Unreadable: Another Book You Probably Won't Read

by Donald Barger, Grant Lovejoy

Don Barger and Grant Lovejoy didn't set out to write just another book. They conducted hundreds of interviews with people living and working in dozens of some of the world's largest cities. They sought learn how people living in cities obtain information that shapes who they are and what they believe. Over the past few years, there has been a fundamental shift in how people consume and process information in urban environments.

Today's urban world is media-saturated, and the way we communicate is evolving. It’s no longer about books and print. It’s about tapping into the networks people use every day. This book will show you how to reach those who prefer conversations over reading. Discover the power of oral communication and how to connect the gospel message to the hearts of urban audiences. Get ready to transform your ministry with insights that matter, even if you don’t read every word of this book.

Recognizing that many people prefer to obtain information through media, each chapter of Unreadable includes a QR code to help the reader quickly grasp each chapter's key points. Just scan and learn.

123 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 2024

Reviews

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am late in posting this review, but I wanted to share the review of a book some of my coworkers wrote.


His body sways slightly with the stopping and starting of the metro. One hand grips the rail, and the other holds his phone. He’s watching a video on YouTube about the relevance of faith in today’s world and common misconceptions about Christianity.

He found the link to the video online. He is not a Christian but texts the link to a friend and then follows the video creator on Instagram after watching a few Reels.  

Gone are the days when most people read books to learn and gain new information. People worldwide, not just in rural areas, now prefer to learn through oral communication, whether on YouTube or social media, in person, or through online interactions with friends, family and connections made online.

Don Barger and Grant Lovejoy’s book, “Unreadable: Another Book You Probably Won’t Read,” is a journey to discover how people obtain information and how that information shapes how they view themselves and the world.

Barger is the director for Innovation and MX Labs at the International Mission Board (IMB). Lovejoy is the IMB’s director for Scripture and Orality.

“’Unreadable’ invites you into a conversation about how people in cities look for, obtain, process and transmit knowledge and how that process influences their identities, loyalties, animosities, fears, hopes and aspirations,” the authors wrote.

The book delves into whether the methods used to communicate are how people prefer to learn.

Read my full review here: https://www.imb.org/2024/08/21/imb-di...

[Scott Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important look at how we communicate the gospel in cities. Makes the argument that urban dwellers may be literate but many if not most are preferred oral communicators. It uses narrative to cast vision but follows up with strategy on how to work towards that vision. Book is loaded with QR codes for additional tools and content. Highly recommend.

[Beth Withers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle is "Another book you probably won't read", but I read it, cover to cover. I found it to be very informative and gave me much room for to thought. I am not a pastor and may not be planning a large evangelism outreach ministry, but it made me realize how important it is to talk and inform through stories and also how important social media and the internet have become. Any ministry needs to use social media platforms to reach younger people especially. The book mainly focuses on ministry and evangelism in large urban areas, but I found much I could use in my rural community. I am going to pass this on to the pastors at my church. I especially liked the QR codes at the end of the chapters for quick summaries. As busy as the pastors are, that just might be the way for them to get into the book. Good idea to read something where they practice what they preach!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for Christian workers in cross-cultural cities anywhere in the world. Highly recommend.

[Ryan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on oral cultures and the tools and techniques of communicating and in purely oral and preferred oral contexts.

[CFBC Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m almost at a loss to know how to review this book.

I’m guessing it is aimed at people who love to read, because people who don’t wouldn’t read it. Right? Unfortunately, “Unreadable” is just like a textbook which most only pick up if they have to. And I sensed a kind of “you big readers are disconnected from reality” vibe.

Anyway, the book’s premise that the majority prefer to communicate orally rather than read long form is already pretty much common knowledge. So perhaps they are trying to convince those stick-in-the-mud, old bespectacled book readers they need to lighten up and actually talk to people. OK. I can’t imagine, though, why someone involved in evangelism and discipleship would think reading long form is the predominant way to communicate and learn. I’ve worked in the church library for over 20 years and the number of people who take advantage of it is miniscule. And half of those who check out books never read them. Fiction is what is most popular and this is mostly just entertainment.

So I guess I can conclude I agree with the authors. Though if they want to reach leaders of ministries or schools that believe in and rely too heavily on long-form reading they might want to title their book “Reading Is Fun (Just Not for Everybody,” or “Put the Book Down and Let’s Talk.” Or maybe not.

Nevertheless, this book has good, thorough info and examples. Hopefully it will open the eyes of someone who neglects more personal communication (whether orally or digitally) for a unmerited and over reliance on long-form resources.

— reviewed by BH as part of the LibaryThing Early Reviews program