As I write this, my latest book “The United States of Trump” is ranked number 56 on Amazon, the biggest book seller in the country.  But here’s the thing:  there are only five REAL books in front of me.  The rest of the top 50 are kids books, cookbooks, diet tomes, and self help things.

 

The most popular book in the country right now is “100 Recipes to Live to 100.”  Begging the question: why would anyone want to do that?  I mean, ancient is tough.  Very difficult.

 

I would buy a book entitled: “Eat Like This and You Will Die Happy Around Age 85.” That is a book I want to read.

 

The second biggest selling book according to Amazon is “Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Wrecking Ball.”

 

The Wimpy kid series is fabulously successful because we are living in an age where wimpy kids rule.  The wimpier they are, the more their moms like it.  For some reason.

 

The third book on the bestseller list is “Dog Man, from the Creator of Captain Underpants.”

 

Now, if this isn’t an indicator of the collapse of American culture, I don’t know what is.  How exactly did Mr. Underpants get promoted to captain? What ethnicity is the last name Underpants, anyway?  Scandinavian?

 

Dog Man, I understand.  Captain Underpants, no.

 

The fact that real books with actual plots and facts do not sell... is depressing - especially to a guy who writes those kinds of books.  But that is what’s happening.  Like music, movies, and TV, the publishing industry is on the verge of collapse.

 

That because of the machines, the smart phones which can dial up all kinds of diversions in seconds.  Why read a book when you can YouTube?

 

The Romans had bread and circuses.  We have Instagram and Google.  Think about it.

 

See you tonight for the No Spin News.