Are books more appealing during periods of economic difficulty?

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   buckleupdorothyposted 11 years ago

   Are books more appealing during periods of economic difficulty?

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2. 67

   anupmaposted 11 years ago

   For me books are always appealing. I love to read books and enrich knowledge. Books are always full of knowledge. But before reading books, I keep in my mind Francis Bacon's quote-
   "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested."

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3. 60

   Pennypinesposted 11 years ago

   This is a difficult question to answer.  I do know many books that are written about periods of both economic and other difficulties, such as war, etc. 
   My grandmother interviewed refugees from the Ottoman ethnic cleansing of Armenia during the first genocide of the 20th Century. They were all too willing to tell her their stories, and she compiled them into a manuscript which lay idle among family papers until 67 years after her death. 
   Needless to say I published them, and although eight years have passed since publication, the book is still being sold. 
   I also have a book written during the Great Depression.  A young couple out of jobs ventured into the High Sierra panning for gold to make a living.  It is called "Bacon & Beans from a Gold Pan" or something like that.  A story of survival during bad times. So I would say yes, quite possibly people write about such experiences.And they seemm to have substantial appeal

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4. 61

   lilian1posted 11 years ago

   I think books are more appealing in difficult times if you are feeling low and out of work books take you to another place and you can forget your present troubles plus they can help you study perhaps for another career ....

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5. 59

   caramellatteposted 11 years ago

   Books do help for when you are feeling down. It depends on what book you read. I'm always reading, though,

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   Jaggedfrostposted 11 years ago

   If so, it is good news for anyone who publishes about now.  it may, however also be an indicator to those who want their works to sell well to stay away from muckraking or if you do muckrake you will need to offer more then berating the past and offer hope for the future.

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   SidKempposted 11 years ago

   I think that has probably been true in the past. Books were less expensive, than, say, movies. But with people reading less altogether, reading short things, and being able to get a vast amount of reading done on the Internet or on an electronic reading device (iPad, Kindle), I don't think physical, printed books are going to be as big a part of this economic downturn as they were in past difficult times.
   
   One evidence of this is that, according to a major literary agent I work with, retiring baby boomers are now getting health & wellness info more from web sites than from books.

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   walkingwithhimposted 11 years ago

   I don't know about more appealing, maybe just the more economic route to entertainment. I like my tv and computer pretty well and the book that would appeal to me would have to be with a very good story line. The necessity of a lot of how-to books would come from an economic down turn to help save money on a certain repair that might arise or how to save money by cooking a certain way.
   This might not be relevent to your question but I love the smell of a new book and the feel of it in my hands so, I believe books will always be around when they are so much a part of us all.

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   wetnosedogsposted 11 years ago

   I love to read, but I don't know if the economy ever had anything to do with it. For me reading is good any time.

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10. 91

    GoodLadyposted 11 years ago

    Maybe they are.  Economic difficulty brings reflection and pause.  It's a time to re-think.  Books are great for distraction and they are also good for quiet times.  As a result of reading books, one is more reflective -  (which is what we really feel like being).
    Economic times are different, not necessarily worse than 'flush' times.  They bring change.  Change comes from re-thinking, which comes from messages from within which we can hear better if we listen.  Books are a quiet pastime, not expensive either.

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    writer20posted 11 years ago

    Maybe, books can take you to another place and away from all the persons worries.

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12. 68

    gipsiecroneposted 11 years ago

    books are a life-line for me, i don't watch t.v. and i don't bar-hop; besides i'm a perpetual student always studying something, my latest interest being mary summer rain and her teachings so no books are no more - or less - appealing during periods of economic difficulty - or instability

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    Old Empresarioposted 11 years ago

    Once one gets into the habit of reading, it's a very peaceful and empowering feeling; especially since so few people read today. You feel like you know things everyone else doesn't know. I can see where that would appeal to people during times of economic turmoil.

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    Karmallamaposted 11 years ago

    I would say that they are. My belief is that they entertain us on a whole different level and they are more affordable than the alternatives. With a book, you entertain your mind and your senses. It is hard to do the same with movies. Also, in times of economic troubles, it is hard to pony up the cash to go to an amusement park that may only last a few hours. A good book can last for days or months if it is worth reading again. Another great benefit is that a book can inspire and educate us which can be a great benefit in hard economic times.

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15. 68

    Steven Grayposted 11 years ago

    I have always loved books.  When money is tight, I am definitely grateful for libraries, used bookstores, eBay and other sources of free and cheap reading material.

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