What can you do to help? Buy books!

I wrote the other day about tough times in the publishing business. Even in a strong economic climate, publishing is a challenged industry. But it's not hopeless. I firmly believe that people are willing to buy and read books. I think the problem is that too often we just don't think of it. It's easier to watch TV or go to the movies or just surf the 'net.

So what can we do as consumers to help? Buy books! Buy books for ourselves. Give books as gifts. Recommend books to friends and family members. Eat in once this week and buy a book instead. Whatever. We need to support our industry and encourage others to do likewise.

Now that the holiday season is upon us, this is the perfect time to put this plan into action. Instead of giving your loved ones a scarf they'll never wear or an iPod they don't really need, buy them a book instead. If you can't think of a good one, give them a gift card. (Everyone likes a gift card.)

Books not only represents hours of entertainment, knowledge and diversion, they're also food for the soul. It's no coincidence that the smartest, most successful, interesting and informed people are readers.

So buy books! If we don't support our own industry, who will?

Comments

[Patti Abbott]

I've been leaving flyers suggesting this wherever I go, whever I see a bulletin board, a table with info, a place to stick one. It probably won't do much good, but it makes me feel better.

[Barney Clonfelder]

I'll buy what I want for who I want!

You kids think you can push all us old folks around, well you got another thing coming!

You keep you opinions to yourself. These blogs make me so angry!

[Patti Mccoy Jacob]

We have kids in both public and private elementary schools here in CA, and both types constantly send home Scholastic Books order forms targeting PreK to teenage readers. My kids love circling their choices for wish lists, most recently on the Xmas form. Besides encouraging a love of reading, the schools promote this because they get a kick-back. May sound crass, but whatever gets the schools to promote reading, I'm all for. True, these are still young readers who are not reading the books of those commenting on your site, but sparking their interest in reading today will hopefully help keep the publishing world alive tomorrow.

Did that only sound profound in my mind?