The Paradox of Reading: The Urge to Read in a World Full of Distractions

Each year I open up Goodreads or StoryGraph and I set a reading goal for myself-- my current goal is 26 books for 2024. But despite my reading goal I usually fall short a book or two. Sometimes a few...

In today's fast-paced world, the desire to sit down with a good book is often met with a myriad of challenges. Despite the urge to immerse ourselves in the pages of a novel or in the insights of a non-fiction work, many of us can find it increasingly difficult to engage in reading. But why is this the case? What can we do to overcome these hurdles?

The Urge to Read vs The Challenges We Face

The act of reading is a complex cognitive process that requires attention, comprehension, and memory. We've all grown up doing it from a young age-- I recall discovering Green Eggs And Ham-- and yet the process is no simple task. In a digital world where we can open up Tiktok and get lost in videos, or find funny and engaging tweets on X, reading can become an afterthought.

So, what can we do?

I'm not an expert. I struggle with this every day, but here's what I'm doing:

1. Read what you love. I often find friends or family who fell out of love with reading. They associate it with school. It's ok to read what you want. We must normalize this. Whether it's science fiction or graphic novels-- read what you love.

2. Create a Reading-Friendly Environment. It's important that we find a cozy spot to just relax and read, but also one that is ideal for us. I prefer pulling up a chair by a window. This takes me away from my desk, where all my devices are, and provides a nice natural light.

3. Make time. This tip is one I tend to use for everything in my life that I know I need, even if I don't necessarily want-- mainly exercise. If we continue to say we'll read when we find time, that doesn't guarantee we'll read soon. Carve out 20-30 minutes a day to start. Soon, when you become emotionally invested in a book, you'll naturally read for longer periods!

4. Surround yourself with other readers. This one isn't the easiest tip, but I do believe it can do wonders. When I really get into a book, I naturally enjoy talking about it. For one, it's a conversation starter but it also encourages me to read more. My partner and I read completely different books, but each night we ask ourselves "What's happening in your book?"

   1. Pro-tip: Check for a reading group at your local library. You can even find reading communities online. I love visiting r/52book. It's a community of readers who strive to read 52 books in a year, even if they don't meet that goal. It's an empowering community, and you'll find book recommendations as well.

The urge to read is natural, but in a world filled with distractions, it's a desire that can easily go unfulfilled. By understanding our own challenges in reading and taking proactive steps to address them, we can rediscover the joy of reading. So, next time you feel the pull of a book, embrace it. Pick up that book and let yourself be transported to another world, one page at a time.