Should access to books be essential?

I’ve tried to ponder this question without the inherent bias of a writer. Still, my answer is a resounding yes. During the quarantine, the world has been reawakened to the power of arts (we already knew this). Can you imagine how we would’ve coped without virtual concerts, music or streaming movies, TV shows and documentaries?

But we need to add books to that list. With the extra time at home, the sales of classic books have increased. Yet without access to books being a priority, that has left us to the mercy of Amazon which deprioritized the shipment of books which, in turn, has hurt midlevel and indie authors.

If indie bookstores were able to stay open, this would certainly be a different story. They would’ve had their time to shine and show their true value by supporting their local communities. More than that, reading is so essential to the imagination. It’s a way to escape to different worlds or soak up information in creative ways. It opens our minds and moves us in ways unique to other forms of art.

That's my opinion. What do you think?

CRY

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Should access to books be essential? was originally published in C.R.Y on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.