I recently read an article in The Atlantic that made me sad— “The End of Reading is Here” by Rose Horowitch.  There were a lot of statistics shared and studies cited.  Employment at newspapers has fallen by 75% in the past two decades.  Only 8% of college graduates in 2024 earned a bachelor’s degree in one of the humanities.  In 2024 80% of teachers who teach 3rd through 8th graders related that their students’ reading stamina has fallen since 2019.  Test scores on the ACT and SAT affirm this reality. 

As Horowitch wrote, “Text is thriving among a dwindling proportion of the population.  Just 20 percent of adults accounted for more than 80 percent of all books read last year.  ‘It’s becoming a kind of niche hobby, like stamp collecting or growing orchids,’ Leah Price, a historian of reading at Rutgers University, told me.”

This is troubling not just for folks who love books or for librarians or academics.  The broader implications for “the end of reading” affects peoples’ ability to think critically, logically, and rationally.  Reading also sparks imagination as someone who reads the written words on the page must then imagine the scenes taking shape in one’s mind. 

From our Protestant tradition we can remember how important it was for the Bible to be translated into vernacular languages.  It was important for our sacred stories to be read and understood for oneself.  My deep hope is that our congregation is a place where we encourage each other to learn and grow, to broaden our horizons.  It seems to be increasingly imperative in our time.  (And if you are dutifully reading this edition of The Orange Peal right now—good for you, and happy reading!) 

Grace and Peace,
Rev. Lauren

The Orange Peal Pastor’s Note 8/19/26

Photos by Rev. Lauren Ostrout.