Readers Are Back

You know what people say: "Kids today play video games, they don't read." "No one cares about books." "People don't want to pick up a book when they can watch TV." "These kids today are illiterate." "Get off my lawn!"

But apparently people are heading back to books. Specifically libraries. This article by author Ann Patchett discusses how more people are returning to reading, and how books are still relevant in our lives. She writes:

"The rumor is we'll play around with a Kindle or an I-Book for awhile but eventually give up on the whole endeavor, the logic being who would want to read a book when there are so many enticing video games to play and Web sites to surf. But I'm more of the Charlton Heston school: you'll get my paperback of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" away from me when you pry it out of my cold, dead hands."

Hehehe. Nice reference.

I feel the same way. There's nothing like a real book in your hands. And now, because of the economy, people are looking for cheaper methods of entertainment. It's hard to go to the movies every weekend, because that's $10 a ticket. And even the television and internet take electricity. But a library card gets you tons of books for free. Plus:

"A movie can give you two hours of entertainment, but a book can go on for days or even weeks."

Of course, I'm still a little scared for the publishing industry. But hopefully this is a good gateway for readers.