I feel it too. This summer I've forced myself to read for at least twenty minutes a day and I felt my attention span coming back after a few days and I started looking forward to that regular reading time. I feel SO much better when I'm reading something.

Yes, I think the independent authors have, almost, unsurmountable obstacles (especially with the growing proficiency of A.I.). I continue it because I love it and because I have to keep creating (if I don't depression descends).

Whoa, that's really sad about the secondhand books. I imagine there will be a backlash at some point, where people realize what they're missing.