How (and Why) You Should Rediscover Reading
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” - Stephen King
Be it fact or fiction, paper or screen, reading can range from a pleasurable pastime to an intensely immersive experience that speaks directly to our souls. Children are constantly encouraged to stick their noses in books, absorb knowledge and develop those all-important critical thinking skills, but is our obsession with creating juvenile bookworms distracting us from a potential adult reading crisis?
You’ve Heard of Writer’s Block - Meet Reader’s Rut
“... a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” – George R.R. Martin
In 2024, The Reading Agency reported that half of all adults in the UK don’t read regularly. Even more worrying, they found that one in six adults (around 8.5 million people) struggle to read at all. Clearly, we need to do more to improve literacy and encourage kids to appreciate books from an early age. However, it’s just as important to think about helping those young readers maintain the habit as they grow older.
Schemes like free book tokens on World Book Day are great for getting children excited about reading, but their long-term impact is questionable if the habit fades as soon as they reach adulthood. The Reading Agency found that among 16–24-year-olds, a quarter were never regular readers, while 44% are considered “lapsed readers.” In other words, even the people who enjoyed reading have fallen out of it.
Whether or not we should blame our phones, as some older generations prefer, is hard to tell. The fact that 28% of people struggle to focus on reading for more than a few minutes suggests social media might be affecting our attention spans. But adults who are studying at university or working full-time also have packed schedules, so it’s just as likely that responsibilities are the real culprit.
Another possible reason might be the alleged drop in book quality. Plenty of readers say modern fiction feels repetitive and unoriginal, built around the same tropes over and over again. And really, if the stories don’t capture you, it’s easy to see why people stop making time to read.
Still, despite all that, reading has many positives that make it well worth revisiting.
The rewards of reading
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss
Most people would agree that reading is good for you, but the actual benefits are often underappreciated. Numerous studies acknowledge the positive impact reading can have on verbal, writing and critical thinking skills. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development went as far as stating that ‘being a frequent reader is more of an advantage than having well educated parents’ which reinforces the notion that reading supports success. Beyond that, books tend to encourage emotional and mental well-being. Isn’t that something we all want?
Getting back into it
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!” - Jane Austen
The likelihood is that anyone reading an article is already in a better position than most when it comes to reading. Still, you may appreciate our tips on how to coax out your inner bookworm:
1. Quick Reads: This is an initiative taken up by best-selling authors to write books that encourage reading among adults through short, accessible (but still high-quality) storytelling.
2. Media: When you find a good story, you want to explore it as many ways as possible. Reading books with film or TV show adaptations can be a fun way to motivate yourself.
3. Environment: Of the people who do read regularly, 54% claimed it was while they were on holiday. Free time is probably the main factor here, but we can’t deny that a nice location enhances your reading experience. Providing you keep your book protected, reading outside can be highly enjoyable, particularly if your book’s themes reflect your location.
Time to get wild about reading - this isn’t your average book bag.
Ladies Wash Bag | Beauty Kit Case in Leopard Tan | VICTORIA GREEN – Victoria Green
4. Book Clubs: The best way to join the reading community is to quite literally join the reading community! There may be a Book Society at university or a Reading Club in your city, a quick google search can help you find your nearest group. Being surrounded by like-minded people (online or in-person) is a great way to rekindle your love for reading.
5. Libraries: Borrowing books is perfect if you want to try something you’re not sure you’ll like. Both public and university libraries are well-known for having a wide book selection with both silent and social spaces to read. University libraries typically have more academic books whereas public libraries have a greater fictitious selection.
6. Charity shops: Buying second-hand books is kind to your pocket and the environment. Even better, the eclectic range may help you discover a book you wouldn’t have considered before. To top it all off, you’ll be funding good causes!
So, be it fact or fiction, paper or screen, reading is an easy hobby to fall back into. For something that can awaken your imagination and add richness to your life, why wait to begin?
The End
