I came across an interesting video on YouTube put out by the BBC Global. It features Katty Kay interviewing John Grisham for part of the video.
It is during this video I learned that between 2003 and 2023 reading rates declined by 40%! People aren't reading as much anymore. The above finding was published in a study in August 2025 by the University of Florida.
Katty Kay and John Grisham discuss the decline of reading. Additionally, they discuss Grisham's writing process.
Take a look at the interview in the video above!
Kinda interested in this, but have not been impressed by Grisham's writing in recent years -- he frequently admits to laziness in his afterwards, and his characters have become so vanilla that I forget them as soon as I've written a book review!
ReplyDeleteI personally think we are living in a new dark age that people do not recognize simply because we are impressed by our technological prowess. A people who cannot focus and read cannot focus and think -- they simply react.
I can't recall if I've ever read anything by John Grisham. Seems like many of his novels have been turned into movies... I've seen The Firm, The Rainmaker, and The Pelican Brief. So haven't felt the need to read any of his books.
DeleteYes, we seem to be in the dark ages. Seems like people are too addicted to their smartphones, tablets, social media, texting/messaging, etc. People weren't glued to their electronic devices like they are today.
I grew up in a time before the internet, emails, smartphones, etc. People weren't taking selfies, along with photos and videos, as much as they are today. Technology is great, but it is also a distraction. People/news outlets/influencers can now reach out instantly to others with texting, emails and/or social media. Too much information is vying for our attention, that I think it detracts from time for reading books. People seem to want 'quick soundbites' these days and then move on to the next thing seeking to grab their attention.