Are the Number of Novel and Poetry Readers Declining?

John Hewitt, of PoeWar.com, has posed an interesting question regarding the decline in readers for novels and books of poetry: do you think this trend will continue?

Even better, why do you suppose the number of readers has been declining over the last decade or so?

After giving it some thought, I could only come up with one possible reason: the increase in interest of the digital world. Or, more specifically, audio books. I know it’s a stretch, but I have a feeling it may have a good deal to do with it.

The audio book industry has done nothing but pick up steam for the last few years. With many people trying to cut corners and save time, audio books make the perfect substitute. Wouldn’t you think? Why sit still and read for two hours (who has that kind of lounge time?), when you could be listening to your favorite book in, let’s say, your daily commute?

I’m sure there are other factors involved, but this one sticks out at me the most. Of course, I could be completely missing the point, or may be way off base here.

If you can think of any reasons to the above problem, let me know. I’d love to hear from you!

Comments

[Homesha]

Dont think so. Inspite of changes in lifestyle, people who are really interested in books (including novels and poetry)continue to read. The more determined writes.

[Bryan D. Catherman]

Some of it might be that people use to go to these things for the social side. Now everybody has a blog community, my space, or 50 e-mails of poetry in their e-mail every day. People are making less and less time to do things in the real world anymore, myself included.