Bookshelves in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic examines the cultural phenomenon of bookshelves during the pandemic, bringing together scholars from 6 countries to critically examine the relationship between the physical book and its digital manifestation. It also considers bookselling, accessibility, and pandemic reading habits.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 297 pages
Publication date: 07 October 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

Bookshelves in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scholarly Investigation of Cultural Phenomena
Bookshelves in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic is a groundbreaking scholarly investigation of the cultural phenomenon of bookshelves and the social practices surrounding them since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. With a foreword by Lydia Pyne, author of the book "Bookshelf" (2016), the volume brings together 17 scholars from six countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA) with expertise in literary studies, book history, publishing, visual arts, and pedagogy to critically examine the role of bookshelves during the current pandemic.

The book explores the complex relationship between the physical book and its digital manifestation through online platforms, a relationship that has gained widespread public and scholarly attention due to the global shift to working from home and the rise of online pedagogy. It goes beyond the (digital) bookshelf to consider bookselling, book accessibility, and pandemic reading habits.

The book is divided into four sections: "The Physical Book and Its Digital Manifestation," "Bookselling and Book Accessibility," "Pandemic Reading Habits," and "Conclusion." Each section includes a series of essays that explore different aspects of the topic.

In the first section, "The Physical Book and Its Digital Manifestation," the scholars discuss the impact of the pandemic on the physical book industry. They note that while the demand for physical books has increased during the pandemic, the supply chain has been disrupted, and many bookstores have closed. They also discuss the rise of e-books and audiobooks, which have become popular alternatives to physical books.

In the second section, "Bookselling and Book Accessibility," the scholars examine the challenges faced by booksellers during the pandemic. They note that many booksellers have had to close their stores, and that online sales have become a crucial source of revenue. They also discuss the importance of book accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and the efforts that have been made to make books more accessible.

In the third section, "Pandemic Reading Habits," the scholars explore the changes in reading habits during the pandemic. They note that many people have turned to reading as a way to cope with the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic. They also discuss the impact of the pandemic on reading habits, such as the increase in reading fiction and the decrease in reading non-fiction.

In the fourth section, "Conclusion," the scholars summarize the key findings of the book and offer recommendations for future research. They note that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the cultural phenomenon of bookshelves, and that further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of the pandemic on the book industry and reading habits.

Overall, Bookshelves in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the cultural phenomenon of bookshelves and the social practices surrounding them. It provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of the role of bookshelves during the current pandemic, and offers recommendations for future research.

Bookshelves in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scholarly Investigation of Cultural Phenomena

Bookshelves in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic is a groundbreaking scholarly investigation of the cultural phenomenon of bookshelves and the social practices surrounding them since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. With a foreword by Lydia Pyne, author of the book "Bookshelf" (2016), the volume brings together 17 scholars from six countries (Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA) with expertise in literary studies, book history, publishing, visual arts, and pedagogy to critically examine the role of bookshelves during the current pandemic.

The Physical Book and Its Digital Manifestation

The first section of the book explores the impact of the pandemic on the physical book industry. The scholars note that while the demand for physical books has increased during the pandemic, the supply chain has been disrupted, and many bookstores have closed. They also discuss the rise of e-books and audiobooks, which have become popular alternatives to physical books.

Bookselling and Book Accessibility

In the second section, "Bookselling and Book Accessibility," the scholars examine the challenges faced by booksellers during the pandemic. They note that many booksellers have had to close their stores, and that online sales have become a crucial source of revenue. They also discuss the importance of book accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and the efforts that have been made to make books more accessible.

Pandemic Reading Habits

In the third section, "Pandemic Reading Habits," the scholars explore the changes in reading habits during the pandemic. They note that many people have turned to reading as a way to cope with the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic. They also discuss the impact of the pandemic on reading habits, such as the increase in reading fiction and the decrease in reading non-fiction.

Conclusion

In the fourth section, "Conclusion," the scholars summarize the key findings of the book and offer recommendations for future research. They note that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the cultural phenomenon of bookshelves, and that further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of the pandemic on the book industry and reading habits.

Bookshelves in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scholarly Investigation of Cultural Phenomena

Bookshelves in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the cultural phenomenon of bookshelves and the social practices surrounding them. It provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of the role of bookshelves during the current pandemic, and offers recommendations for future research.

The Physical Book and Its Digital Manifestation

The first section of the book explores the impact of the pandemic on the physical book industry. The scholars note that while the demand for physical books has increased during the pandemic, the supply chain has been disrupted, and many bookstores have closed. They also discuss the rise of e-books and audiobooks, which have become popular alternatives to physical books.

Bookselling and Book Accessibility

In the second section, "Bookselling and Book Accessibility," the scholars examine the challenges faced by booksellers during the pandemic. They note that many booksellers have had to close their stores, and that online sales have become a crucial source of revenue. They also discuss the importance of book accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and the efforts that have been made to make books more accessible.

Pandemic Reading Habits

In the third section, "Pandemic Reading Habits," the scholars explore the changes in reading habits during the pandemic. They note that many people have turned to reading as a way to cope with the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic. They also discuss the impact of the pandemic on reading habits, such as the increase in reading fiction and the decrease in reading non-fiction.

Conclusion

In the fourth section, "Conclusion," the scholars summarize the key findings of the book and offer recommendations for future research. They note that the pandemic has had a significant impact on the cultural phenomenon of bookshelves, and that further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of the pandemic on the book industry and reading habits.

Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031052941
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022