Brattlecast #207 - The Changing Book Business

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the impact that new technologies—like e-readers, audiobooks, and the internet in general—have had on the book business. With free information readily available online, certain categories of books just aren’t as useful as they used to be. Dictionary and encyclopedia sales are way down, how-to books have been supplanted by YouTube videos, and even art books are less popular now that most famous paintings are a quick Google search away. On the other hand, readers in search of screenless time are embracing both paper books and brick-and-mortar browsing. Independent bookshops are seeing a resurgence, offering a sense of place and community in our increasingly digital world.