At the end of the year I saw a lot of New Year’s resolutions mentioned on blogs and social media. Chief among them: “I will read more books/read a book a week.”
As a nation we aren’t doing that. According to a Pew Research study, 26 percent) of U.S. adults say they haven’t read a book – or even part of a book – in the past year.
We can’t blame Kindle Unlimited or Audible for this trend since the study encompassed e-book, audio and print formats. However, the Pew Research Center notes that adults with a high school education (or less) are three times as likely as college grads to cop to ignoring books. People who earn $30,000 a year or less are twice as likely to be non-readers.
Another study indicates that less-educated adults aren’t as likely to own smartphones or tablets, whereas college-educated adults will use them to read e-books. (The study didn’t mention smartphones, however, which it seems that just about everybody owns.)
A book drought
I’ve been a word nerd since age 3 or 4, when my mom noticed that I could read. (Apparently I learned by watching my sisters.) Yet in the past year I’ve read noticeably less, for several reasons:
- I was writing my own book (the second in a series).
- I spent lots of time reading newspapers and magazines.
- I spent lots of time researching (i.e., reading about) the topics I write to make a living.
- I spent lots of time reading (and commenting) on my daughter’s website and friends’ blogs, both to keep in touch with what they’re writing about and to add my voice to the conversation.
That’s not to say I didn’t also read books. I can’t imagine a world without them. And while I don’t like e-books as much as physical ones, I read at least a dozen of them last year – as an Amazon Prime member, each month I get to choose a freebie from a bunch of featured e-books.
Many evenings you’ll find DF and I reading in adjoining armchairs. Sometimes the classical station is on; sometimes it’s absolutely silent except for the whisper of pages being turned. However, I found myself using the computer in the past year, which somehow doesn’t feel the same as reading.
Sure, technically, I’m reading. The Washington Post, Nerdwallet, The New Yorker, Get Rich Slowly, The Atlantic, Wise Bread, The New Yorker and (sigh) Facebook – all are full of words and I am taking them in. But reading from a laptop or tablet isn’t the same as reading books, even when I’m reading one of those free ones from Amazon Prime.
Mixing it up
When I have trouble concentrating at home I’ll go to the main city library to write. Invariably I bring home a book or two. (Or five.) I like to mix it up, the geeky how-things-are-made nonfiction works, classic literature, offbeat novels, a bit of sci-fi here and there.
Some recent reads: “Garment of Shadows,” one of the Holmes and Russell novels by Laurie R. King; “Strange Weather,” a quartet of novellas by Joe Hill (who can be as mesmerizing and as creepy as his dad, Stephen King); “Butter: A Rich History” (and thanks, Elaine Khosrova, for letting me know that I need to visit the Cork Butter Museum in Ireland); “Lockdown: A Novel of Suspense,” also by Laurie R. King; and “Earth,” by Emile Zola.
After reading “Earth,” I succumbed to an irresistible deal: $1.63 for all 32 of Zola’s books (plus the major criticisms of his work). At that price, you can pretty much guess that it was an e-collection. It’s not that I have anything against electronic books, but rather that I prefer the feeling of a book in my hands.
Since the main city library had just one (one!) Zola tome, it was either get a whole bunch of inter-library loans or buy the $1.63 omnibus.
Reading isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Some people are proud to admit they haven’t willingly opened books since they finished school. My grandmother had only one book in her house: the Bible.
For me, reading is life. It’s my main form of entertainment. Even in a down year like this one, I spend far more time reading than watching television, going to the movies, or hanging out with family and friends.
More time for words
Although I’m not given to New Year’s resolutions myself, I’d like to make more time for leisure reading this year. I love books: the stories they tell, the places they take me and the perspectives I might not otherwise have gotten.
As an autodidact who has never taken a writing class, I owe my writing ability to a wide variety of books, beginning when I was 3 or 4 and the adults in my life noticed that I was reading on my own. My dad used to take my siblings and me to the library in a nearby city, where one of my earliest memories is being challenged by the children’s librarian when I tried to take out “Charlotte’s Web.” I had to read the first page aloud before she’d let me have it.
The drive home couldn’t have taken more than 10 or 15 minutes. Each time I’d tell myself, “You’ll feel sick if you start reading” – and each time I’d start reading anyway, unable to resist the lure of new words, new stories, new situations. By the time I got out of the car I was always queasy and a little unsteady on my pins. Totally worth it.
Readers: Are you reading more or less than you used to?
I teach for a living so reading books is a job requirement in my opinion. I’ve started using the goodreads app though to help me keep track. I love the challenge of setting yearly reading goals it helps me remember what I’ve actually read.
I am reading fewer books than before. One of the lens in my glasses is beyond repair and missing anyway. So, reading is so difficult. However, I decided I will read anyway, even if I get eyestrain. I am a voracious reader of books. I will read anything, so reading on the computer is okay for what I read. Someone gave me an electronic book, but I won’t use it. When I was ten going on eleven, I read all the Leatherstocking Tales.
I love words. I love books and reading.
Practical Parisomny – Zennioptical . com, can help you reclaim your ability to read the words you love for mere pennies. The price you see quoted is both the frame and single vision lenses – pick one of the 6.99 glasses (I like the ones with spring hinges), $5.00 shipping, and you are back in business for $12.
And if you order through a cash-back website, you’ll pay even less.
Our library has a great program that allows you to register for your favorite authors, and when a new book is released you are automatically on the list to receive a loan.
I, too, love books and magazines and was an early reader. The whole family was and what else was I to do?!
I also prefer “real” books, but have them loaded on my tablet and Iphone that I downloaded for free from BookBub; therefore always available.
Thanks for your columns!
Books <3
I'm definitely not reading books as much as I used to these days. News stories, Twitter, and random research suck my time. I remember racing to finish the next Harry Potter book, or tracking down the next book in an obscure fantasy series…these days I'm averaging maybe two books a month, including audiobooks but excluding graphic novels. One of my problems is I tend to read as if I'm speaking, so I'm not naturally a fast reader!
I'm so in love with our library network, though, as the selection is fantastic (the "Modernist Bread" series just got in — drool!), and they've got subscriptions to apps like Hoopla and Overdrive for digital lending. I'll often get audiobooks like this and play them as I'm cleaning or doing some other mindless task — though there are lots of amazing story-driven podcasts I'll tend towards sometimes instead (currently listening to a series about Heaven's Gate — absolutely fascinating and horrific to hear the history and evolution of a life-taking cult).
I was the same, always reading and reading early. I find now that its hard to get through a book, life these days is just too full of distractions. Some of that has to do with being an adult I suppose but also computers, smart phones, tvs etc are constantly stealing our time.
I’ve been reading while my son & husband have been watching the all the football games this season-college & NFL.
I always enjoyed reading especially these last 15 years but I’ve become an avid reader since my retirement. I average over 100 books a year. I read primarily ebooks because I can get them for free. But I do have a vast collection of print books from library book sales and thrift stores.
I’m just about caught up with several fantasy series my sister lent me, so I’ve been reading a bit more lately. I’ve spent the last couple of years catching up with a podcast on the history of the English language: History of English Podcast. Lots of history and loads of etymology. Perfect for us word nerds!
One of my resolutions for the previous year was reading more books and I kept it. I’ve always been an avid reader, but for many years concentrated on magazines and newspapers. I discovered that you can find tons of great books at thrift stores, so that’s where I get most of my books these days. I read more slowly than I used to, so I seldom check out library books. I need to read them at my own pace, so if it takes me longer than a month to finish a book, I’m not pressured to finish it quickly.
I read every evening. One book after another. All year long. If I don’t have a book to read, need to get one. I’m addicted to reading. No television for years, just books and quiet music. Been a reader for most all my 87 years. Hope to see you back on GRS one of these days Donna.
Funny you should mention that — I’m there today:
http://www.getrichslowly.org/2018/01/10/lifestyle-inflation/
I am reading less than I used to – “used to” being when I was in school and would read every night before bed. Now I find that I don’t read before bed as much.
I was curious to see how much I *was* reading though – so the last 2 years I’ve been keeping track of how many books I read each year. Prior to this, I last kept track in 2010 – so I’m definitely doing a lot less than I had been even 7 years ago!
2017 – 156
2016 – 143
2010 – 200
Okay, now you’ve got me wanting to keep track. Wonder what it’ll be like? At the very least, I can do a column this time next year reporting the results. 🙂
Thanks for reading, and for leaving a comment.
I use Goodreads to track!
I also learned to read by the age of 4 and I haven’t stopped – I always have at least 1 book on the go. When I was working I’d have smaller paperbacks to carry back and forth on my commute while I’d have a hardback at home.
I probably average at least 1 to 2 books a week and I use old-fashioned books. A friend did give me an e-reader a couple of years ago but didn’t enjoy it. We have an excellent library system here in Toronto, which I use, but I’m also an addict when it comes to books and bookstores – it’s the one area where I find it difficult to economize.
Since retirement my routine is to do housework, errands etc. in the morning and then I read in the afternoon – TV is saved for the evening. During the day I like to listen to classical music and at the moment I’m working my way through many composers. I read their bios and then call up different compositions on YouTube – I enjoy having it on in the background.
We are fortunate to have a full-time classical music station in our city. DF has a decent collection of CDs as well. I’m mostly out of touch with pop music.
I’m looking forward to retiring and being able to readreadread. Not yet. Sigh.
Thanks for reading, and for leaving a comment.
I read 52 new books last year and re-read an additional 6. I read ebooks exclusively for a variety of reasons. I get them from the library.
Since I know you are a busy person, I salute your ability to do a book per week.
I’m reading less than I used to (some 50-odd last year, down from the 100+ I used to average) because I just can’t listen as fast as I used to read visually. Last year was a 50/50 split between fiction and non-fiction, a bit heavier on the NF than usual. I keep adding intriguing titles to my library wishlist, and I’m just not running across as many fiction recommendations as I used to. I need to visit the BookCrossing forums more often.
Are we really reading less than we used to, or are we just reading fewer books? I read audiobooks, audio magazines, blogs, online articles, and social media. I was a little wistful that my son hadn’t picked up a book in a long time, until I realized how much online fiction he was reading–including some lengthy serializations. My instinct is that we’re reading less, or at least less book-length stuff, but there are a lot of permutations of reading to consider.
I too have found that my reading drops off when writing increases, and vice-versa.
We’re reading fewer books. I will cop to spending too much time online (commenting on friends’ sites, reading newspapers, et al.) and that definitely takes away from my book reading. Then when I do go back to a book I think, “This is great! Why don’t I read books every night?!?”
While I wouldn’t wish fewer books in your life per se, I do hope that the writing increases.
Usually I choose to read non-fiction plus a few murder mysteries. I belong to a book club and the best part about it is that it gets me reading outside of my comfort genre which is mind expanding. I also find lots of new interesting authors on the take one/leave one book shelves at hostels when I am budget traveling in other countries. Sometimes there will be only one book in English on the shelf so that is what I read. I am always shocked when I stay over night in someones house and cannot find one book to read in their house.
It’s hard to imagine a house without books. But I always have one with me when I travel (and I bet you do, too).
I’ve also picked up books at hostels. Left new ones there, too.
Thanks for reading, and for leaving a comment.
Reading has always been my favorite hobby. Last summer I checked 3-5 books out per week at the library. Now with school back in session I have to read for school and my leisure reading time goes way down. I am so happy my 3 kids are voracious readers too.
I didn’t realize you were back in school. So glad to hear it! In your copious free time, e-mail me about your studies.
Thanks for being a reader since the beginning.
We were very poor growing up, as in eat hamburger one night and the grease on bread the next. But every single Friday, when my father got paid, he would buy the groceries for the week and one book for me. I know there were times when the work (he did manual labor) was scarce and so was food, but there was always a book on Friday, until I entered first grade and could use the school library. I was very young and they were those slender Golden Books. But they helped me develop a love of reading.
What a wonderful testament to his love for you. Thanks for sharing it.
I read a lot! And reread a lot. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of high quality regency M/M fiction. My latest discovery is Cat Sebastian (after reading all the KJ Charles there is to read, and reading some Jordan L Hawke which wasn’t as good).
I read more now than ever. We started camping about 6 years ago and I now get thru 3 books during the summer. It is a new found love since I now have time to sit and just jump into the story until I want to stop.
I’m a lifelong bookworm. I read about 75 – 100 a year, fiction and nonfiction—I especially love history and biographies. (I have a degree in German language, literature and history so being a fast reader was a necessity in my college years!) Now that my teenage son is attending classes in a town 45 minutes away but doesn’t have a driver’s license, I have a couple of hours to kill each day while I wait for him. I always have at least one book with me. I’m a huge fan of the King County Library System here in the Seattle area and I almost never buy books any more. We moved a lot over the years and I gradually sold or gave away 95% of mine. But what I love about library books is the freedom they give me—if the book doesn’t grab my attention pretty quickly, I just turn it back in. There’s so many books to read, I just go on to the next one. If I had paid money for the book, even if I got it at a thrift store, I’d feel obligated to keep reading.
That’s what I’m enjoying about my library work visits as well: I get to see a lot of new titles, and if I don’t like a book I can return it partially read.
My old apartment in Seattle was about a mile and a half from a branch library. Very convenient. It was also within a mile of a grocery store, bank, drugstore and supermarket, which is one reason I had no qualms about giving my car to my daughter and son-in-law when they moved. If I needed anything further away, one of three bus lines near the apartment would take me.
It was decades before I “discovered” it was not a sin quit reading an unappealing book. And come to think of it, I do believe it coincided with living a half mile from the library where I was a very frequent borrower.
I read every day – a couple blogs if I can squeeze them into my day and books at night even if only a few pages. It’s one of the few things I didn’t give up when taking on the parenting challenge and won’t give up come hell or high water.
I do rely heavily on the Kindle though. I love real books but they sorely (hah) aggrieve my hands. I had swollen hands for two days after holding and turning pages of a paperback. Sigh. Aging and whatnot 😉
Ouch. That’s why audiobooks and e-books will become more popular as the population ages: They don’t hurt us!
I read too many blogs* and WAY too much news. If I can get myself on an e-fast, I’d probably read more books. Then again, I’ve got a stack of five of them next to me and have finished three in the past 10 days or so. (Leaving the thickest ones for last.)
*And of course I will always read your blog, Revanche.
I read an average of three books a week (but I’m retired, remember?), but having said that, mine would be the house where you would have to search for something paper to read. I went to the dark side long ago, and rarely bought fiction, just got it from the library. So there are some classic books and some paperbacks, but everything else? digital. A frightening number.
I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but I read more in the warm weather-probably cause I’m outside with the dogs and watching the plant whisperer work in the yard, sitting on my swing. Right now I’m still reading, but also plowing through all those cool Netflix mysteries with subtitles lol
My goal for the past few years has been to read two books a month. I’m actually trying NOT to exceed that because for me, reading can become a form of procrastination. (A rewarding form of procrastination, to be sure, but procrastination nonetheless.) I’m trying to do more writing than reading this year, so I think that your writing a book is a completely valid reason for not reading more!
I exclusively use the library (1) because I’m frugal and (2) because popular titles can’t be renewed and must be returned in three weeks. That looming deadline is a great motivator.
I also get library e-books onto my smartphone, so I can read instead of hopping onto the internet while waiting in line or at the doctor’s office, but I fear I’m going to have to give that up soon because my vision ain’t what it used to be.
I am a lifelong reader.I joined the library. Last week I badgered my daughter into joining so I could borrow twice as many books. She borrowed her own books-the traitor. Today she asked if we could go back this week again. She needs more research material. I am thrilled she is reading again, even if mostly for work. We did however fight over an Alexander Mc Call Smith No.1 Ladies Detective book. Now I have to work on the other daughter.
I noticed that they’re selling “rooibos” tea in stores. Wonder if that has to do with the book series? Or maybe it was always there and I’m just now noticing it.
Weirdly enough, recently I’ve started reading ACTUAL REAL BOOKS again. Picked up a few aging magnum opuses (opi???) in the church book sale a few weeks ago — Vidal’s _Lincoln_, a collection of (occasionally awful, sometimes fun) Roald Dahl stories, Jane Smiley’s _Some Luck_, and a couple others that await my attention. I LOVED the Smiley book(!!) and promptly ordered the two other books in the series from Amazon, hardbacks at sub-rock-bottom prices. I had forgotten how much I enjoy reading real books.
The computer is hypnotic (as the cobra to the mouse). The book, however, is engaging.