Reading and the Brain

Human beings were not built to read. We taught ourselves how to do it, and in doing so, we changed way our brains work. That's the subject of a new book by scientist Maryanne Wolf, and tonight on the Front Porch, we'll talk with her about her research. She says the human brain has evolved since we started reading thousands of years ago, and new technology that requires us to pick up books less could have profound consequences on the future of our species.

Maryanne Wolf is professor of Child Development and Director of the Center for Reading and Language Research at Tufts University. Her new book is called Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain.