconic book in pop culture.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Independent publishing can give people the opportunity to "test the waters" about their book and receive feedback. Some may be good, others may not be, but at least it provides the chance for people to get their name out there.
DeleteFunny you should mention self publishing. I made that same comment on my prompt. I not aware of it being available, until one of my friends mentioned how proud she was of her son who has self published two of his book of poems. I think it is a great avenue for people who have something they want to share with the public without it being totally commercial.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you bring up books on tape. I know they were available when I was a kid but I don't remember them. Except my dad who bought self-help books on tape through the mail. Funny!
ReplyDeleteExcellent points! Self publishing has definitely broke out into the scene and I think that's a good things. More options for readers! Full points!
ReplyDelete"I think it will push for a wider and stronger readers advisory services since there will be such an increase of literal volume (pun intended)."
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the pun and the comment on RA--and I think you're right! One of the comments on my final project was someone who, after I gave them a few recommendations, told me they wishes RA was a paid service! I'm not sure I'd recommend all libraries after the experience I had with our RA secret shopper assignment, but it would pay if people were reminded of these tools, and readers knew we could use them!