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Why do you think non-book-lovers don't read? It's kind of depressing how so many people don't like to read. I think it's even sadder because books are fun, inexpensive, portable, and you don't have to charge them or worry about them dying when you're running errands and need something to read when you're in a long line at the bank or grocery store.

I agree with you that books are great fun. And that you can read when you are waiting for just about anything, like buses or shoppping lines and bank lines. Its amazing how fast limes move when we're reading. I read on my phone though, so if im not careful, my book can run out of charge.....I do repair work for houses and I find lots of times when the customer might be running a bit late and I get a chance to read.
I think that its more relaxing to some, to let other things entertain them vs. Letting your mind exercise a little and enjoy a story along the way. Its just a preference I beilieve. I tell as many people as possible about what I am reading at any given time. I got one family to start group reading a book together. Well, I didnt get them to, but they decided to, after I described my reading "Damage" by josephine Hart. So it never hurts to share what we are reading, to encourage others to pick it up. I see this family quite a bit in my work, because I buy from them in their store, in my line of work. Their son is always asking what I am reading. They say I sound like a book promoter..... too funny....

I have been saying the exact same thing. I work in a pretty high stress Job and keep telling the people I work with all about the books im reading in hopes that i can get them to read as well. I found the most common excuse for not reading i find is "I'm just too busy." So i just keep trying lol

EXACTLY!! I think the media is a big influence these days. As much as I love book-to-movie interpretations, I think too many people are starting to think, 'meh, I'll just wait for the movie to come out.' Being such a believer in reading, I just don't find the experience the same. There are so many details in books that can't be conveyed in the movies, and that makes me sad.

I've asked many of my friends why they don't read books and have almost always gotten the same answer that they've tried and didn't find it as interesting as watching a movie or listening to a song. Some wouldn't even have given reading a chance but positively say that it's not their thing.

Our imagination is in full force when we read or listen to (audio books) a book. We have to concentrate, visualise, and interpret each and every word to understand the meaning that they try to convey. But once we get into it, it's possible to forget how much work our brain has to do for this. People who say that reading is boring wouldn't have gotten into the book before quitting it (that also depends upon the type of book they read for the first time). Not everybody likes to read every genre, so I think you have to be careful while choosing your book. If you are someone who likes romance genre but end up reading an autobiographical book as your very first read, because it was recommended it to you, you'll probably quit halfway through that book thinking reading is not your "thing".

If I get free time, I take up a book and read. But if my friends get any, they'll probably watch movies. When you are watching a movie, there is no need for imagination, everything is already just there in front of your eyes! Now, should I call them lazy for not preferring reading?

It's not easy to make someone read a book. You can't really get them to read unless they also want to. I think inspiring them, rather than forcing, will always work better and have a long lasting effect. I'm a collage student and when I don't have any classes and am free, I'll purposely read a novel even if all my friends were chatting. I'm so happy to say that now some of them have started reading as well because of me (at first they tried to read because they thought it was a cool habit, but now they've gotten a taste of it and are reading because they actually like it)!

I think with many they just don't have time, as has already been mentioned. Or rather, they don't want to take the time, and would prefer to spend hours on social media (ie: Facebook). And yet others would rather go to the movies and be entertained that way. Different strokes for different folks, however I do wish more would take the time to pick up a book and lose themselves in a great story. They are the ones missing out!

A lot of people tell me that they don't have time to read. Granted, these are usually the very same people who find the time to binge watch popular TV shows. They can give me a complete rundown of what happened on their favorite show, but they don't have time to read.

I also find that many people think they have to go all in/gung ho with reading. (They decide that they are going to get back into reading and decide to start with War and Peace and get disappointed that they were not able to get through it in a day like they used to be able to do with a typical bestseller.) In my opinion, it's okay if it takes you years to get through certain books. It's also okay if you have to put a book aside for a while and come back to it.

Some people also like certain types of books and are ashamed or embarrassed to admit it. Romance, erotica and YA are especially prone to what I call "genre shaming" among some people.

Mochaspresso wrote: "A lot of people tell me that they don't have time to read. Granted, these are usually the very same people who find the time to binge watch popular TV shows. They can give me a complete rundown o..."

I agree that "genre shaming" can make some readers feel insignificant in the literary world. I've actually seen genres like those be the triggers for some of my friends who were never readers to give it more of a shot, though. I never used to be a big fan of YA lit, probably because I was reading a lot of the classics for my classes, but now it's one of my favorite things to read. And as Nicholas said, different people just enjoy different forms of entertainment. A lot of my friends would rather be active by going out to the bar or something along those lines, but I prefer being curled up with a book and being active in the sense that my mind's working while I read.

Some people just don't like reading. My daughter is a perfect example of this. I'm an avid reader, I started reading to her as an infant, we read every night, on Saturday afternoons we would spend hours at Barnes and Noble. In high school she just stopped being interested in reading, it was just that simple. She had a parent willing to get her any book she wanted,a library within walking distance, an e- reader but she just lost interest. She is now almost 20 and still doesn't enjoy reading for pleasure( she does have a goal of reading 3 books this summer). My 2 best friends are the same way, they simply have no interest in books. To each his own.

I think you're either born with the that DNA that makes you an avid reader, or you're not. Some people love getting out and jogging for fun, others just simply cannot get into it. My children are avid readers, but I didn't introduce the art to them, it just naturally happened.

I'm sure there's something else that makes them happy the way books make us happy.

Because they make them into movies.
I read all the time and lately... I have found some pretty horrible duds among a heavily flooded market of literature. It seems harder to find a book that packs a good punch and leaves me dazed and thoroughly moved.

I agree, Nyree. People are allowing books made into movies to take the place of their imaginations. I'm guilty of that sometimes because although I'm an avid reader, I'm also a movie addict. Sometimes it seems I understand the plot more if I see the action rather than imagine it. And I'm a writer for heaven's sakes!

Maggie wrote: "Some people just don't like reading. My daughter is a perfect example of this. I'm an avid reader, I started reading to her as an infant, we read every night, on Saturday afternoons we would spend ..."
I was an avid, avid reader from grade three right to grade eight. Then high school happened and a whole ton of 'good' books are being shoved down your throat and you're writing reports on it and then comparative essay after comparative essay. It's VERY easy to forget that there's good books out there. I didn't pick up a book from grade nine until my second year out of college when I moved across the country and didn't know anyone. What better to do?

She will probably start reading again, if it's like me give her two more years. ;)

As far as the 'I don't read' people go, I'm a firm believer that they just haven't found the right book yet.

You make a good point, Megan, but I just believe that either you're an avid reader by nature or you're not. Even if they haven't found the right book, yet, a bookworm at heart will read something until it comes along. I read everything, even if it's litter on the ground, I'll bend over and read it. (that's so sad)

Some people are just inclined toward other things that make them happy.

to be fair though as much as I prefer paper books since my pal got her kindle and kobo she now reads more than me and before this she would never read sometimes I think people care frightened by books I can't see why tho myself I think you're either a reader or not and it's such a Shane for those who aren't

Megan, I have always thought the terrible books she had to read in school contributed to my daughter's love of books stopping.

Generally, reading is considered entertainment, although it is not always that. Different people prefer types of entertainment over others. I have never been a big fan of video games, but some people love it. Some prefer TV, movies, music, etc. Variety is the spice of life, or so I've heard.

Some people find it difficult to read for physical reasons. Dyslexia can be one of those reasons. People don't always like to admit to it or even know they have a physical challenge. They just know it's difficult to read.

A friend of mine worked at a deli restaurant with an overhead menu. A man came in and asked for a hamburger. My friend said they didn't have hamburgers, just what was on the menu. The man looked at the menu for a while and then asked for a cheeseburger. My friend didn't realize until later that the man couldn't read.

That was many years ago, but I never forgot it. I made sure I read to my children at every opportunity. Now, one daughter inhales books. The other doesn't, but she still reads when she can. I firmly believe if we had not encouraged her to read at a young age, she wouldn't be a reader today.

Hey guys!!! In my opinion, people got caught in so many things like TV shows, reality TV (that I personally hate!) and movies, thinking this can thrill them as much as a book! And the truth is that the feeling is incomplete - a book can give you much more intense experience that a mare movie or a show can. You can explore so many dimensions just by traveling in a written story.

The sad part of this is that most of the people who don't read think this an overrated habit! That really depress me!!! They go around thinking we readers waste our time - This is the case of my mother, for example. She's always telling me to do something else and every time she catches me in the couch, just enjoying my book, she gets upset because I'm doing "nothing". I have spent so many years trying to explain her that reading is actually a proactive activity, but I'm getting tired.

I wrote about why books are NOT overrated in my blog, in case you want to read my reasons, follow this link ---->

I was never really encouraged to read, but I'd go to the library once a month when I was younger and I don't really know how it started but from then on I liked books. My love for them just grew after that. I think you either are into it or not, though I'm sure some people are in the middle. I think it depends how much exposure you've had to books and their genres and to the reading world. As to why people don't read more, I get it but I don't either. Basically, as everyone else has said, social media and movies take up all that free time. Most of my friends go on facebook, instagram, etc. or play computer games. And to people who aren't in the know, it can be a bit lonely sometimes with reading if everyone you know doesn't read and does other things together. I generally don't read in public, unless it's in the library, because I feel self-conscious about it, even though I know I shouldn't. I do plenty of reading at home though, rest assured. It's just that my generation are all into social media and other stuff. It's good though now because there are ebooks and you can read on a range of devices so all those people who use their phone or computer a lot can read as well. I personally prefer physical books.

Trish, I agree with you. Reading takes your imagination and opens up a whole different experience from reality. For as long as I can remember, I've loved books (and writing). Being an avid lover of books is a gift. Either you're born with that or you're not. I didn't have to introduce the joy of it to my children; as soon as they could pick up a book, they were hooked. (which is a bonus, because my daughter proof-reads all my books before they're published; and I get her feed-back:)

I wish I could talk to your mother. It's a shame she doesn't encourage your love for reading. But you hang in there. There's nothing like opening up a book (or turning on a Kindle) and allowing yourself to be taken on exciting adventures.

MB, you hold your head up high. Never feel self-conscious in public about a good thing--READING! Be proud of your gift. And if you think about it, you're never alone when you read. All those characters who invite you into their world, the plots, the adventures...

Maybe you can find a book club that meets once a week that shares your joy and you won't feel so lonely.

And I'm with you. I love the physical book, but I've also had to grow to love Kindle. Why? Because all of my stories are published ebooks--go figure:)

Trish wrote: "Hey guys!!! In my opinion, people got caught in so many things like TV shows, reality TV (that I personally hate!) and movies, thinking this can thrill them as much as a book! And the truth is that..."

Trish, I'm sorry your mother doesn't encourage you to read. Reading anything (fiction, nonfiction, romance, literature, SF, biographies, etc.) not only opens your mind to new ideas, it improves your ability to learn. I firmly believe my grammar and spelling benefited greatly from reading. Writing does the same thing. Our daughter took advanced classes in high school that required a great deal of paper writing. She's also an avid reader. That helped her get into Vanderbilt University, which is not easy. One of her professors said that her writing was some of the best she has seen in a freshman.

I would never have been able to write the books I have without all the reading I've done over the years. Reading is not a waste of time.

Reading takes patience and in a world where everything is instantaneous, some people are so ingrained with that instant gratification that reading seems to be a chore. I'm a teacher and so disappointed to find many teachers simply don't read unless they have to for work. Consider yourself a marvel for being a lover of books. I know I do.

Reading takes patience and in a world where everything is instantaneous, some people are so ingrained with that instant gratification that reading seems to be a chore. I'm a teacher and so disappointed to find many teachers simply don't read unless they have to for work. Consider yourself a marvel for being a lover of books. I know I do.

It also just came to me that not everyone has the vivid imagination it takes to read, especially fiction.

Groovy wrote: "MB, you hold your head up high. Never feel self-conscious in public about a good thing--READING! Be proud of your gift. And if you think about it, you're never alone when you read. All those charac..."

Thanks :)

I think a lot of people associate reading with "chore" rather than "fun", and choose books accordingly. I read a lot of fiction, a significant proportion of it Sci-Fi/Fantasy and I'm constantly bombarded by well-wishers and family asking me why I won't read something "more useful" or why I read "kid's stories." The latter, by the way, is used to refer to every book that is not completely mired in reality, regardless of content or theme. If there be dragons, they be for kids.

All kinds of reading is useful!.