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25 Things That Would Happen If Book Lovers Ruled the World
What would the world look like if book lovers were in charge? We asked you on Facebook and Twitter, and after reading your answers, we're ready to live in that world today. Check out the top responses—we think you'll want to live there, too.
1. "Every rainy day would be Stay Home and Read a Book Day." (A J MacDonald Jr)
2. "We would measure life by chapters, not minutes. Example: I'll be there after a cup of coffee and two chapters." (Rebecca Brewster)
3. "There would be a library on every corner…In other words, a library inside every Starbucks." (Renee Bradshaw)
4. "We would get a free ebook version when buying a hardcover or paperback book." (Tammy Hennig)
5. "Reality television would be replaced by story hour(s), and the grammar police would be real." (Team Linda Gray)
6. "Libraries and public schools would be properly funded." (Darcy Marwick)
7. "Book release days would be national holidays!" (Melissa Fetterman)
8. "You'd get a book, not money, under your pillow from the Tooth Fairy." (CruzMissile)
9. "Book groups would replace political parties." (Book Discussion Scheme)
10. "There would be a book hour in addition to a lunch hour at work every day." (Cindy Bell)
11. "Libraries would never have missing or misplaced volumes." (Katherine May)
12. "Everyone—no matter their gender, nationality, level of poverty, etc.—would be able to learn to read and have access to reading materials." (Bobbi Harman)
13. "Tea sales would skyrocket." (Alena Dolph)
14. "There would be a special lane on walking tracks just for readers." (Misbah Ahmad)
15. "We'd be too busy reading for wars." (Amanda Todd Sexton)
16. "Libraries would be open 24 hours a day." (Chelsea Renee)
17. "There would be more support for English courses and degree programs." (Grace Exner)
18. "The number of television channels would drop drastically." (Toufiq Rahman)
19. "Reading would be an actual job! Paid to read!" (Akshay Kumar Bajpai)
20. "A tree would be planted for every book published." (Becky Engstrom)
21. "We would have a peaceful and quiet world—apart from occasional squeals of delight, horror, long sighs, whimpers, etc." (Chloe Lewis)
22. "This would be a valid excuse to get the day off: I was up late finishing my book." (Joshua Dilts)
23. "There would be less ignorance and more tolerance." (Alicia Aleman)
24. "Hogwarts would be a real school, Middle-earth would be our world history, and everything would be Wonderland nonsense." (Aja Vinet)
25. "Bookstores would have shopping carts." (Julia Andersen)
What do you think would be different about a world run by book lovers? Tell us in the comments!
Comments Showing 251-300 of 329 (329 new)
Skydreamer wrote: "Sam wrote: "As for number 23 I would like to give an example of why that wouldn't be true in fact we would probably have bloodier wars Example A which team are you on Edward or Jacob"IKR!!!! I get..."
I disagree with Sam; yes there would be "wars" but they would be war with words, wars of exchange of ideas and opinions, a lot healthier, don't you think. And no Skydreamer, I would not hate you, whichever team you are on :)
Leave it to the readers of the world to redefine life as a pursuit of peace! I loved this entire list and it sparked in me another wish. Where you could actually have Book Group with all the people in the world who have read the book you have just finished! This could be a new arm of the United Nations. Can you imagine sitting down to a worldwide discussion on To Kill A Mockingbird?
As for #14, Libraries should be open 24 hours--many are these days with digital collections always available from your mobile device or home computer. And some university libraries actually are physically open 24 hours--even non students are usually welcome to come in and spend time reading, even if they don't have borrowers' cards (which are often available for a fee)
Elise wrote: "Bookstores would never go out of business. I was so sad when we lost Borders. Bookstores seem to be going extinct, and it will be truly terrible if that day ever comes. :(I echo the shopping cart..."
Bookstores need to be able to sell enough books to support the costs of operation. While I get most of my books from libraries and a few from online sources, I make a special point to purchase from my local indie bookstore if they have a title available.
Elizabeth wrote: "I do not get a lot of things done, like cleaning the house and more, because my nose is poked in a book.But reading takes me away from thinking about problems and other things I want to forget. We..."
I thought I was the only person who read during commercials. It's nice to know I'm not the only one.
In reference to #25, 2nd and Charles does have shopping carts.
I absolutely love this list. I want to live in a world where book lovers rule. Here are my favorites. Especially love number 22 since I've done this too many times to count.
1. "Every rainy day would be Stay Home and Read a Book Day."
4. "We would get a free ebook version when buying a hardcover or paperback book."
14. "There would be a special lane on walking tracks just for readers."
22. "This would be a valid excuse to get the day off: I was up late finishing my book."
26. Social media would be full of book reviews and recommendations instead of criticism and negativity.
Every book would be translated into every language.
If you wanted to learn a language no matter how obscure you could easily find someone to teach you.
Everyone would learn how to repair damaged books in school.
Every book would have a dedicated forum to it on the internet.
Nobody would ever intentionally destroy a book, and cases of accidental destruction would have less impact as there would be plenty of extra copies elsewhere.
Insurance would automatically cover books, but rather then simply paying the estimated monetary value it would actually give you copies of the books that were destroyed.
If you wanted to learn a language no matter how obscure you could easily find someone to teach you.
Everyone would learn how to repair damaged books in school.
Every book would have a dedicated forum to it on the internet.
Nobody would ever intentionally destroy a book, and cases of accidental destruction would have less impact as there would be plenty of extra copies elsewhere.
Insurance would automatically cover books, but rather then simply paying the estimated monetary value it would actually give you copies of the books that were destroyed.
Traci wrote: "For number 13, I'm not much of a tea drinker. I think tea should be replaced with wine. Then it would be a perfect world! :)"Even coffee works too... really anything nice to drink while reading I think.
Bookbinding would be a marketable skill set. I could pursue my dream job without having to be qualified and getting another job first! And, we could end the bookstore monopolies and bring back indie book shops.
I say no 19, would love to be paid for reading, I'd be a milionaire
12 and 21 is what i like mostly, because including my illetrate granpa and grama would be able to read and learn as a result, it would reduce the level of illetracy to minimum level
My favourite is #14. We need this even though book lovers don't rule the world - and that's only because we're too busy reading.
Traci wrote: "For number 13, I'm not much of a tea drinker. I think tea should be replaced with wine. Then it would be a perfect world! :)"I'm thinking more along the lines of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows! ;)
I would vote for 19 and 14! Reading lanes are the future!
This is perfect. :) I am going to take the idea of the Tooth Fairy leaving a book under the pillow once my two-year-old book-lover gets old enough to start losing teeth.
#26. Sleep no longer a requirement, all those hours for reading!
by Erma"Besides, "colorful metaphors"!
(Bonus points to those that know what that's from!)"
Star Trek IV. Love the whales.
Christine wrote: "My reader's heart wants number 24, but in this reality all I want is number 25!!! PLEASE can we have some shopping carts? We'll spend more money, I swear!"I WOULD TO :)
A book being published wouldn't depend on sales, but only on if the author wants to write it.
Amanda wrote: "Thank you for the book love! I'm a bibliophile and was fully identifying with all of these brilliant ideas until I smacked into #16 As someone who works in a library, I could only shudder.Librari..."
Hey Amanda,
It is the same way in my library with people taking turns working late. I do love the idea of #16 though. Perhaps in the perfect world libraries WOULD be able to find those people who want to work nights and we would not have to!
-Diane
When you buy a plane ticket, you are required to list your favourite books, authors and genres. When you get on the plane, there is a hardcover, brand new book by one of your favourite authors. Half of the price of the book is included in your ticket price.
The length of the book is determined by how quicklh you read and the length of the flight, so that you finish the book when the plane lands on the runway.
Nobody would say reading is 'boring' or 'stupid' or 'a waste of time', and readers would be free to read whatever they like without fear of ridicule or snobbish comments.
Amanda wrote: "Thank you for the book love! I'm a bibliophile and was fully identifying with all of these brilliant ideas until I smacked into #16 As someone who works in a library, I could only shudder.Librari..."
I work in a library too and empathise with your comments. My solution would be to have more staff, split into shifts to cover the 24 hour opening. There are people who prefer to work nights, so why not let them work at keeping the libraries open? If the staffing level were high enough - which it would be in this utopia - then staff could work the shift pattern that suited them rather than be forced to take a turn at working later than they'd like.
I have printed this list off and put it up in our library. Waiting for comments from staff and students...
Rachel H Alvini wrote: "by Erma"Besides, "colorful metaphors"!
(Bonus points to those that know what that's from!)"
Star Trek IV. Love the whales."
Yay!
If horses could think thoughts like the campaigns that would be awesome.
I already use #22. More than I should.... but hey who wants to sleep when you can read! And on a Saturday night, I would be at the library celebrating the release of my new favorite book!
Joyce wrote: "And every book that is turned into a movie would be actually done right! As in it would follow the book word for word..."Or, at the very least, not change the story ending and keep the title. I have a certain TV adaptation of 'The Body in the Library' in mind.
As far as #17 goes, I think all language programs should be included, not only English. Being able to truly read, not just mentally translate, another language is amazing. It's as though reading, as awesome as ever, is happening in a different universe, or something. I'm going off 'Le Petit Prince' and part of a Victor Hugo poem. As many people as possible should be able to experience that.
If at school all you wouldhave to do is read
If at school all you would have to do is read
I can't agree with #16. Think of all the poor librarians! They won't have any spare time ...
This list is so true. I disagree with some of the things, but readers rule!!!!!!!!!! (Seriously, why can't a reader like us become president or something?)
Morgan wrote: "Which library do you work at?"Not sure if this was aimed at Veronica or myself.
I work at Putnoe Library in Bedfordshire, UK
Yeah, they would have shifts. But librarians have for example partners, children and friends. Now when schould they spend time with their families and friends? During the week the partner and friends are at work and the children at school. And for example on Sunday when family and friends are free, the librarian must work...? No, I don't think, that's very fair...
Sounds sound to me, #23 most indeed. Imagine the people who offed themselves who could have been understood first?
IKR!!!! I get hated by my friends because I don't like Teresa from The Maze Runner and if book lovers ruled the world I can imagine how bad those fandom fights would be.....