If you’re reading this blog, then it is likely that you enjoy reading and/or writing in some capacity. However, maybe like me, you struggle to read for fun as you have gotten older. When I was in elementary and middle school, I have distinct memories of lying in my bunk bed and staying up late reading whatever I could get my hands on.
Yet, over Hope College’s three-week Christmas break I struggled to make it through one book that I did genuinely enjoy reading. We recently talked in my Literacy in the Content Area class about our struggle to read like we once did when we were younger.
Why the Decline in Reading?
Based on research in an article by DePaulia and The New York Times, there are a few reasons why one might read less with age.
- Our world focuses a lot on productivity and taking time to read is oftentimes purely for enjoyment. There are always tasks that I should be doing as a college student and sitting down to read feels inappropriate when there are still dozens of things on my to-do list. However, even during winter break when I did not have homework to do, it was still difficult to quiet my mind and focus on a book.
- In our current world, we are reading all the time. Whether it is text messages, emails, homework assignments, reports at work, or any number of things, we are constantly reading. Most of these readings are shorter and take less brain space, which means that we are not often engaging our cognitive skills. On the flip side, some homework assignments or lengthy reports for things like work can be challenging.
- The imaginations of younger children are more active. Books are a way to escape from reality, yet as we get older we are more likely to analyze the characters, writing style, or how realistic the story is. Meanwhile, a younger reader is more likely to get lost in the possibilities of a fantasy world.
Tips for Reading more Regularly
- Read a little bit every day
- Read things that sound interesting and read things from different genres, so books do not feel repetitive
- Use audiobooks to “read” while doing everyday tasks
- Join a book club for accountability partners and good conversation
- Get involved in a reading program like the Big Read Lakeshore!
- Quit reading a book if you do not find it enjoyable