Every other week someone says that books are dead or dying, that just around the corner is the black hour when they will be curiosities like stereopticon slides or milk stools -- probably the same thing they said when radio was invented, when television flickered its way into our living rooms.
To some the phrase means sluggish book sales in the recent and lingering recession, to others it means that the old gray novel ain't what it used to be. Not a few associate the obliteration of distinguished literary houses and imprints in the age of the corporate takeover as synonymous with the inevitable disappearance of books. The hearse followers mournfully announce that no one reads these days, can't read, won't read. It doesn't strike them as peculiar that there is a fierce scramble among corporate interests to buy the publishing houses that put out these dying books.
It's possible that the premature obituaries merely cover our confusion about the clouded direction of change in the culture. As the big publishers try for bestsellers at the expense of serious books, it is increasingly the small publishers and university presses that are finding and publishing the books of interesting new writers.
Books once rather scornfully considered grist for the small publisher's mill are catching the reading public's interest. Among the new books published last year were important works of fiction from Arab-Americans, African-Americans, Chinese-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Caribbean-Americans, Native Americans and others. The so-called and novel is beginning to escape the genre closet and stand on bookstore shelves alongside traditional works.
Book groups, an old idea, are everywhere. Books are moving into motel and hotel rooms, where a year ago one could find only a single title in a black binding. Now thousands of copies of Joel Conarroe's "Six American Poets" engage travelers in lonely rooms across the continent. There are guidebooks to used bookshops, and a few imaginative independent booksellers thrive in the shadow of ever-increasing numbers of superstores.
Those who say the book is moribund often cite the computer as the asp on the mat. But the electronic highway is for bulletin boards on esoteric subjects, reference works, lists and news -- timely, utilitarian information, efficiently pulled through the wires. Nobody is going to sit down and read a novel on a twitchy little screen. Ever.
In a curious way the computer emphasizes the unique virtues of the book:
The book is small, lightweight and durable, and can be stuffed in a coat pocket, read in the waiting room, on the plane. What are planes but flying reading rooms?
Books give esthetic and tactile pleasure, from the dust jacket art to the binding, paper, typography and text design, from the moment of purchase until the last page is turned.
Books speak even when they stand unopened on the shelf. If you would know a man or woman, look at their books, not their software.
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Can someone explain me what the hell is going on with that article? I can't understand a single word and it's due today, in 2 hours from now, please help me understand what it all means!!!
This article describes (in generalizations in the first two paragraphs!) the decline or even the death of books -- that soon there won't be new books published anymore, and that books will be considered curiosities (rare and stranges things of the past).
But then (starting in the 3rd paragraph) the article goes on to say why that generalization is incorrect.
Can you see these things? Can you see the differences between what is being said in paragraphs 1 and 2 and what is being said in the rest? Do you see the shift in paragraph 3?
Let me know.
=)
The article is discussing the debate regarding the future of books. Some people believe that books are dying or becoming obsolete, similar to how stereopticon slides or milk stools were once popular but are now outdated. They argue that factors like sluggish book sales during the recession and the corporate takeover of publishing houses contribute to the decline of books. However, others argue that this viewpoint may stem from a lack of understanding about the changing cultural landscape.
While big publishers focus on bestsellers, small publishers and university presses are discovering and publishing books by new and interesting writers. Books that were once considered less significant are now gaining the interest of readers, such as works by Arab-Americans, African-Americans, Chinese-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Caribbean-Americans, Native Americans, and LGBTQ+ authors. Book groups are becoming popular, and books are even appearing in motel and hotel rooms.
The article dismisses the idea that the computer is replacing books, suggesting that computers are more suited for providing practical and timely information rather than leisurely reading. It highlights the unique qualities of books, such as their portability, aesthetic value (dust jacket art, binding, typography), and the insight they provide into a person's character through their book collection.
Overall, the article is challenging the notion that books are dying or becoming irrelevant, presenting arguments in favor of their continued significance in a changing world.
The article you are referring to is discussing the debate around the future of books. Some people argue that books are dying or will soon become obsolete, similar to other forms of media like stereopticon slides or milk stools. This fear has been expressed in the past when new technologies like radio and television were introduced.
There are different reasons why people believe books are disappearing. Some point to sluggish book sales during the recent recession, while others think that the quality of literature has declined. The consolidation of publishing houses under corporate ownership is seen by some as a sign that books are becoming less important. However, it is interesting to note that despite these concerns, there is a scramble among corporate interests to acquire these supposedly dying publishing houses.
However, it is possible that these premature predictions about the death of books stem from our confusion about the changing cultural landscape. While large publishers focus on bestsellers at the expense of more serious literature, small publishers and university presses are finding and publishing works by new and interesting writers. Books that were once considered only suitable for small publishers are now gaining the interest of readers. For example, important works of fiction by authors from diverse backgrounds, such as Arab-Americans, African-Americans, Chinese-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Caribbean-Americans, and Native Americans, are being published.
Additionally, genres that were once considered niche, like and novels, are now being displayed alongside traditional works on bookstore shelves. Book groups, which have been around for a long time, are also becoming increasingly popular. Books are even making their way into motel and hotel rooms, where previously only a single title was available. Guidebooks to used bookshops exist, and independent booksellers are thriving despite the presence of large chain stores.
Some people attribute the decline of books to the rise of computers and the internet. However, the article argues that computers are primarily used for practical purposes like reference works, lists, and news. It suggests that people are unlikely to sit down and read a novel on a computer screen.
In a peculiar way, the article argues that computers actually highlight the unique qualities of books. Books are small, lightweight, and durable, which allows them to be easily carried and read in various settings, like waiting rooms or on planes. The physical experience of owning a book, from the art on the dust jacket to the binding, paper, typography, and design, provides aesthetic and tactile pleasure. Moreover, the presence of books on a shelf can also speak to a person's interests and personality, providing insight into who they are.
In summary, the article explores the debate surrounding the future of books, discusses the factors contributing to concerns about their demise, and highlights the continued importance and unique qualities of physical books in an increasingly digital age.