As a former film reviewer for a small newspaper—one of the best gigs ever—a recent post caught my eye. It seems that many young film students are having trouble…sitting through a movie. Professors reported that when students were asked to watch a film with their phones turned off roughly 50% were unlikely to comply. And when assigned to view a movie on their own less than 50% started watching the film and only about 20% completed the task.
The reasons are what you might expect. Young people focusing on the fast pace of Tik-Tok, Instagram Reels, and non-stop action in video games have apparently lost the ability to pay attention to long-format entertainment.
As a lover of film, I’m saddened. As an author of novels, I see where my vocation is headed. If young people can’t bring themselves to watch a 90-minute film, what are the chances of them reading an average-length novel which runs about 325 pages?
A quick search revealed my concerns were not unfounded. Studies show that many young people skim reading material, hurriedly moving through the verbiage as if the words themselves are somehow toxic. They find no joy in immersing themselves in lush or terrifying settings, different time periods, or the process of discovery: Where is the plot going? What is the protagonist’s motive? How will the characters survive?
Readers who have found themselves unable to put down a book, absorbed in the pages of a novel, eager to get to the climax of the plot, know the joy of a good story. Now, I’m wondering if this simple delight might be one we’ll have to explain to the generations to come, young people who will squint at us without understanding.
A 2024 study showed that just 14% of 13-year-olds read for pleasure every day. That’s down 10% from a decade ago. And in 2022, just 11% of high school seniors read at least six books for fun the previous year. So, it’s easy to see that if these trends continue those of us who ply our trade spinning stories are in for a difficult time.
I suppose it’s good news that young people are still reading, though their tastes have turned to graphic novels and native-digital content, which is defined as “material created specifically for digital platforms and consumed by audiences who have grown up in the age of technology. It is designed to be interactive, shareable, and often blends seamlessly with organic social media or web content. Such content is typically consumed rapidly, prioritizing visuals over text.”
So the problem remains. Long-form story telling is losing its appeal, whether it’s film or the written word. To my fellow authors, here’s hoping at some point the pendulum swings back and we might someday find young people happily nestled in the corner of a couch entranced by a story once more.
THE CASTLE
ANNE MONTGOMERY
Suspense/Thriller
Ancient ruins. Haunted memories. A ruthless predator. Can Maggie survive the ghosts of her past – and the monster hiding in plain sight?
When she returns to her job as a National Park Ranger at “The Castle”—a centuried-old Native American pueblo carved into an Arizona cliff—Maggie hopes the comfort of familiar ground will help her heal. Battling trauma and the grief of unimaginable loss, Maggie’s days are carefully measured, her life held together by the thinnest of threads.
But strange things are happening at the park. A mysterious child appears and vanishes without a trace. And a predator watches her every move, planning his attack.
With the help of friends, fellow survivors, and the land itself, Maggie begins to reclaim her strength. But the danger is closer than she knows, and soon Maggie will have to face a deadly threat… and her deepest fears.
Bookstores, libraries, and other booksellers can order copies directly from the Ingram Catalog.
Praise for The Castle
“A deftly written and riveting read from cover to cover, “The Castle” effectively showcases author Anne Montgomery’s genuine mastery of the Romantic Suspense genre.” – Midwest Book Review
“A slow burn thriller, mixed in with a touch of mystical realism…A true five-star experience!” – Sara Steven Chick Lit Central
“A beautifully considered, sumptuous novel from a skilled storyteller.” – SaraRose Auburn Writing & Reviews
“This is a novel about good rage, about channeling the injustices of the world around us and fighting to do some good with both words and deeds. Lucky for readers, it was penned by a maestra like Anne Montgomery, so that we got a tense, powerful novel in the bargain too.” – Jennifer deBie-Rosie Amber Book Reviews
“Ms. Montgomery manipulates uncomfortable subjects and dark suspense into a gripping tale with hints of romance and humor carefully guiding readers on an informative journey of survival and self-discovery.“ Tonya Mathenia InD’tale Magazine
“Soul-stirring. A brilliant book…Truly a masterpiece.” – Anu Menon Thought is Free Book Blog
“I was gripped from start to end.” – Katherine Hayward Pérez Just Katherine Blog
“Ms. Montgomery has an almost magical talent to draw the reader into the worlds she creates through her words. Her characters are interesting, vulnerable and strong. While describing the locations in which her books are set, she weaves history with vivid images, immersing the reader in a hard-to-put-down story full of history, beauty and mystery.” – Margaret Millmore Author
Author Anne Montgomery 
Such sad news, Anne. Yet, I do continue to meet young readers during school visits, so I choose to remain hopeful for us authors who love the art of storytelling. Great article, my friend!
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It’s really all we can do, Sharon. Thanks for spreading the word.
😉
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Thank you, Sharon! Here’s hoping kids learn to put down their phones and find reading again.
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My first and only graphic novel was Fun Home by Allison Bechdel. I have to be honest, I was surprised how much I liked it and how much the illustrations enhanced the story. I’m not sure it took me as long to read as it might have if the author described the images I was seeing in the graphics, but it took a while to take in the drawings. It was a very different way to read. I’m still trying to figure out if I’d do another. But I did like it.
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And they are a great way for kids who hate reading to give it a chance, Sherm. I used them when I taught reading, and yet I couldn’t help but think they should be just stepstones to regular books. Perhaps that makes me old-fashioned. Hummm?
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Agree. If someone who enjoys reading wants to sample one, Fun Home is a good introduction.
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