Do you think books are still popular/will they remain popular?

**chartreuse** · February 1st, 2010, 04:14 AM

i would seriously be heartbroken if books went away. literacy is one of my pet issues, so i get a little emotionally invested in stuff like this.

seriously though, it's startling how many people just don't read. i can't even count the number of people that i've heard in the last couple of years say that the twilight series are the ONLY books that they've ever read as adults. that is so OMGWTFBBQ?!?!?! to me. it is seriously hard for me to grasp that of all the freaking books in the world that twilight series is the ONLY stuff people will read. what is the world coming to, i ask you.

**Wiseguy** · February 1st, 2010, 05:20 AM

I'm a book lover as well, but school libraries in many schools are facing major challenges just getting kids to pick up a book and read it. I hope future generations don't let the book become redundant.

**Ravenna** · February 1st, 2010, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by kingcap72

I don't see books going out of style. The only thing that will change will be the typical paper books will fade away. Books will become completely electronic, where you can read them off of the Web or download them directly to your computer/phone.

I'm afraid so and I'm going to hate it. I need the tactile experience too. And I love just looking at books and seeing shelves lined with them and being surrounded by them in a library or book store. Damn Kindle.

But maybe printed paper books will make a comeback when glaucoma rates skyrocket

**LaFolie** · February 1st, 2010, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by Wiseguy

I'm a book lover as well, but school libraries in many schools are facing major challenges just getting kids to pick up a book and read it. I hope future generations don't let the book become redundant.

It reminds me of a lit teacher I know. Some kids (HS age) told her that there was no point to literature, as if doesn't get you money!

**chartreuse** · February 1st, 2010, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by LaFolie

It reminds me of a lit teacher I know. Some kids (HS age) told her that there was no point to literature, as if doesn't get you money!

dude! that is so messed up! ugh...

**witchcurlgirl** · February 1st, 2010, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by buttmunch

I can't imagine reading a book on a computer or phone. My eyes would give out, number one, and plus it's just not the same.

A few people I know with Kindles have been complaining about just that....the light seems to hurt the eyes after a bit.

**kingcap72** · February 1st, 2010, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenna

I'm afraid so and I'm going to hate it. I need the tactile experience too. And I love just looking at books and seeing shelves lined with them and being surrounded by them in a library or book store. Damn Kindle.

But maybe printed paper books will make a comeback when glaucoma rates skyrocket

Originally Posted by buttmunch

I agree. I love to curl up in bed with a book or, as someone mentioned, bring one into the tub or for a lengthy visit to the loo.

I can't imagine reading a book on a computer or phone. My eyes would give out, number one, and plus it's just not the same. Newspapers I can understand since I usually only buy them when I'm traveling or am going to eat alone or similar. Same with magazines.

I can't imagine reading a book on a computer or phone either, but I think that's where things are heading. I mean, everyone always thought newspapers and magazines would be around forever, but more of them are going out of business or converting to strictly online versions. Books are heading in that direction, too. The first sign is that so many bookstores are closing and more people are being forced to go online to buy books. Just a way for publishers to get the public accustomed to going to the Web for books.

Right now, people are reading less paper books, newspapers, and magazines, because the Internet has just become a more convenient way to read. And we have a new generation that has never known a world without the Internet. And electronic books or ebooks are already on the rise.

eBooks.com The World's Leading Source of eBooks

**AliceInWonderland** · February 1st, 2010, 12:29 PM

i like books, turning the page to find out whats next when im so immersed in a book im reading is very satisfying. im one of those people who will never get into a damn kindle! i do enough reading of a computer screen at work and its the last thing i want to do when im on my personal time. but thats just me. im sure generations to come will beg to differ

**buttmunch** · February 1st, 2010, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by ang

i would seriously be heartbroken if books went away. literacy is one of my pet issues, so i get a little emotionally invested in stuff like this.

seriously though, it's startling how many people just don't read. i can't even count the number of people that i've heard in the last couple of years say that the twilight series are the ONLY books that they've ever read as adults. that is so OMGWTFBBQ?!?!?! to me. it is seriously hard for me to grasp that of all the freaking books in the world that twilight series is the ONLY stuff people will read. what is the world coming to, i ask you.

It's weird because one of my heathens reads everything he can get his hands on while the other will only read comics, internet stuff, and maybe a book or magazine that is directly related to what he's interested in at that particular moment. We've always read to them from pretty much birth and they still both love to be read TO, but there you go. Some just aren't natural readers. I know who I'll be leaving all the dosh to in the will: THE ONE WHO READS ALOUD TO ME IN MY OLD AGE.

**cmmdee** · February 2nd, 2010, 12:54 PM

I don't think books will go away, either. It's one of my favorite hobbies...reading. It's sad when I hear kids saying proudly they've never read a book. Twats!

**NVash** · February 2nd, 2010, 01:02 PM

I dont think theyll ever go away. Maybe theyll all go electronic via Kindles and Nooks, things like that but theyll probably never go away. Myself, I have both versions, I prefer the feeling of having a book in my back pocket at all times, but I also like having one on my Droid or iTouch, because then Im not so concerned about losing it.

**Lenny** · February 3rd, 2010, 10:45 AM

I prefer paper books to reading on a computer. You can take a book into the bathtub, you can read in bed and fall asleep with the book still in bed without having to be afraid that you crush it, you don't have to be afraid that the batteries die, you can read on the beach and don't have to worry that sand gets into it, it's easier on the eyes...When I study I always highlight important paragraphs, so I can remember it better. Ebooks have the advantage that you can store a lot of them on one device and ou don't have to carry so much weight, but in the end I still like paper books better.

**GaPeach** · February 4th, 2010, 04:27 PM

I have friends who do E books or the kindle thing.
I have quite a few books on tape, mostly the classics. When I get into listening to books on tape I don't read and it takes a while to get back into reading.

Thing is there is a lot of crap out there. I went to the Emerald Coast Convention a few years ago and they said that paranormal romance was the upcoming thing. I thought they were nuts... look at me reading Sookie Stackhouse. They also said the market for writers had shrunk by 30 percent.

Maybe they've lost some of their readers because of the poor quality of new material being put out there. I mean really The Twilight series? Who the hell edited that?

I read but I get really ticked when I get into a series and then the author (Dan Brown, Karen Moning, John Gresham..) starts writing fluff just to meet a dead line.

J.K. Rowling might not be the best writer I've ever read but she didn't sell out. She took her character on a journey then once it was over she quit. She could have made a lot more money but she knew it was time to quit...... a lot more authors should do the same thing.. Laurel Hamilton retire Anita Blake.

**kingcap72** · February 4th, 2010, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by GaPeach

I have friends who do E books or the kindle thing.
I have quite a few books on tape, mostly the classics. When I get into listening to books on tape I don't read and it takes a while to get back into reading.

Thing is there is a lot of crap out there. I went to the Emerald Coast Convention a few years ago and they said that paranormal romance was the upcoming thing. I thought they were nuts... look at me reading Sookie Stackhouse. They also said the market for writers had shrunk by 30 percent.

Maybe they've lost some of their readers because of the poor quality of new material being put out there. I mean really The Twilight series? Who the hell edited that?

I read but I get really ticked when I get into a series and then the author (Dan Brown, Karen Moning, John Gresham..) starts writing fluff just to meet a dead line.

J.K. Rowling might not be the best writer I've ever read but she didn't sell out. She took her character on a journey then once it was over she quit. She could have made a lot more money but she knew it was time to quit...... a lot more authors should do the same thing.. Laurel Hamilton retire Anita Blake.

I was a fan of Grisham's work back in the day, along with Walter Mosley, Terry McMillan and Jackie Collins (shut up

). But they all just lost me at some point. That's why I tend to stick with James Patterson. I've been reading his books since the late 90's and he hasn't disappointed me yet.

**NVash** · February 4th, 2010, 05:34 PM

Im sure Laurel will do that the day after Charlaine Harris retires Sookie Stackhouse, and by that I mean no time soon. Sad that these paranormal romance books are catching on because its turning otherwise good stories into cheap porn. Thats all Anita is nowadays and Im sure Laurel is trying to pass it off as a romance.