Has reading gone out of style?

Think about some of your favorite authors.

What makes them your favorite?

If you’re anything like me, you want something that is easy to read, has engaging characters, and a coherent plot. Throw in a little suspense, a colorful setting, and maybe even some social commentary if you’re into that sort of thing.

In other words, you read to be entertained.

In this era of constant input and technology that is outdated by the time it hits the shelves, there is still one constant in all of our lives.

Books.

Whether on paper or tablet, I still say that reading a good book scan beat most forms of (often brain-cell-killing) entertainment.

Even with bookstores closing all over the country (and yes, to this day, I mourn the loss of Borders and Waldenbooks) I feel that the market for novels has never been stronger. While “serious” writers bemoan the popularity of the Twilight series and Fifty Shades of Grey, they are missing a bigger point.

That point is that people are reading. And that is never a bad thing.

Do I think the Twilight books are poorly written? Sure, but I’m sure I’ll have people say the same thing about my book.

Do I want to read Fifty Shades? Not on your life. But who am I to argue with 60 million other people? I’m happy as hell for E. L. James for finding a way to make more money than she can spend in a lifetime doing what she loves.

Wouldn’t most of us kill to say that about ourselves?

Anyhow, back to my original point…book are not going anywhere.

Look at the popularity of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and anything by John Green. Not to mention Harry Potter.

These books are written to target a teen audience. And they are making tons of money.

Today’s teens seem to have a reputation of being self-absorbed, helpless tech-zombies, who play shooters and stare at their iPhones all day.

But you know what? They’re still reading. And while the preferred format of books may change over time, the idea of them never will.

Books will survive as long as there are people on this planet, so keep reading and keep writing.