A few weeks ago, I shared some basic characteristics of the main generations of our time: The Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. My guest post this week applies some Word Nerd information to the generations – how much do each tend to read? Aren’t you curious? I was. My guests Isabel Cabrerra and Lachlan Brown share some interesting trends.
We all know the stereotypes of the different generations.
Because the 5 generations—Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Baby Boomers, and the Silent Generation—all have different expectations and experiences that affect their lives.
But how do they affect their reading habits?
Best By The Numbers set out to answer this question. They created the following infographic which dives deep into the reading habits of the 5 generations.
Here is a quick snapshot of their findings:
Gen Z read even more since the start of coronavirus, more so than the other generations.
Millennials read the most books.
Physical books trump digital editions for all generations.
Bestseller lists generate book ideas for Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation, whereas Gen Z head to social media.
Public libraries are used by Millennials far more than any other generation.
And something fun? The older French people get, the more likely they are to read erotic fiction.
What can we glean from these stats?
Every generation likes to read, including tech-loving Millennials and Gen Zs.
Coronavirus has been extremely hard for a lot of industries, but especially for small publishers. Luckily, it seems that there is still a huge appetite for reading books and online content across all age ranges.
Check out the infographic below for more insights into the reading habits of the 5 generations.
I found these stats very interesting, but have to say that I, a Gen Xer, have not heard of most of the books on the Gen X bookshelf. Where is The Help? Do you recognize the books on your generation’s bookshelf? How do your reading habits compare to this infograph?
We’re in the middle of a pandemic, which means there are fewer places I can go, and yet I still feel like I don’t have enough hours in my day to accomplish everything I want to do. On top of that, there is all the ambiguity about school starting and whether or not fall sports will actually happen. I spent Monday shopping for dorm supplies I’m afraid my daughter won’t actually use. Usually as I approach August, I’m looking forward to getting back to a routine, but this year, I’m not sure what my routine will be. All of this is making me a tad befuddled.
I need to do something to decrease the befuddled and increase the calm. Can you relate? Better yet, do you know how to find the calm? I’ve got two things.
First, exercise, because moving always clears my head, lifts my emotions, and burns calories. (Woe, the middle aged metabolism.) So, daily exercise is a must. Yoga does not happen often enough in my life.
Second- creating. Making time for things like writing, playing piano, fiddling with my camera, painting a rock, or sketching a flower always puts my soul at ease. And my soul needs some ease, doesn’t yours?
To that end, we’ve designated Wednesday evenings as craft nights in our household. Every week, my daughter, youngest son, and I gather art supplies and turn off the TV. We’ve folded origami airplanes and origami flowers (the planes were WAY more successful), we’ve blended watercolor paints to make trees (I need A LOT more practice), and we’ve sketched orcas and sea turtles. 🙂
This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal. I know the world is bruised and bleeding, and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its malevolence. Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge — even wisdom. Like art.
Toni Morrison
I don’t know when or where the great Ms. Morrison first shared this, but boy does it seem applicable today. Let’s take her words to heart. Let’s not wallow in despair or fear or self-pity. Let’s get our hands dirty and make something. Write something. “Do language.” Let’s seek the way to knowledge and wisdom. Let’s do art.
If you need ideas for getting started, here are some links to some free resources:
With all of the social unrest regarding race relations and our country’s response to the corona virus, I’ve been consuming lots of material to help me understand our country’s history and social structures. Frequently, articles and podcasts refer to generations and how the perceived characteristics of each generation influence their response to our current struggles. I know what a Baby Boomer is, but I get confused by terms like “Gen X”, “Millennial”, and “The Silent Generation”. (Ever heard that one before?)
If you, like me, don’t have your generations straight, here’s the low down on everyone born between 1928 and 2012. However, like Alfie Kohn, author of an article titledGener(aliz)ations: News flash: All people in your age bracket aren’t necessarily similar, I think we should be cautious about making sweeping generalizations about groups made up of several million people based solely on age.
The Silent Generation: 1928-1945
These people were born between 1928 and 1945 and are in their 70s and 80s today. This generation is one of the smallest modern generations, as The Great Depression and World War II kept birthrates low. Time magazine first labeled this group “The Silent Generation” in 1951. Experts suggest that because of the McCarthy Era of the 1950’s and the social expectation that children should be seen and not heard, this generation of Americans is hesitant to speak out or disturb the social order. In general, people in The Silent Generation married and had children early. They also started the “divorce revolution” when they got older. They value hard work and saving money. Note: Bernie Sanders is a member of The Silent Generation, and obviously he has no fear of speaking out.
This generation has been one of the largest modern generations, thanks to increased birth rates after WWII. Baby Boomers led the Civil Rights Movement and Woodstock and fought in Vietnam, but they are also often characterized as being self-absorbed. (?) Although many Baby Boomers are now retired, when they were younger, they tended to put work first and inspired the term “workaholic”. Baby Boomers were the first generation to have a large number of women join the work force. Because they didn’t have as much technology growing up, Boomers are believed to have outstanding interpersonal skills. They have, however, adapted to modern technology and use it to improve productivity, while their younger counterparts use it more for connectivity.
Generation X: 1965-1980
That’s me! Generation X is often considered “the lost generation”, sandwiched in between Baby Boomers and Millennials. Gen Xers have waited longer to marry and start families, seeking to develop themselves first. They have also seen even more women enter the workforce than the Baby Boomers. Perhaps in response to their hard working, career focused parents, Generation Xers value work-life balance. They also are more likely to embrace change and fight to combat corruption. The women of Generation X were the first generation to outpace their male counterparts in education. (E.g. more women earned college degrees in their 20s and 30s than men.) I got married at 23 and opted to be a stay at home mom in my 30s, so I don’t fit the general descriptors for my generation, but I can see the trends.
Millennials: 1981-1996
Do these devices = the enemy?
Whew, Millennials get a bad rap. They are often characterized as narcissistic, having been brought up by parents who wanted to befriend instead of discipline them. They are also described as confident, entitled, and the most depressed and anxious generation in modern history. They love technology, but some fear that engagement with tech has led to anxiety and poor social skills. They are more diverse and better educated than previous generations, however there is a sharp economic divide between those with a college degree and those without. Many graduated from college during The Great Recession, which hampered them financially. They carry a lot of student debt (double that of their Gen X counterparts) and have less accumulated wealth than previous generations did in their 20s and 30s. More have chosen to live with their parents and put off marriage compared to previous generations. More Millennial women than men have college degrees, and even more women in this generation are working compared to previous generations. Millennials, like Gen Xers, value change and reform. They also appreciate flexibility, and want to work smarter, not harder.
Generation Z: 1997-2012
Ah, my kids are Generation Z, on track to be the most diverse and best educated generation yet. Gen Z Americans lean liberal and think government should be more involved in solving major problems, like environmental change and economic disparity, and they believe the growing diversity in our country is good. They too have been highly influenced by technology, and have also been characterized as anxious. Not much data has been collected about them yet, as the oldest are just 23.
So there you have it, a basic explanation of 20th and 21st century generations. Again, while it’s interesting to look back on historical and social trends, I take issue with characterizing millions of people with a few adjectives. An interviewee on a recent podcast I listened to suggested that the Black Lives Matter movement doesn’t have any leaders because Millennials and Gen Z kids were coddled by their parents, are focused on earning money, and have no desire to serve. That didn’t sit well with me, since I know several people from both of those generations who do not fit that characterization.
Personality, education, race, socioeconomic status, age, and developmental maturity all play a role in how we respond to situations. While it’s easier to think of people in terms of one or two characteristics, we have to appreciate that we are much more complicated, and therefore, so are our issues.
What’s your generationand how do you compare to the description I shared?
If you’d like to learn more about generational trends, check out these articles (which also served as my sources):
Four months into the pandemic, most people I know are itching to take a vacation. Even husband, a health care professional and extra cautious citizen in the time of corona, agrees that we need some time away from home. So soon we will travel to a safe place, and I’ll need good things to listen to while I drive! It’s amazing how a thought provoking podcast or an intriguing audio book can make the long hours on the interstate pass quickly.
If you are also planning for a summer road trip, here a few listening recommendations from The Word Nerd.
Artemis Fowl
Disney+ just released its movie adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s fantastic kid lit novel, Artemis Fowl, which chronicles the escapades of an teenage genius and his devious plots to preserve his family’s wealth. Do not watch the movie. The graphics are bad, the story is bad, the characters are wrong. Instead, spend your precious time listening to the audio books, read expertly by Nathaniel Parker. Colfer combines action, fairy magic, and humor to spin a story that will entertain kids and adults alike. Artemis Fowl, and the other books in the series, will make your road trip fly by.
The Most Fun We Ever Had
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo is not for kids. It is, however, a thoughtful and complicated look at marriage and family dynamics. The structure flips between one year in present lives of a Chicago couple and their four adult daughters and flashes into their past, revealing rivalries, resentments, betrayals, and joys. If you like the TV show This is Us, (which I LOVE!), you will enjoy The Most Fun We Ever Had. Emily Rankin does a nice job narrating the audio book.
I have recently discovered Code Switch, a podcast from NPR that explores the influence of race on all aspects of American society, which again seems particularly relevant in the wake of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. In a recent episode, “Why now, white people?”, the hosts, both journalists of color, debate why so many white people are now involved in #BlackLivesMatter protests, even though the issues have been around for decades. The podcast offers good things for me, a middle class white woman, to consider.
The Argument
The podcast The Argument, from The New York Times, appeals to me because it features columnists from opposing points of view, often at least one conservative and one liberal, respectfully discussing issues. There’s no name calling or ridiculous generalizations, just three people thoughtfully analyzing history and current events. It’s a refreshing change from the hostile rhetoric that fills my Twitter feed.
I realize these last two recommendations come from liberal media sources. If anyone has recommendations from conservative viewpoint, I welcome the suggestions!
What do you like to listen to on a road trip? Do you have any podcasts or audio books to add to this list?
Last week, my guest Isabel shared some ideas for how to get more creative. This week, my guest Elsie Weisskoff has some tips for encouraging a better reading habit in this summer of quarantine. She’s even got some printable challenges to keep you, or your kids, accountable! Take it away, Elsie!
Summer marks the halfway point of the year. It’s a good time to reflect on how the year has gone and what your goals are moving forward. This time in quarantine may have given you a new appreciation for reading. If this is the case, bring your new reading habits into the rest of the year with a reading challenge.
Reading challenges are a fun way to diversify your reading list and motivate you to read titles you might not normally pick. There are many challenges to pick from, so you’ll be sure to find one that fits your style. If you’re interested in completing one this summer, here are some tips to keep in mind.
1. Set your goal ahead of time
Consider why you want to complete this challenge? What do you hope to accomplish? Whether you’re trying to read more daily or would like to get through the stack of books on your bedside table, there is a challenge to help you.
2. Choose a challenge that fits your goal
Picking a challenge to complete a book each month might not be a challenge if you normally complete 5 each month. Be sure to pick one that matches your reading goal and challenges you
3. Hold yourself accountable
As time passes, it’s easy to let goals go forgotten. Be sure you’re holding yourself accountable by writing down the reading goal and telling your friends and family about it.
4. Reward yourself for a job well done
Add additional motivation to the challenge by rewarding yourself with an extra treat when it’s complete. This incentive could be a nice dinner or even a new book you’ve had your eye on. Reward yourself with something that motivates you.
Now that you know how to complete a reading challenge, check out these printable reading challenges created by Redbubble. They each have a different theme that you can modify to fit your reading goals! Simply download and print them, then fill in the titles of the novels you intend to read. By the end of the summer you’ll have a whole new outlook on reading.
According to a recent study, 25% of jobs in the US are at risk due to automation.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that there are still millions of jobs that are safe. What types of jobs? The safest jobs in the market today are those that require genuine creativity.
We know that robots are good at doing repetitive tasks. But they aren’t equipped to come up with new and useful ideas. Only creative humans can do that.
A lot of people claim that they’re “not the creative type” or that they weren’t born with a lot of creativity.
However, you don’t need to write a best-selling series of books or paint the Mona Lisa to be creative and future proof your job. You just need to be able to perceive the world in new ways, make connections between things, and be a problem solver.
The best thing about creativity is that it’s trainable. No one is necessarily born with creativity or without it. In fact, research shows that only 22% of creative variance in people is due to the influence of genes. Therefore 78% of creativity is learned in our everyday life.
The Expert Editor has come up with a great infographic about creativity, including the professions that are perfect for creatives as well as 16 habits we can all adopt to become more creative.
These 16 science-backed habits are little things you can do each day to ignite your imagination and learn to think outside the box. Check out the infographic below.
How do you like to get creative? Which of these habits will you try?
