Why Do Some People Read and Others Don't?

 

To conclude this month's hobby theme, I am writing this week about one of my favorite hobbies – reading.  Modern day reading can take many forms, such as a physical book, a digital e-book, magazines, social media, blogs, etc.  But for this article I am going to focus on book reading (both print and digital format).  

 

Benefits of Reading 

Let's start with why reading is good for you.  Catherine Winter lays out some good examples below from her article, 10 Benefits of Reading: Why You Should Read Every Day: 

1. Mental Stimulation For Your Brain 
2. Stress Reduction 
3. Knowledge-Enhancement 
4. Vocabulary Expansion 
5. Improves Your Memory 
6. Stronger Analytical Thinking Skills 
7. Improves Focus and Concentration 
8. Better Writing Skills 
9. Tranquility 
10. Free Source of Entertainment 

How Many Books Does the Average American Read? 

A 2016 Pew Research Center study found that 72% of Americans had read at least one book in the last year and that on average, Americans read 12 books a year.  Realistically though, once you factor out the outliers that don't read at all or those who read hundreds of books a year, most Americans actually read about 4 books a year. (HOW MANY BOOKS DOES THE AVERAGE PERSON READ?) 

 

Reader Traits 

Women tend to read more than men.  More educated and affluent people read more than those with less education or income.  And even though digital alternatives are becoming more popular, the majority of book readers still prefer print books.  

 

An Economist/YouGov online poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted in December 2023 found that 54% of Americans read a book in 2023. More than 40% read a physical book, 21% read an e-book and 19% read an audiobook.  Interestingly, those who prefer e-books, read more books overall in 2023 than those who prefer other book formats.  

 

The most popular genres were mysteries (45% female vs. 28% male) and histories (49% male vs. 24% female). 

 

If you read more than 50 books in 2023, you are in the top 1%. 

 

Why Do People Become Readers?  

Some people are readers and some just aren't.  My research indicates that the main reason we like to read has to do with the household we grew up in.  If you were read to as a child and encouraged to read yourself, chances are good you became a reader.  

 

My parents seem to bear this out.  My mom is a reader, and so was her teacher mom.  My dad, on the other hand, was not a reader, nor were his parents.  There are exceptions, of course.  My brother wasn't a reader, even though we were both raised on books.   

 

The good news is that with a little motivation and practice, even a non-reader can become a reader. 

 

Why Don’t People Want To Read? 

Even people who used to read books sometimes stop.  We don't read for a variety of reasons.  The most common being we don't think they have the time.  Reading an average book can be a 6-12 hour commitment.   

 

If you want to free up some time, take a break from scrolling through social media or watching YouTube videos (my weakness). 

 

Reluctant readers also probably underestimate the benefits of reading.  They may find reading boring.  Especially with more superficial entertainment available like streaming. (3 Real Reasons Why People Don’t Read Books these days) 

 

Tips to Get Started Reading 

If you want to love reading again, or just read more, below are some suggestions: 

• Don't start with a thick or challenging book 
• Pick a short or easy book 
• Try Young Adult fiction  
• Find a book you can't put down   
• But do put it down if you don't like it, and pick something else 
• Pick an old favorite that you know you like 
• Ask your local librarian or friends for recommendations or use online platforms like Goodreads 
• Try reading a chapter at a time or set a short time limit, like 10 minutes, to get in practice 
• Make reading a habit (perhaps read each night before bed), but don't force it 
• Read what you enjoy and what interests you, instead of books that are popular or supposedly good for you 

Personal Preferences 

I have always loved reading.  There have been times in my life (e.g. school, busy at work) when I couldn’t read as much as I wanted to.  But eventually, I always managed to reconnect with books. 

 

I was rather late to the digital party.  Now I love the convenience of e-books and audiobooks.  I know some people "love the feel of a book".  But to me, the content is what is important, not the format. 

 

These days I always have an audiobook going on my iPhone.  It’s easy to find time to listen to a book while I exercise, drive, and do things around the house.  I also try to have a regular book going that I actually have to read.  It’s almost always an e-book on my iPad mini.   

 

Yes, you can read more than one book at a time.  I find it helps to make sure the books aren't similar, so I don't confuse them. 

 

I have a personal library collection of Kindle e-books and Audibles that I often re-read.  But I also take advantage of the public library's Libby app where I can check out e-books and audiobooks for free. Right from the comfort of my own home. 

 

I have eclectic taste and read just about anything.  I tend to gravitate toward mysteries, thrillers and romance.   

 

Do you like to read books?  If so, what kind of books do you read? Do you prefer print or digital?  Do you ever listen to audiobooks?