This is a lengthy response to John Green's recent YouTube video about the state of the book industry. It really struck a chord with me, and I found the response space to be not nearly enough to fully explore my feelings. Here is a link to the video in question.
This may never be read, but here goes anyway:
Quite frankly, (and especially as someone who works in the book industry), I'm terrified by the current lack of respect for books. I have loved books since before I learned how to read them - books are magic. I think the problem is that people aren't brought up with that respect that I was - books are seen now as expensive and labor intensive. Anything that's more difficult than Twilight is too much work for some kids.
"They" (all the book moguls) thought E-books would be the solution to this problem, but E-books don't satisfy the true book lovers and are too expensive for people who will read something only if it's cheap and easy.
I feel like the current youth need more inspiring reads - take Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It bridges the gap between picture book and young reader books, and kids like it - we NEED more books like that. But we also need more books that will transcend that and bridge the next gap, books that will grow with those children who haven't yet developed the hatred that is inspired by teachers making them read things and do book reports.
Also, do away with book reports! How many kids do a book report without even reading the book? What lesson do they get, what inspiration?
The truth is, I don't know the solution, but I have a feeling that it's similar to the solutions to many of the other problems the world faces at this time - individuals have to stand up and do something about it.
Buy a book. Read to children. Read. Just read.
