There are lots of reasons you have access to literary greats, and you are correct in deducing it's because people aren't reading better novels and non-fiction these days. Think about how the world has changed since we were in college. People are doing so much more reading online, and while they are there they are chatting. Women, who buy 60% of books (esp. fiction), have entered the work force big time. That cut back on reading time, for sure.In response to fewer books being read or sold, publishing houses have consolidated. The only bright spot is Kindle, allowing people to read in so many more places without having to carry pounds of pages. Bookpod advanced knowledge of "books of lasting value"--it's not like the African village that burned down--Boodpod got me to read a couple of books I otherwise would never have picked up.
There are lots of reasons you have access to literary greats, and you are correct in deducing it's because people aren't reading better novels and non-fiction these days. Think about how the world has changed since we were in college. People are doing so much more reading online, and while they are there they are chatting. Women, who buy 60% of books (esp. fiction), have entered the work force big time. That cut back on reading time, for sure.In response to fewer books being read or sold, publishing houses have consolidated. The only bright spot is Kindle, allowing people to read in so many more places without having to carry pounds of pages. Bookpod advanced knowledge of "books of lasting value"--it's not like the African village that burned down--Boodpod got me to read a couple of books I otherwise would never have picked up.