Why have ordinary paper and cardboard books become so warmly embraced by celebrities, influencers and general bibliophiles? Are books a welcome relief from algorithms, computers and the encroaching AI? It’s true that books are informative, educational and wonderfully entertaining. However, recently the popularity of books seems to have surged. For decades school librarians have tried to invent innovative ways to encourage students to read, such as dressing up as book characters and creating library displays. People of all ages may benefit from the literacy and socialisation skills provided by reading a range of materials. It seems that this understanding is spreading to more diverse demographics.
i completely agree! there’s something about a book — truly analog, asking nothing of you — that is refreshingly and deeply different from screens. that’s enough in and of itself!
I completely agree. Especially from an educational viewpoint it’s important to market reading. Literacy is decreasing, teens are reading less. If people actually pick up some books through (celebrity) book clubs and start reading, it could do a lot of good (especially in the long run).
Emma, I would love to hear your opinion on the disgustingly well-read trend. I feel like it’s in a similar vein but quite different to influencers making reading trendy🥲
I think it’s more tiktok based but people are curating reading lists of classis and high-brow literature which you need to read if you want to be “disgustingly well read”.
I don’t like it because it feels like it turns reading into some kind of competition/virtue signal but I’m open to other perspectives.
Yes!!! I clicked on this notification tooo quickly because I feel the same way. Who even careessss why somebody picked up a book, it's just great that they have
I loved this. I relate so much to being the third grader reading at recess. That line brought me right back to those days! I've always believed that books shape not only what we think, but how we see the world. If influencers help more people discover literature, even for aesthetic reasons at first, that's a win. Sometimes all it takes is one book to change the way someone sees the world.
I love that reading is cool again! And even if the trend fades in a few years, we will still have all the lifers to keep us company until the next wave.
I love that reading can be considered cool but I am scared of people who are only buying and holding books for the photos and never open them... But if they help sales, by all means!
Why have ordinary paper and cardboard books become so warmly embraced by celebrities, influencers and general bibliophiles? Are books a welcome relief from algorithms, computers and the encroaching AI? It’s true that books are informative, educational and wonderfully entertaining. However, recently the popularity of books seems to have surged. For decades school librarians have tried to invent innovative ways to encourage students to read, such as dressing up as book characters and creating library displays. People of all ages may benefit from the literacy and socialisation skills provided by reading a range of materials. It seems that this understanding is spreading to more diverse demographics.
i completely agree! there’s something about a book — truly analog, asking nothing of you — that is refreshingly and deeply different from screens. that’s enough in and of itself!
I completely agree. Especially from an educational viewpoint it’s important to market reading. Literacy is decreasing, teens are reading less. If people actually pick up some books through (celebrity) book clubs and start reading, it could do a lot of good (especially in the long run).
agreed!!
Emma, I would love to hear your opinion on the disgustingly well-read trend. I feel like it’s in a similar vein but quite different to influencers making reading trendy🥲
oh i haven’t heard about this one!!
I think it’s more tiktok based but people are curating reading lists of classis and high-brow literature which you need to read if you want to be “disgustingly well read”.
I don’t like it because it feels like it turns reading into some kind of competition/virtue signal but I’m open to other perspectives.
this is crazy! i don’t like the sound of that either!
Totally agree on this 💭 i don’t see why the act of reading itself is being called performative tbh 😂👌
i agree!!! people saying readers on public transit are performative is nonsense to me
Yay! More opinion pieces! And I totally agree <3
thank you and thank you!
I strongly agree.
this is the biggest seal of approval
Yes!!! I clicked on this notification tooo quickly because I feel the same way. Who even careessss why somebody picked up a book, it's just great that they have
exactly!
I loved this. I relate so much to being the third grader reading at recess. That line brought me right back to those days! I've always believed that books shape not only what we think, but how we see the world. If influencers help more people discover literature, even for aesthetic reasons at first, that's a win. Sometimes all it takes is one book to change the way someone sees the world.
i could not agree more michelle! thank you so well put
I love that reading is cool again! And even if the trend fades in a few years, we will still have all the lifers to keep us company until the next wave.
so well put!!
I love that reading can be considered cool but I am scared of people who are only buying and holding books for the photos and never open them... But if they help sales, by all means!
i don’t think that’s such a bad thing either! there are many bookworms who are guilty of buying more books they can read for example
I love writing book reviews! My latest
https://editoronboard.substack.com/p/three-excellent-new-books-from-indie?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3fwf9