A story is unfolding in the United States about how reading is adapting in an age dominated by short-form videos and artificial intelligence. Earlier this summer, an article in The Atlantic sparked debate with the headline "The End of Reading Is Here." It argued that the role of reading in education is changing, with teachers often assigning only excerpts from books rather than full texts. This shift, the article suggested, marks a "postliterate" era, where reading may no longer be the primary way people engage with information. Leah Price, a professor of modern book history at Oxford, explains that reading has always been a matter of opportunity, limited more by time than by the availability of books. Today, however, the real challenge is competing for people’s attention in a world full of distractions. While some suggest reading is declining, others argue it is simply evolving. A 2025 Pew study found that the number of Americans reading books has remained steady, but the way they read is changing. Most books are still read in print, but more people are using e-books and audiobooks. Print book sales are growing, especially in genres like science fiction and self-help, while library borrowing of e-books and audiobooks reached a record 820 million last year. New technologies are making reading more accessible. E-readers like the Kindle Paperwhite allow users to carry entire libraries in a small, portable device, while audiobooks let people read while doing other tasks, such as driving or doing chores. However, audiobooks come with limitations—readers can't easily review or skip ahead, and they must follow the narrator’s pace, though some devices allow speed adjustments. E-books also have similar challenges, making it harder to navigate through text compared to physical books. Research suggests that the way we read affects how well we understand what we read. Studies show that reading on paper may offer advantages in comprehension, particularly for non-fiction texts. Print reading is associated with better awareness of one’s understanding and more efficient processing. In contrast, reading on screens can be harder on comprehension due to factors like scrolling, which can make it easier to lose one’s place. However, the differences between screen and print reading are generally small, and many people find digital formats just as effective. Some experts warn that reliance on AI to summarize texts could reduce the cognitive effort needed for reading, potentially harming reading skills. Pia Kreijkes, who studied this phenomenon, is concerned that young people are increasingly using AI to do the mental work of reading. This trend could worsen the already declining frequency and enjoyment of reading among children, which in turn could lead to weaker reading skills. Despite these concerns, reading remains a valuable skill, and the method—whether through print, e-books, or audiobooks—can be tailored to individual needs and preferences. Ultimately, the key to becoming a better reader is simply to read more, regardless of the medium.