Draws on the author's extensive research from "Proust and the Squid" to consider the future of the reading brain and its capacity for critical thinking, empathy, and reflection in today's highly digitized world. A decade ago, Wolf's Proust and the Squid revealed what we know about how the brain learns to read and how reading changes the way we think and feel. Now, in a series of letters, Wolf describes her concerns-- and hopes-- about how digital mediums may be changing our brains. Wolf herself has found that her ability to read deeply has been impacted as she becomes increasingly dependent on screens. What could this mean for our future? -- adapted from jacket.

Reading, the canary in the mind -- Under the big top: an unusual view of the reading brain -- Deep reading: is it endangered? -- "What will become of the readers we have been?" -- The raising of children in a digital age -- From laps to laptops in the first five years: don't move too fast -- The science and poetry in reading (and teaching) to read) -- Building a biliterate brain -- Reader, come home.