We are readers

[classicman]

Its a new world - the kids are getting input from a multitude of electronic sources. The written word is going the way of the daily newspaper...

[xoxoxoBruce]

True, but they are missing out on the wonder of the imagination.

Bastian made many other wishes and had many other amazing adventures before finally returning to the ordinary world . . .

[DanaC]

I disagree classic. Books have never been so popular or so widely, and cheaply, available. When I walk into a Waterstones or Borders shop I see a dizzying array of books and its always full of people. There are more children's books and children's authors than there ever was when I was young. Books for tots, books for teens, dark books, fun books, bleak books, and colourful books. The market for books is vast.

[classicman]

The market is there and the forced summer reading programs here are a reason for much of it.
I have to say that the supply of books is vast, but the reason is pure economics. They must have whatever you want, because if they don't you will go elsewhere. They also have the food courts and all to keep you in the stores longer. They let you read the books for free. What other business does that? None, because its a failed model. There is no doubt that we are headed to a paperless world. (good for the trees) Books will be an inevitable part of that...soon.

How many of you still write out checks?

[Stormieweather]

Me. For some things, anyway.

I still read books...real books, made with paper and everything. A LOT of books, actually. And I read them to my children. Ok, not the same books, but books with words and pages and covers and illustrations. They may never read another book once they get out of school, but at least I tried. I do read internet books occasionally, but really, there is nothing quite like curling up in an armchair with some hot cocoa or coffee and turning the pages of a good book.

Stormie

[DanaC]

How many of you still write out checks?

From time to time.

What does paper have to do with anything? Books can be published in all manner of formats.

[classicman]

Please don't misconstrue what I'm saying. I am not defending the reality as I see it, nor do I like it. It is my opinion that the end of the written book, much like the newspaper or even magazine is near. I am no writer, but the reality is that books written on paper are not gonna be around much longer. Children today have the attention span of about 5 milliseconds. Everything in their world is immediate. Thats just a simple reality. As technology and that progresses - it will only get worse. I see it in young adults and even moreso in the teens and younger. Reading takes time, patience and effort, three characteristics lacking in the vast majority of our youth.

[jinx]

I don't know... As much as my kids love video games and TV, they both beg to be taken to the bookstore and read for at least an hour every night.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by classicman

The market is there and the forced summer reading programs here are a reason for much of it.

But to back up Dana's point - we don't have that here. There has been a massive resurgence in children reading which the media like to pin on J K Rowling. Rubbish of course - the media only picked up on Harry Potter when The Prisoner of Azkaban knocked Hannibal off the top of the bestseller list in the week it was released. Even without children I'd heard the buzz from my local bookshop when The Chamber of Secrets was released. Although to be fair they knew me as a purchaser of children's books.

Originally Posted by classicman

It is my opinion that the end of the written book, much like the newspaper or even magazine is near.

All I can say is again it must be a cultural difference. I get Heat magazine every week and have done for nine years. It's trashy, but I grew up with magazines. My sister confirms my niece's age group are as into their magazines as we were (not sure what they read - it was Just Sevnteen when I was at school). For intelligent humour I get Private Eye every two weeks.

And 90% of people on the Tube every monring and evening will have a newspaper. I'm not kidding. A book or a newspaper. How else can you hide from the weirdos.

I know you're not anti-reading. I'm just saying perhaps you are sounding the death knell too soon.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

And 90% of people on the Tube every monring and evening will have a newspaper. I'm not kidding. A book or a newspaper. How else can you hide from the weirdos.

And in Japan, porno comic books are regulation subway reading for commuting suit-slaves. I use the smiley because that's me peeping over his shoulder.

[Griff]

I still subscribe to niche magazines like National Geographics, Smithsonian, and Liberty but no news magazines. My daughters are working their way though kid magazines. I think paper print will be with us a long time, but we may change what we use it for.

[classicman]

I believe you, but that is certainly not the norm.

[DanaC]

It may not be the norm.....but nor is it rare.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Except among teenage boys. Most are going blind from too much... you know...

[DanaC]

sun?