On Words and Business

Cut This Story!

An argument that the format of newspaper stories is part of what is killing the industry. Interesting theory.

Books are not dead!

“For the first time in more than 25 years, American adults are reading more literature, according to a new study by the National Endowment for the Arts.”

Highlights:

• Literary reading increased by 7%, following significant declines reported for the last 10 years
• Biggest increase is among 18-24 year olds
• Nearly 15% of adults read literature on line in 2008

Let’s talk about books for the moment…

Writers write to be read.

If you watch the film version of a book, even one that follows the book closely, you didn’t read the book.

But if you listen to a book on tape (let’s say unabridged), can you say read it? If someone reads the book to you, can you say you read it?

So…what do you call it when you listened to a book (that someone read to you, or you got on CD, or listened to as a podcast, for example), but you never actually picked up the book and looked at the words on the page?

As media evolves and the nature of intaking and absorbing information changes, will this become a larger question? And what effect might this have on literacy?

Multitasking. It’s the name of the game these days, in work and in leisure. Folks check blackberries or laptops during meetings, or watch t.v. while reading a book. Yet multitasking doesn’t seem to do what it purports to do–let us get more done in less time. There are good arguments to be made for the fact that is really slows us down.

I won’t answer the phone if I’m in the middle of something. I don’t check my email often if I am working on a deadline. I try not to let myself get distracted by the internet when I’m working on something best done uninterrupted. And I’ve been disparaged for all of these things by folks who don’t understand that I like to do one thing at a time.

Perhaps now I’ve been vindicated? The November issue of the Atlantic includes a fabulous essay on multitasking (full access only for subscribers) and how efficient it really isn’t. Just make sure to turn off the t.v. (and blackberry, phone, email alert) when you read it. Oh, and pull the car over and stop.

Not sure. But it’s as good a month as any.

Business books are big these days. And there are certainly many to choose from. So, if you’re looking for advice on what to read and why…FlyingSolo offers some insight.

Happy reading!