Reading has always been around. Writing is essentially the execution of visuals to depict spoken sounds, which, of course, have to be read. The start of reading and writing was very practical; it was then adapted into texts that were meant to be performed. Silent reading eventually became the standard; now, reading has evolved into something that is accessible due to the rise in literacy rates. Now, only one in ten people is illiterate, compared to the statistic of one in ten people being literate in 1820. Reading is a common hobby and passion taken up by people. In recent years, there has been a rise in reading. This can likely be attributed to COVID-19, where people were stuck in the house and had to find ways of entertaining themselves. However, I also believe that the internet has had a large influence on reading.

Digital spaces which promote reading

The presence of social media in modern lives is significant. Social media is a diverse landscape filled with people with all interests. No matter your interest, you will most likely find a community on the internet, and you will most likely find your niche. This does not exclude reading; in fact, there are large reading communities on the internet. There are platforms specifically for reading, like Goodreads, or there are communities within other platforms. You’ve likely heard about ‘BookTok’, ‘Bookstgram’, or ‘BookTube’. These spaces are filled with people who enjoy reading and connect with other people who share their same hobby. Readers share recommendations, their reviews on certain books, and just generally have discussions about books. The content that is being created can make reading more engaging. Have you ever felt more motivated because you’ve watched a video of someone else doing something? I personally have. Watching someone rave about a book may make someone more likely to pick up a book when otherwise they wouldn’t have. The enthusiasm can create a ripple effect of motivating other people to read.

The online reading space is especially beneficial to those who aren’t surrounded by readers. When I finish a good book, I feel the need to talk to everyone about it, but the conversation is usually even better when the person I am speaking to has read the book themselves. Social media makes it easier for people to connect and start conversations about books. The growth of online book clubs is especially exciting for book enthusiasts who may not have access to traditional reading circles in their local communities. Often in these spaces, the group chooses a book to read that month, and then via social media conducts conversations. Individuals sharing their ideas, interpretations, and personal connections to the story promote a deeper engagement with the material.  

In addition to this, there has been a rise in author interactions on these platforms. Authors can use social media to promote their book, and they can foster their own community. They create excitement over their projects. Interactions between readers and authors create a unique dynamic that enhances reading as a whole. Authors can provide readers with an insight into their writing process, which humanises the author. This can create a deeper connection with the final result, as readers can acknowledge the effort and ingenuity of the author. Social media allows for real-time interactions, discussions with authors, which fosters community. Reading becomes an interactive experience rather than an individual one when readers can interact with the authors of their favorite books. Social media has completely changed the traditional relationship between the creators and consumers of literature.

Accessibility 

The rise of e-books (electronic books) and audiobooks has been revolutionary for access to literature. Reading is more inclusive and convenient. With simply a phone, tablet, or e-reader, for example, a Kindle, people can enjoy a book from any location at any time. E-books are often less expensive than the printed version; they are more affordable, therefore are more accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, audiobooks appeal to a wide audience; they offer a substitute to people who may have trouble traditionally reading or just don’t have time in their day. There has been an ongoing debate about whether audiobooks count as ‘reading’. While audiobook consumers aren’t traditionally reading text, they are still consuming the same book as a person who may traditionally read the same book. The consumer of an audiobook can still engage in a conversation with a person who has physically read the book. Within communities that may have previously felt a disconnect from the world of reading, this accessibility inspires more individuals to read but also promotes a love of reading.

Downsides

While there are lots of positive aspects within the digital age of reading, other challenges are presented. One major issue is the commercialisation of reading, which is greatly influenced by algorithms. Popular titles are frequently more prominent; they’re more promoted by online retailers, more spoken about within these spaces, which can lead to people overlooking lesser-known works. It’s likely that if you have ever explored these spaces, you have heard of titles such as ‘It Ends With Us’, ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’, ‘Six of Crows ’, or’ Fourth Wing’. While readers can navigate these platforms and find more niche recommendations, it has to be a very conscious effort. Readers can be fed the same type of recommendations due to algorithms restricting their exposure to fresh ideas. This isn’t a problem specific to just reading on social media, but all of social media. Algorithms are built to keep people on their platforms. Algorithms push specific things, based on what is popular, what you have interacted with before, and some platforms, like TikTok, even take into account your location. This means it can produce a lot of the same kind of content. For readers, this cycle enforces a narrow view of what they can be exposed to within literature. 

Due to the rise of people relying on social media for recommendations, it is not as much of a normal practice to browse the bookstore and pick up an unheard-of book. According to BookScan, BookTok helped authors sell 20 million print books in 2021. The surge in sales likely encourages publishers to focus on publishing books that follow trends and themes popularised by BookTok. Due to this, writers might feel under pressure to follow formulas that work, instead of experimenting with different storylines. This standardisation highlights the marketability of reading and how it has the potential to reduce diversity within literature. This could make it difficult for distinctive voices and novel concepts to stand out among the vast number of titles that are attempting to monetise off of trending bestsellers. The anticipation of discovering fresh works of literature may be lost as a result of readers coming across repetitive stories and character themes.

Along with these problems, there has been an increase in free sites that pirate books. Numerous websites provide unapproved free downloads of copyrighted content. While some believe that this increases accessibility for reading, by providing content to those who cannot pay for the literature, it also seriously jeopardises authors. Stolen content can lead to financial losses, which may discourage authors from writing more works. It’s important to distinguish between websites that are harmful to authors, which are untrustworthy and unlawful, and trustworthy sources of free e-books. For example, ‘Project Gutenberg’, which primarily focuses on works for which the U.S. copyright has expired. Piracy ultimately devalues writers' work; official channels maintain an ethical literacy environment. 

In conclusion, the internet's influence on reading is a complicated topic, with ups and downs. Accessibility has been greatly improved due to e-books, audiobooks, and online communities fostering a strong reading culture. However, there are also problems like piracy, algorithmic recommendations, and commercialisation. These issues may limit exposure to unique voices and storytelling, potentially hurting the creation of literature. In the end, it is up to the reader to navigate the digital world thoughtfully. It is up to the reader to seek out unique narratives and support authors through ethical channels. This is not only for themselves, but also to maintain diversity within the literacy landscape.

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