Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Walter Mason on The Future of Reading




A Buddhist bookshop in Ho Chi Minh City
Recently I was chatting to my friend Dianne Masri and she told me that the last three books she has purchased were suggested to her by people on Twitter. What’s more, of those three books, all three authors contacted her directly after she mentioned them on Twitter – and these included some big names. Like it or not, the world of social media is already affecting how and what people read. And interaction between author and reader is at a depth and immediacy that couldn’t even have been imagined even six years ago.

In many ways reading has become more charged with emotion. It has become once again a communal activity – just witness the enormous growth in popularity of book clubs and writers’ festivals. People want to share their ideas, and they want to share spaces with other people who read. It seems that at last the bookish people might be inheriting the world.

Stephanie Dowrick and I felt called to create the UniversalHeart Book Club because we wanted to share the process of reading, and the discovery of new stories and ideas, with like-minded people all across the world. When there is so much doom and gloom surrounding the future of publishing, the future of reading and the future of the book itself, we wanted to raise our flag and say: “Guess what? We love reading, we love books and we love writers. Let’s celebrate this love.”

So, donning my prophet’s hat (I’m not telling you what it looks like), I am going to stick my neck out and make a few predictions about the future of reading: 

The ebook is here to stay and its popularity will grow incredibly quickly – OK, so you don’t have to be Nostradamus to work this one out, but some people are still cautious (including many publishers). I finally relented recently when a precious friend gave me a Kindle reader. And to be honest, it’s the most fun I’ve had with a piece of technology for a long while. 

The paper book will live on, but will become an increasingly beautiful and valued object – Yes, tough times are coming for paper-based publishing. Indeed, they may well have arrived. But a book is a beautiful thing of immense cultural significance. I predict that the paper book and the ebook will diverge and develop into very different media. 

There will be a renaissance of literary societies – As everything ever published slowly becomes available in digital formats, book geekery will only grow. Shakespeare societies, Austen clubs and Dickens fellowships will flourish in a self-conscious emulation of the old Victorian model of literary study. People seek, not just other readers, but other readers who enjoy the same books as them. I am about to join the E. F. Benson Society, and I wonder if there is an Oscar Wilde Society? And should I establish a Nancy Mitford Society?

The library will flourish – I tear my hair out when I read about local authorities all over the world starving libraries of funds. I don’t know a library anywhere that isn’t thriving. Sure, the services they provide are changing, but essentially they remain hubs of learning. They are also, increasingly, becoming important venues for the propagation and promotion of local literary cultures.

Am I right on, or am I a naive fool living in the past?
I’d love to hear what you think – do leave a comment and let us know your predictions for the future of reading.

11 comments:

  1. I'm inclined to agree with your sageness but I'm not sure why. Holding a book, or magazine, in your hand simply cannot be emulated by technology. That said, having half a century of a magazine stashed on your hard drive is a valuable personal resource. An expanding consciousness and quest for knowledge will need all resources, paper and electronic.

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  2. Dear Walter,I do not think that you are an anachronistic,'naive fool living in the past'.If this is the case,you are not alone.There are very many of us who also cherish the published book & article in their original paper format!They are lovely items to 'have & to hold' & preferably to own. They must meet some special need that we have that ensures that they are there if we wish to re-read them,refer to them or just accompany us in life! I cannot quite decide if 'We are the children of our books, or they are akin to being our children'.We are invariably influenced by reading them; however, we have usually chosen them to come into our lives'.Last year I developed significant asthma & took advantage of this occurrence to 'declutter my home'...This is a 'goal' I have been working on for the last decade:obviously very SLOWLY,& possibly somewhat reluctantly !! Most of my so called clutter is in fact paperwork:articles;'downloaded' photocopied articles;journals & correspondence.Inevitably most of it had to go.What I did find hardest was to choose which of my many books I could manage without.It was exceptionally difficult.I have already had to cull many of my books in the past, having moved on more than a few occasions.I would have loved to have kept them all, including some of those of my now long deceased parents.Sadly,the removal 'quoted fees'required that some items had to become expendable... Invariably, over time I replaced many of those books,often from 'opportunity shops' :a great source of some wonderful, but no longer 'in print'volumes....Yes,I have already 'replaced' some volumes that I gave away last May! Whilst I have browsed thru 'e books',I cannot'connect' with them,nor consider them an alternative to a much treasured book.For these I am more than happy to find a place in my home,having already a place for them in my heart...Dear Walter,you are very far from being alone in loving real books with which we can surround ourselves.They often tell their own bibliography of our lives.Like music, plays,world events we may recall where & when we first read,certain books that have contributed to us becoming the individuals we now are...and indeed the individulals we are still evolving & becoming!Long may the printed book remain with us!Best wishes,Maggie A.

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  3. Oh Maggie - I am so glad I am not alone! And, like you, my home is exceedingly "cluttered" with books and magazines and other wonderful items of knowledge :-)

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  4. i am happy to join you anachronistic naive foolery team Walter. From my earliest years books have been like breath to me and luckily my love was fostered and indulged by loving booky grandparents and parents. i had to become a teacher librarian to share my love with children and young adult readers. i married a book reader and raised four booky children and now am sharing books with my three old grandson. i had to buy three Harry Potters and still one of us would appropriate a copy surreptitiously to indulge. needless to say life would standstill for the time. i have read e books but i restrict it to texts while i study as university libraries are heading solidly towards the virtual. "sigh". I find i have to download articles etc as i find it distracting to try and "flip" through to find the information i would normally post it note and spread texts sensuously over my desk. I have books that i broke my own rules on writing in or underlining precious words. These are the books that have entered my life in times of need, popping out at me from walls or tables burgeoning with treasures of my favourite book shops or given to me by dear wise friends or through recommendations of people like you and Stephanie. Book =The feel, the smell, the ability to flip backwards and forwards, or sinfully read the ending first, the beauty of it sharing space on my bookshelves.... i bought a children's picture book a couple of years back that sums it up entitled "It's a Book" - "... and it doesn't need batteries". oh joy

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    1. Dear Peta, how wonderful to have had a career in the world of children, books and reading.I am quite envious that you now have grandchildren to buy books for,and importantly to read to and with.These were my most favourite times with my own sons.As they approached adulthood I discouraged them from owning motorbikes and marrying at too young an age.In spite of this I assiduously amassed a large collection of childrens' books.Of late I have had to curb this enthusiasm, but continue buying books for other children and adults alike.And yes, both my sons remain unmarried!Though I feel the twinkle in their eyes could mean that I may not have too much longer to wait!Spending time with children provides us with the opportunity to experience the sheer unalloyed pleasure of being fully in the pesent magical moment ... often accessed through the wonderful medium of books! Joy.

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  5. Hello Joy, you are so right about the pleasure of children for me it is through the eyes of children that i am reminded of my own inner child- thoughts, feelings, awe... reading stories was my favourite time as a teacher librarian and now with Max. i also loved teasing older children by reading exciting bits and stopping at a dramatic revelation, this got their interest piqued and there would be a mad rush to claim it. It also surprised me to find that adults also love to be read to, and here it was me thinking that it was only me who enjoyed the experience! i would encourage you and anyone who is interested in sharing their love of books and reading to contact a group that connects grandparents to families that either don't have grandparents or live too far away from - adopt a Grandparent http://www.adoptagrandparent.com.au/index.php - there are also schools that encourage grandparents/older adults to participate in their reading enrichment programmes - check in your area. These opportunities will spread your love of reading in happy preparation for your future grandchildren, while benefiting children in your area. i cannot pass the picture book section in any bookshop and have amassed an eclectic collection that appeals to me and my grandson. Yes i really don't think hard copy books will disappear in the near future Walter, there are too many of us that enjoy them too much. much pleasure is ahead of you Joy.

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    1. Dear Peta, Thank you for the information regarding reading schemes linking adults with children.What a wonderfully creative pairing.I can certainly see that your chosen profession must have been a mutually rewarding experience for yourself and those in whom you helped to foster a love of reading. Really good childrens' books are a wise long term investment in my opinion.I am certainly looking forwards to obtaining Stephanie Dowrick's new release: 'The Moon Shines Out of the Darkness'. I may not be a Grandmother yet, however, many of my friends are! And how could I not also have two extra copies 'to put aside' for the future! Like 'A thing of beauty, I feel that a good book is also a joy forever!' Joy.

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    2. Thank you, i really loved my time as a Teacher Librarian i learnt so much from all those hundreds of children who spent time with me.

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    3. I have only just discovered this site and I know this thread is old, but I just have to reply and agree with you Walter. I enjoy "real" books but also love reading on both my eReader (so light and convenient) and my tablet. I am shocked when I hear members of my reading group say that they never want to buy another "real" book because of the clutter. I can't see books as clutter - many that I keep are old friends and have been passed on to other family members and friends providing entertainment, food for thought and family discussion topics long after their purchase. Long love the book in ALL it's forms, say I

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    4. Comments are so welcome no matter how long it is since the original article was published. This whole book club site is set up to remain "fresh" - which is also what the best books do! They can be years old, and utterly "now". "Long love the book"could be our motto! Thank you and please keep commenting.

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  6. Do enjoy the article we have just posted (December 2012) from Peta Kelly on reader activism and how books have seen her through tough times!

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