Being a little literal, but I can guarantee someone has said 1, 3, 5, and 7 in the past twenty years. Heck, probably the last year.

Payphones are still a thing in some places and get used - I started doing a thing involving them a yearish ago (it’s in my post history if anyone really cares). Literally had someone ask “Hey, are you done with that phone?” as I was jotting down its number, which was shocking. Can confirm where I am they still take coins (it’s 50 cents now, unless you’re calling a toll-free number).

VHS is making a … come back isn’t really the right word, but there’s a small number of folks interested in what’s on old tapes they find and some hobbyists swap stuff. And there are still a few video rental places around (though really, really rare - or near places like campsites, catering to folks with cars that still have DVD players or households with spotty internet).

It’s all still disappearing, no doubt, but not 100% dead yet.

I wouldn’t go that far - oftentimes people actually do like those books that get name dropped for clout.

I would say if you take a recommendation and aren’t digging the book, drop it with absolutely no guilt. If something like (for example) Infinite Jest just feels like a slog with no payoff, and you just wanna kick back with something trashy, do it and fuck the haters.

But you may find you dig it - you won’t know without giving it a shot.