The modern age of books

[Middleton Public Library]

Clay grapples with the fact that e-books could make brick-and-mortar bookstores unnecessary. Did the novel reassure you about the role of technology in the lives of book lovers? What are your thoughts on the future of libraries, bookstores, and physical books?

[Kendall]

I think that, while e-book usage is definitely increasing, and technology is becoming more and more prevalent in our daily lives, books still play an important role. I think what Clay ultimately discovered was that books and technology can work in tandem and what one lacks, the other can make up for. To be reliant on only one form of conveying and receiving information will greatly limit you in the long run. In terms of the future of libraries and bookstores, the important part is to adapt to the needs of the patrons and the needs to the time. There may definitely be a greater shift towards e-books and technology in bookstores and libraries, and I think there should be, but I don't think they'll be becoming obsolete any time soon.