Recent studies have highlighted a disturbing trend: over 50 percent of American adults haven't read a book in the past year. Worse still, fewer younger people are reading, and they read less than half the amount of older generations.
This is a unfortunate, since reading has so many scientifically-backed benefits: it increases intelligence, improves memory (especially in later life), makes it easier to relate to others, reduces stress, helps us to sleep better, and more.
So why aren't people reading as much as they once did? And what can be done to reverse this trend? In this post, I take a stab at answering both those questions. Here are 5 reasons why people aren't reading, and 5 good solutions to this problem:
This is a unfortunate, since reading has so many scientifically-backed benefits: it increases intelligence, improves memory (especially in later life), makes it easier to relate to others, reduces stress, helps us to sleep better, and more.
So why aren't people reading as much as they once did? And what can be done to reverse this trend? In this post, I take a stab at answering both those questions. Here are 5 reasons why people aren't reading, and 5 good solutions to this problem:
1. Not Enough Time
I understand that people are busy, but prioritizing reading is essentially a matter of first, finding time in your schedule, and second, making a goal or habit of doing it (which I'll get to in number 5 below). Reading should be something that is fun and enriching, and we can all make time for fun if we want to.
I really struggled with finding time to read when my children were younger, and being tired often didn't help. Lately, I have found that having books in different formats for different situations helps. Now, I might read an eBook on Kindle in the evening, and a paper book during the day when I can make time to do so.
Finding time to read can be as simple as bringing a book along/reading an eBook on your phone any time you need to wait, during lunch/breaks, or finding other times to make reading a priority.
Audiobooks are also a great option, especially if you have a commute. Audiobooks free you up to do other activities while you are listening. Some surveys indicating that 25 percent of American's haven't read a book in the past year, jump up to 50 percent when audiobooks aren't included. While I think that audiobooks aren't exactly the same as the physical/mental act of reading, they are definitely better than nothing at all. You are still getting some of the benefits of reading, such as learning, visualizing, or potentially increasing your vocabulary.
I really struggled with finding time to read when my children were younger, and being tired often didn't help. Lately, I have found that having books in different formats for different situations helps. Now, I might read an eBook on Kindle in the evening, and a paper book during the day when I can make time to do so.
Finding time to read can be as simple as bringing a book along/reading an eBook on your phone any time you need to wait, during lunch/breaks, or finding other times to make reading a priority.
Audiobooks are also a great option, especially if you have a commute. Audiobooks free you up to do other activities while you are listening. Some surveys indicating that 25 percent of American's haven't read a book in the past year, jump up to 50 percent when audiobooks aren't included. While I think that audiobooks aren't exactly the same as the physical/mental act of reading, they are definitely better than nothing at all. You are still getting some of the benefits of reading, such as learning, visualizing, or potentially increasing your vocabulary.
2. Books are Expensive
Some people may think that books are expensive or they not have enough extra money in their budget for books. First, I actually don't think the expense of books is much of an impediment in this day and age, as so many eBooks are available at a deep discount on Kindle and other platforms. Moreover, any book published before 1923 is in the public domain, and more common pre-1923 books are often available to download for free online. This has been a boon to me when researching ancient philosophy, since various translations are freely available.
Second, as a librarian, I can attest to that fact pretty much every community in the country has a public library, and we can get you almost any book for free (unless it is extremely old and/or rare). At my library, if we don't have a book, we can obtain it by buying a copy for our collection, via an e-book copy, or through inter-library loan. Use the public library!
Libraries are especially valuable if you have children for several reasons. First, I don't personally like e-books for reading to children, and the library has a huge selection of non-eBooks. Second, you can introduce children to a wide range of new books that you don't have at home. That way, you don't have to purchase more and more children's books that kids grow out of in a few years. And finally, it is fun for children to go to the library. Visiting the library encourages them to value reading. I'm always looking for something to do with my kids on weekends or over the summer; libraries also have great programs for young children and homeschoolers.
Second, as a librarian, I can attest to that fact pretty much every community in the country has a public library, and we can get you almost any book for free (unless it is extremely old and/or rare). At my library, if we don't have a book, we can obtain it by buying a copy for our collection, via an e-book copy, or through inter-library loan. Use the public library!
Libraries are especially valuable if you have children for several reasons. First, I don't personally like e-books for reading to children, and the library has a huge selection of non-eBooks. Second, you can introduce children to a wide range of new books that you don't have at home. That way, you don't have to purchase more and more children's books that kids grow out of in a few years. And finally, it is fun for children to go to the library. Visiting the library encourages them to value reading. I'm always looking for something to do with my kids on weekends or over the summer; libraries also have great programs for young children and homeschoolers.
3. Not Knowing What to Read
I can't imagine having this problem, since I have a reading list that is probably 100 books long, but it is common for many potential readers.
Most people read either for fun/entertainment or for personal growth, so that is a good place to start if you don't know what to read. Read something that is enjoyable for you, or that will improve your life, and then apply it. Popular fiction or personal finance books appeal to a lot of people.
Librarians are also a valuable resource if you don't know what to read. We have reader's advisory tools and can make suggestions for you. You don't even have to go to the library in person, you can call or send an email.
Going to the library or a bookstore is also a great way to browse for books. Amazon and Good Reads also make online browsing easy by suggesting similar items to books that you may already like. It's easy to click on one suggestion, and go on from there and even read reviews until you find multiple things that you like.
You can also join a book club. Then you don't have to pick out books yourself and you will also have others to discuss the books with, which may encourage you to read.
Most people read either for fun/entertainment or for personal growth, so that is a good place to start if you don't know what to read. Read something that is enjoyable for you, or that will improve your life, and then apply it. Popular fiction or personal finance books appeal to a lot of people.
Librarians are also a valuable resource if you don't know what to read. We have reader's advisory tools and can make suggestions for you. You don't even have to go to the library in person, you can call or send an email.
Going to the library or a bookstore is also a great way to browse for books. Amazon and Good Reads also make online browsing easy by suggesting similar items to books that you may already like. It's easy to click on one suggestion, and go on from there and even read reviews until you find multiple things that you like.
You can also join a book club. Then you don't have to pick out books yourself and you will also have others to discuss the books with, which may encourage you to read.
4. Phones and Social Media Competing for Our Attention
Technology competing with reading has been going for generations now, since the invention of the phonograph, radio, and television. However, smartphones and social media seem to be in a league of their own when it comes to distracting us as indicated by recent data points on attention span, and younger generations are reading far less than Boomers and Generation X. There is a high likelihood that addiction to phones and social media is a big part of why younger people in particular aren't reading as much.
Having grown up immersed in this digital space and loosing the positive benefits of reading isn't doing the younger generations any favors psychologically or intellectually. Even adults struggle with the addictive effects of phones and social media, and balancing these with more beneficial activities; this likely even more difficult for younger teens who are so immersed with their peers.
According to Jeremy Adams, who became a teacher on account of the power of books to transform lives, things changed once smartphones entered the classroom around 2011. He writes:
"Yet in my two decades of teaching high school in California’s Central Valley, perhaps the biggest change I have noticed is that the belief that reading both enlarges and enlivens life itself has largely vanished from the lives of my young students. Today’s teenagers certainly read all day — memes, posts, tweets — but it is all of a transitory, casual nature. Reading books has been sacrificed to the tyranny of texting and the dizzying array of social media platforms...
Some of my more reflective students are aware of what is happening to them. Two years ago, during the last week of school, I asked a class of high school seniors what advice they would give their freshman selves. The class valedictorian raised his hand and matter-of-factly intoned, “I would find a cliff and throw my phone off of it.” This young man knew there was a gap between who he was and what he could be. He recognized he had to do something drastic."
I agree, and I'm going to suggest something that may sound radical: don't give kids or younger teens their own smartphones. Hear me out: many discerning parents, educators, and even tech entrepreneurs who in some cases invented such technology, are against smart phone use for kids or younger teens whose brains are still developing and who lack the necessary maturity to navigate social media without negative psychological effects. My friend Brendan Malone, a father of five, mentioned in our YouTube interview that his children aren't allowed to have a smart phone until they turn 16, and even then they have to buy it themselves.
Moreover, if we want children to read more, we should probably not allow kids their own smart phones and social media accounts until they are older and reading has become established as a firm habit for them, which brings us to the final section.
Having grown up immersed in this digital space and loosing the positive benefits of reading isn't doing the younger generations any favors psychologically or intellectually. Even adults struggle with the addictive effects of phones and social media, and balancing these with more beneficial activities; this likely even more difficult for younger teens who are so immersed with their peers.
According to Jeremy Adams, who became a teacher on account of the power of books to transform lives, things changed once smartphones entered the classroom around 2011. He writes:
"Yet in my two decades of teaching high school in California’s Central Valley, perhaps the biggest change I have noticed is that the belief that reading both enlarges and enlivens life itself has largely vanished from the lives of my young students. Today’s teenagers certainly read all day — memes, posts, tweets — but it is all of a transitory, casual nature. Reading books has been sacrificed to the tyranny of texting and the dizzying array of social media platforms...
Some of my more reflective students are aware of what is happening to them. Two years ago, during the last week of school, I asked a class of high school seniors what advice they would give their freshman selves. The class valedictorian raised his hand and matter-of-factly intoned, “I would find a cliff and throw my phone off of it.” This young man knew there was a gap between who he was and what he could be. He recognized he had to do something drastic."
I agree, and I'm going to suggest something that may sound radical: don't give kids or younger teens their own smartphones. Hear me out: many discerning parents, educators, and even tech entrepreneurs who in some cases invented such technology, are against smart phone use for kids or younger teens whose brains are still developing and who lack the necessary maturity to navigate social media without negative psychological effects. My friend Brendan Malone, a father of five, mentioned in our YouTube interview that his children aren't allowed to have a smart phone until they turn 16, and even then they have to buy it themselves.
Moreover, if we want children to read more, we should probably not allow kids their own smart phones and social media accounts until they are older and reading has become established as a firm habit for them, which brings us to the final section.
5. Not Making Reading a Goal or a Habit
If we want to accomplish anything, we need make that thing a priority in our lives. Each New Years, I purposely make it one of my goals to read 10 books that year. Some years I exceed that goal by a lot. The amount of books I read is less important than the fact that I am consciously making it my goal to read.
The best way to incorporate any goal into our lives is to make it into a habit. This goes along with number 1 above, finding time to read. If you are trying to read more, figure out when you can read during a typical day, put reading on your calendar or schedule, and then do it.
Also, consider the one book rule if you are trying to get into the habit of reading: finishing just one book makes you much more likely to make reading an ongoing habit, probably through the sense of accomplishment gained by reading a book from beginning to end.
With all the benefits, fun and personal growth potential that books can deliver, we need to re-prioritize reading as individuals and as a 21st society.
~
I have started a Twitter/X account, Rediscover Reading, all about books as high quality leisure. Come check it out.
Read Next:
Read These 5 Books For a Deeper Understanding of Politics
Virtue Begins at Home With Intentional Family Culture
The Most Powerful Tool for Living Your Best Life
The best way to incorporate any goal into our lives is to make it into a habit. This goes along with number 1 above, finding time to read. If you are trying to read more, figure out when you can read during a typical day, put reading on your calendar or schedule, and then do it.
Also, consider the one book rule if you are trying to get into the habit of reading: finishing just one book makes you much more likely to make reading an ongoing habit, probably through the sense of accomplishment gained by reading a book from beginning to end.
With all the benefits, fun and personal growth potential that books can deliver, we need to re-prioritize reading as individuals and as a 21st society.
~
I have started a Twitter/X account, Rediscover Reading, all about books as high quality leisure. Come check it out.
Read Next:
Read These 5 Books For a Deeper Understanding of Politics
Virtue Begins at Home With Intentional Family Culture
The Most Powerful Tool for Living Your Best Life
