Books are irrelevant in the digital age where on-demand content and social media dominate our time – at least some experts want you to think so. Many blame our poor attention spans, but it’s more likely how we manage every minute of our day. Before the Covid-19 lockdown, we just didn’t take the time to read or participate in other hobbies, at least not as much.
But books are making a strong comeback, and one of the primary reasons is social media. Book influencers are paving the way for an entirely new generation of reading enthusiasts – eBook sales alone were over S1 billion in 2020. Even celebrities like Emma Watson and Jimmy Fallon use social media to showcase their love of reading and encourage others to take part.
The Rise of Reading During Covid
In the second half of 2020, Americans read 25% more than the previous year. People began joining virtual book clubs, and audiobooks provided a break from the constant news updates on TV. Social media book influencers, celebrities like Emma Watson and Reese Witherspoon, and even daytime talk shows began to promote reading. Books prompted conversations and brought us together during a time we felt total isolation.
Digital formats made sharing titles with your friends and other book club members easy. Most eBook apps even offer free books, often classics or the first book in a series, to draw a reader in.
As more people worked…
