Will we ever read books again?

The podcast explores the crisis of declining reading habits, especially among young people, and its broader implications. Award-winning children's author and Oxford scholar Katherine Rundell highlights that declining reading rates are no longer limited to children from vulnerable homes but are now affecting children from all backgrounds. Several factors contribute to this decline, including the COVID-19 pandemic, austerity measures impacting library access, and the pervasive influence of social media. Rundell argues that reading is crucial for developing critical thinking skills necessary to navigate misinformation and understand complex issues. Proposed solutions include legislative actions such as ensuring libraries in every school with librarians and considering social media bans for those under 16, alongside encouraging adults to visibly read books to set an example.