Is the art of long-form reading on the brink of extinction? In a captivating discourse, journalist and cultural commentator James Marriott engages with EconTalk’s Russ Roberts to champion the increasingly nostalgic habit of reading books in an era dominated by fleeting social media feeds and AI-generated summaries. Marriott advocates for a hybrid approach—embracing both the tactile experience of a paper book and the convenience of a Kindle. He shares his personal journey of abandoning his smartphone to reclaim his focus, and offers practical tips for selecting the perfect beach read or biography.
They delve into the merits of re-reading, spar over the complexities of Dostoevsky’s works, and extol the brilliance of Elena Ferrante, while also exchanging recommendations for poetry that offers a profound connection to reality. Throughout their discussion, they contend that the superficial nature of social media underscores the compelling need to immerse oneself in the rich, intellectually challenging, and ultimately transformative realm of literature.
