Prompt:
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?
Response:
I have always been a
reader. It’s just something I’ve always enjoyed. We always had books in my
house and the library was a popular spot. The genres I prefer haven’t changed
much from childhood. I loved the Goosebumps books when I was in elementary
school and I still enjoy horror and thrillers. Nonfiction has always appealed
to me and I still love it.
Along with books, we
always had magazines growing up. I still like magazines, but subscriptions
overwhelm me. I never have time to read an entire magazines, so they pile up. I’m
hoping graduation will give me some time to read a whole magazine.
It seems like attention
spans have shortened since I was little. Everything is so fast paced today that
everyone wants the most information in the shortest possible format. Many
people expect instant gratification. I will admit I am guilty of this as well.
It can be difficult to make myself read an entire lengthy magazine article.
eBooks are an obvious
change from when I was young. I know many people don’t like eBooks, but I am a
fan. I just love the fact that I can visit Amazon.com and download a book at
2:00AM. Libraries are also realizing that eBooks are here to stay and are
increasing their eBook collections. My library actually has two eBook services
because eBooks are so popular.
I think eBooks are going
to continue to grow in popularity. Smart devices are becoming cheaper and as
more people purchase them, I think people are going to be more accepting of
eBooks. I also think interactive eBooks are going to gain in popularity. An author could link directly to a YouTube video within an eBook. The author could include a video introduction to the book, or interactive quiz. I think there is a lot of potential for interactive eBooks.
I don’t think physical
books are going anywhere. There are always going to be people who prefer the physicality
of a book. There are also certain types of books that would never work as an
eBook. Many children’s books wouldn’t be the same as eBooks. Pop-up books and
lift the tab books wouldn’t work as well. Also, I think children need the type
of stimulation that an eBook cannot offer. Children can easily work smart
devices, but can they lift open a tab? Some books help children develop
skills, such as dexterity.
For better or for worse I
think self-publishing is going to increase. eBooks are so much cheaper and
easier to produce than paper books. Allowing people to self-publish books
results in big money for companies. While some self-published books are not too
great, there are some exceptions. There have been quite a few books that have
been published by large publishing houses after the author self-published.
I think the trend of
movie adaptations of books will increase. I am a bit scared that books are
going to be published specifically to become a movie. I’m not talking about
novel adaptations of movies, I’m talking about books only written to cash in. I
think if this begins to happen, the book and the movie will be subpar. Every
book should not be a movie. Some books only work as books, just as some movies
should not be books and only work as movies.
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