Recently, the President of the United States made an announcement that took the literary world by surprise. In his State of the Union address, he mentioned that it was time to get our books in order and proposed legislation to change how books are published and distributed in America. Critics from all areas have weighed in on this issue, but it remains to be seen how these proposals will affect publishing as a whole and what impact they might have on authors and readers alike. Join us as we explore these proposals and their potential effects on the future of books and literature in America.

The state of literacy in America

Literacy rates are surprisingly low, with an estimated 90 million adults having literacy skills that don't meet their needs. This is a concern for many reasons, not the least of which is that it's more difficult to provide a solid foundation for children who want to pursue careers in science and technology if they don't have a strong understanding of STEM concepts.

The rise of ebooks

Books that are not trade-published usually only have one chance for success. There's no such thing as a best-seller list for self-published authors, because there's no way to know how many copies are sold. The rise of ebooks is allowing independent publishing to thrive, but it also has resulted in an oversaturated market. With so many books available, it can be difficult for readers to separate the wheat from the chaff. It is challenging to find time to read every book published by major publishers, let alone every book published by smaller publishers. In spite of these difficulties, reading remains an integral part of American culture. The average American household contains about 40 books. Reading helps children develop skills like literacy and vocabulary, which will help them succeed in school. The benefits don't stop at childhood; adults who read regularly are more likely to live longer than those who do not. Reading for pleasure allows people to experience the world through someone else's perspective; it expands their understanding of history, geography, and culture; and opens up new worlds they may never have otherwise experienced.

The importance of public libraries

Public libraries are more important than ever before. They offer so much for their communities, from free books to meeting rooms to computer labs and more. This is why it's so important to make sure your library is supported by your community. Even if you don't personally visit a library, you can make an impact by volunteering or helping fund a project.

Book recommendations

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr: 

This beautifully written novel is set during World War II and tells two intertwining stories. One is about a blind French girl, Marie-Laure, who lives with her father in Paris near the Museum of Natural History where he works as the master locksmith. The other story follows a German boy, Werner, who grew up with an abusive father; Werner becomes an expert at building radios.