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#  Do People Read Books Today?

August 28 2025

Written by Tony Butka.

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THE EASTSIDER - Way back when I was around 11 or 12, I started reading books. Mostly I guess because I was a loner with only a couple of friends. Anyhow, I’ve read ever since, at least one or two books a week.

I still have the habit at 80, even though I’m not using books to shut out other people, it’s just a part of what I do because I like to read.

Anyhow, a few weeks ago, I was in Pasadena at Vroman’s Book Store. If you do like books, they are the best, at 695 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA 91101. The store has been a haven as long as I’ve lived in Los Angeles, and that’s some 80 years.

Why I mention them is that as far as I can tell, most Angelenos I know, and that’s a lot over the years, don’t seem to read. For example, here in Glassell Park is a very neat Library in nearby Cypress Park. There are a couple of good reasons to go there this summer; (1) they have really good air conditioning, and (2) while the number of books are not as many as I would like, you can literally get any book within the entire the entire LA Library system by simply putting in a request for one.

That is pretty impressive, since the entire LA Public Library System has a zillion books within the system, it still seems like magic as I look for old Science Fiction books. That’s interesting because (a) I don’t think there is a genre called Science Fiction anymore, and (b) within the bowels of the Library there are probably literally thousands of those books still live on.

Personally, I ran out of space to keep books in our house decades ago, although a few thousand still exist in the garage, as a compromise with my wife because of my inability to pass a book store, new or old, without buying one or two books.

The nearest Branch by Glassell Park is the Cypress Park Branch Library, located at 1150 Cypress Ave, LA CA 90065, and the phone number is 323-224-0039. They are open at different times during the week, but you’re safe going there at noon.

 Did I say the Air Conditioning is wonderful? There are plenty of chairs and tables for all.

***(Tony Butka** is a veteran Eastside community activist with decades of experience in Los Angeles civic life. He has served on a neighborhood council and worked extensively within local government, bringing deep knowledge of policy, budgeting, and urban planning to his advocacy. As a regular contributor to CityWatchLA, Butka offers sharp commentary on city politics, development, and grassroots issues. His writing reflects a commitment to transparency, accountability, and amplifying the voices of historically underserved communities.)*

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