Do Books Have a Future ?
Being so closely involved in books and the secondhand and collectable book trade I could be accused of being over sensitive to ripples in the rarefied world of books - that may be so - but it doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
I saw today something which I took to be another nail in the coffin for the traditional book
The Times on Saturday has had a separate 20 odd page book section in the form of a supplement for as long as I can remember - they’re getting rid of it !
I find this very significant as newspapers are run by canny people whose interest extends no further than circulation - give their readers exactly what they want.
Presumably then, there is no longer sufficient reader interest in their excellent book section !
Much has been made of the demise of actual books in libraries, information now readily on the internet negating the need for non-fiction books. Even electronic books such as Kindle onto which you can download books.
Whilst all these undoubtedly have some effect I believe the true Biblio Grim Reaper takes the form of apathy.
Less and less people are interested in books and reading !
Secondhand bookshops have been disappearing at alarming rates, in many areas the only place to buy secondhand books are charity shops these survive thanks to unpaid staff, free stock and reduced shop rents and rates.
I think a diminution in reading is something that was bound to happen given the rise in entertainment options available in our modern society. This is something relatively modern with the advent of TV and the internet etc but what is telling is that interest continues to wane despite the fact that no new means of entertainment have appeared in the last decade !
Whilst there are still some strong new book sales what is it that’s actually selling ?
Glancing at the best seller charts proves telling - anything shallow and celebrity based.
Autobiographies of 22 year old footballers and the life and Times of topless models and reality show rejects.
If things continue in the same vane then we’ll soon reach a tipping point at which those secondhand and independent new bookshops that have survived will no longer become viable and disappear forever.
The only place to buy books will be a small section in big supermarkets and Amazon.
Whilst Amazon carry an impressive selection of stock it’s not like browsing a bookshop - you only see what you search for - you’ll never come across that gem you never knew existed.
what’s the answer - well i don’t know if there is one !
What I would say is:
If you don’t read then give it a go - you’re missing out big time
If you do buy books support your local shops
Books have played an integral part of my life, they have not only given me a great deal of pleasure but also a living - they have improved my mind, added to my sum of knowledge and enabled my to improve my ability to write. They’ve provided a means of escape and comfort in trying times.
Books can make a very real difference - it would be a tragedy if future generations miss out on all the benefits of reading !
Are Books Dead ?
Do People Still Buy Books
R.I.P. Books
Little Brother said,
January 19, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
Rod,
I was reading an article by one of the top food and travel authors of the modern era and she said that she was in real fear for the future of books and what level of relevance would future generations place on them. A sad thought indeed.
LB
juli said,
January 24, 2009 @ 6:28 pm
An interesting one - personally the idea of the end of books as we know them terrifies me, but then I’ve always been an avid reader, so may well be in the minority. Something I did discover the other day that left me seething was that charity shops apparently often throw perfectly good books away!
I suspect the rise of the internet is having a very bad effect on bookshops, particularly the individual shops, as they simply can’t compete with the prices and offers of the large chains and the online retailers.
I can’t ever see the end of the traditional book. But maybe I’m just burying my head in the sand?
Rod said,
January 24, 2009 @ 7:30 pm
Hi Juli,
charity shops discard more boks than they sell I’m afraid.
Most of the books Oxfma used to get were sold for pulping !
Others throw anything out bar new ’shiny’ books, ironically often discarding the only ones of real value !
I don’t think we’ll ever see the end of books totally ut I think it’ll be harder to be able to find a bookshop outside of cities and also ‘quality’ books and things never destined to be bestsellers may well fall by the wayside.
All the best
Rod
Ray said,
June 6, 2010 @ 9:23 am
Books will never die no matter the challenge posed by electronic devices ie internet.This is because as years go by more and more books get published so let as hope more bookshops will be established to cater for the growth of books.
Books will never rest in peace[die].They will continue growing for a long time.
Rod said,
June 6, 2010 @ 9:36 am
Ray,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
I do hope you’re correct though sadly bookshop statistics show shop numbers are in decline.
Best wishes
Rod