Reading Going Out of Style
According to a recent newsweek article, while more books are being published each year, Americans are reading less and less for pleasure. More shocking is what they quote from a recent government report. It says: “at the current rate of loss, literary reading as a leisure activity will virtually disappear in half a century.” I’d like to think that’s an overstatement, but there is probably some truth in that. Hey, I myself am finding it difficult to achieve goal of reading at least 2 books a month. I even quit my bookclub. In the past year, I’d only gone about 2-3 times and so decided to give up membership to someone who would hopefully be more committed. Maybe I need to look into some sort of device to listen to books as I work out, ride the bus, etc. I’ve resisted the urge for a long time as there is nothing like having a good book on hand and turning the pages, but I’m not even doing that anymore. So does anyone have any recommendations on what I should consider buying? Can I listen to a book on an IPod? Hmmm! Maybe I should go do some research.
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July 18, 2004 at 4:00 am
E!
Hmmm… I must be a dinosaur. I read about six books a month. I just joined a book club because I can’t get enough books much less recommendations of worthwhile reads.
Reading is fun-damental!
July 16, 2004 at 12:54 pm
Dragonslayer
You know what’s funny. As soon as I read that article, I thought of you and a friend of mine in NYC. Y’alls got mad books.
July 16, 2004 at 11:36 am
Toonces
FWIW, I don’t really think that there’s a lot of reading of books on the internet. I’m thinking about the reading of blogs, long-form commentary, articles, message boards, etc. It may not be as prestegious as reading a book, but you still learn from it and it’s still meaningful.
July 15, 2004 at 5:40 pm
Ursula
Point taken. Article was focusing on books made and read the old fashion way. But no question, more and more people are reading books on the internet or various electronic devices.
As for feedback on iPod — thanks. Thinking I’ll have to go down to the apple store and check it out. Maybe I’ll get one for my birthday!!
July 15, 2004 at 11:23 am
TsuKata
Ditto on the mis-leading. I listen to books on my iPod, but I’m a little bugged because they don’t break them into chapters or anything. Unless I haven’t figured out a feature, it’s a PITA to switch between music and the book b/c you lose your place in the book.
I haven’t read any manuals or FAQs for my iPod mini since I got it though, so I might just be ignorant of a way to do this.
July 15, 2004 at 12:19 am
Kris
There are audiobooks available on iTunes for download to your iPod, but i still find it more satisfying to take a real book (or even magazine) on the CTA.
July 14, 2004 at 7:59 pm
Enigma
i think it’s misleading too.
however, you probably could listen to a file on ipod if you can download an audio book. you’d probably have to try irc or w/e it’s called. (i wanna say irl but i’m thinking its wrong.) other than that it’s cd.
July 14, 2004 at 3:38 pm
Toonces
I think this is misleading…while people may be reading fewer “books” for pleasure, I have a hunch that when including the amount of internet reading a person does, they are now reading more hours and more words for pleasure.