Young people and reading culture: Reading is not lonely.

What needs to be done to attract young readers in a context where books are facing competition from numerous forms of entertainment and technological conveniences is a question that concerns those in the book industry and those interested in reading culture.

Thanh Nien newspaper continues to bring this question to the roundtable discussion on "Youth and Reading Culture."

SHORTER, MORE BEAUTIFUL, MORE SOCIALLY VALUABLE

In your opinion, what elements are necessary for a book to attract young people today? Are publishers changing their approach to bookmaking (design, content, marketing) to better suit younger readers?

Associate Professor Pham Xuan Thach, School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts (Vietnam National University, Hanoi): To attract young people, books must have a format suitable for a young audience. Secondly, more attention should be paid to formal elements such as short sentences, rhythm, and concise chapters and paragraphs compared to previous writing styles. We have also observed that writers aged 25 and under are changing their writing style, and this is also a way to attract young people to books.

Writer Nguyen Truong Quy: Perhaps young readers today are more interested in the social values ​​in literary works than in the classical "romantic" themes. They approach a book by the yardstick of seeking a means of explaining the world , rather than accepting that it defines their world, although unconsciously they may not even realize this.

Mr. Tran Dinh Ba, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House: "Good and engaging content is, of course, the core element. But the accompanying elements are indispensable; they must be eye-catching, beautifully illustrated, with attractive cover designs and content; and include accessories and gifts with high practical value such as bookmarks, keychains, playing cards, etc."

Young readers at the booth of Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House.

PHOTO: QUYNH TRAN

How do the roles of the press and social media (BookTok, TikTok reviews, etc.) affect book sales?

Mr. Tran Dinh Ba: Readers are attracted to, influenced, and affected by book reviews in newspapers, BookTok, and TikTok, even using them as a basis for purchasing books. This shows the enormous influence of media on social media platforms on the business and distribution of books.

Associate Professor Pham Xuan Thach: There is a shift happening; instead of critics having the power to speak about value independently, impartially, and fairly, the power of evaluation is shifting to KOLs on social media. This is a trend not only for books but also for other products such as videos, films, and music .

BUILDING A READING COMMUNITY

What makes you still believe that young people will continue to read? What advice would you give to young people who are "losing the habit of reading"?

Writer Nguyen Truong Quy: I think everyone has their own motivation for reading. Reading functional books is also a form of reading, and if you take the time to search, many functional books are very well-written and possess literary qualities no less impressive than novels or traditional literary genres. Perhaps there should be a community of readers who share and engage in reading; reading shouldn't be lonely.

Writer Nguyen Truong Quy

Photo: Provided by the interviewee

Author Nguyen Mai Phuong: I don't believe we have to advise people to read and then expect them to read based on that advice. I always believe the best way is to set an example. The way you read, learn, grow, and have different experiences from the pages of a book will be the clearest motivation for those around you to pick up a book and read.

And actually, reading is also a choice. When you need a book, you'll read it yourself.

Writer Phuong Huyen (center) in the program "Open Books - Open the Future" encouraging high school students to read books.

Photo: Provided by the subject

Writer Phuong Huyen, Ambassador of Reading Culture of Ho Chi Minh City 2024-2025: Together with our partners, I bring the "Open Books - Open Futures" program to high school students with a profound message: each book is a door opening to knowledge, emotions, and new horizons. Accompanying each of these journeys, I realize that books remain an indispensable source of intellectual nourishment for young people.

Ambassador of Reading Culture of Ho Chi Minh City 2023-2024, Trung Nghia: I think there are many solutions to "bring" young people back to reading culture. Firstly, innovate the approach to books. Combining technology such as audiobooks, ebooks, or online reading platforms will make reading more flexible and suitable for modern lifestyles.

Secondly, build a reading habit starting small. Instead of aiming to read thick books, I think young people can start with 10-15 minutes a day reading on topics they enjoy or by authors they love. When reading becomes a natural part of life, it will no longer be a "chore" but a joy.

Third, create a reading environment and community. Book clubs, sharing and reviewing on social media, or reading promotion campaigns will help spread inspiration. When reading becomes a positive trend, young people will be easily attracted to and participate.

In this age of widespread digitalization and AI, the community needs to boldly consider how to instill a love of reading and an appreciation for knowledge in children and teenagers, with libraries being a crucial cultural institution.

Thank you all.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nguoi-tre-va-van-hoa-doc-doc-sach-khong-co-don-185260422222801074.htm