Week Sixteen Prompt

How have reading and books changed since you were a child, for you specifically? Second, talk a little about what you see in the future for reading, books, or publishing - say 20 years from now. Will we read more or less, will our reading become more interactive? What will happen to traditional publishing? 

Aside from the obvious changes (i.e. going from picture books to novels), I enjoy reading more as an adult than I did as a child. Don't get me wrong, I loved reading as a child/young adult loved getting caught up in book series and collecting them and devouring them in days... however, now I find myself reading to relax and unwind.  It's nice to have some time to myself without any interruptions, questions, problems - just me, a book, and a glass of wine (when I'm not pregnant).

I feel that with the increase in technology, the future of reading will increase.  Reading has become easier for some people with the additions of audiobooks and e-books and books are way more accessible now.  You could easily download and start a book you want to read with just a few clicks of the mouse.  With that said, I don’t see physical books dying out anytime soon, because there are so many people like me who enjoy have “real” books on hand.  I find a lot of millennials are using the library these days, choosing to rent a book rather than purchase them, which could affect publishing, but I’m not quite sure how...

I can see reading becoming more and more interactive in the future, with the addition of celebrity book clubs and social media.  People love to connect and discuss books with other likeminded people.  People love to post about what they’re reading, what they’ve read, what they liked and what they didn’t.  I think celebrities posting their favorite books inspire their fans to read more, because their fans idolize them and want to feel as close to them as possible.