By David Lavrinovich, Editor
As a self-described bookworm, it baffles me when people say that they hate reading. I typically continue the conversation by asking about what kinds of books they read and, the majority of the time, my suspicions are confirmed: they’re reading boring books. Classic literature, philosophy, politics, finance, and self-help books are just a few of the most common examples I hear from people who say they don’t like reading. Yet, there is so much more to reading as a hobby, beyond those genres. Of course, those books are important and no one should be discouraged from engaging with them, but the truth of the matter is that everyone benefits from introducing more fun, leisurely books into their literary diet.
The Reading Gap
Reading for pleasure is on the decline in the United States. In 2022, only 48.5 percent of adults reported having read at least one book in the past year.1 Just five years earlier, that number was 52.7 percent, and ten years ago it was 54.6 percent. And it’s not just adults, as 2023 saw the lowest share of 13-year-olds reading for fun than in any previous year. This pattern does not bode well for education and literacy in the United States.
Many factors are at play, but the one that is not talked about enough is that many people find reading boring or are reading books that don’t hold their interest. So much of the predominant culture can make reading feel like a chore. The world of books is more than the texts you had to slog through in class and reading can take on more forms than you think.
Audiobooks, Graphic Novels, and “Real Books”
Another contributor to people’s apprehension towards reading is the belief that engaging with audiobooks and graphic novels isn’t “actually reading.” This could not be further from the truth. Listening to audiobooks and reading graphic novels have their own place in literacy because of the unique strengths of their mediums.
Listening to audiobooks promotes language development just as much as visual reading. There’s a reason why many parents read bedtime stories to their children and audiobooks follow the same logic, as listening to an audiobook stimulates the same cognitive and emotional areas of the brain as traditional reading does.2 Your brain doesn’t care if audiobooks are “real books” or not because it still finds benefits from the act. Not to mention that the nature of audiobooks makes it easy to squeeze in reading while doing other activities. Your workout, morning commute, and cooking dinner can all be paired with audiobooks, making them a useful tool in trying to read more.
Graphic novels also have their advantages in promoting literacy. Readers can engage with more of these stories in a shorter period of time and have an easier time going back to reread. Plus, the art of graphic novels being paired with text encourages the development of larger vocabularies in readers.3 The same goes for related media like manga and comics. Not to mention, platforms like WEBTOON and Tapas have allowed readers to enjoy webcomics through a scrolling format, offering a great alternative to mindless social media consumption.
Audiobooks and graphic novels are not intended to replace traditional reading. Nonetheless, they help keep reading accessible and can supplement traditional reading. For their numerous benefits, the value of audiobooks and graphic novels should not be understated, especially if they help you or anyone else read more.
How to Find Fun Books (And Enjoy Them Too)
The best place to start the journey to find an interesting book is the library. Not only are the books free to loan, but librarians are excellent guides in pointing people to reading material that aligns with their interests. The public library, as well as Pellissippi State Community College’s library, has something for everyone and, in the rare chance they don’t, both libraries have interlibrary loans to acquire books from other libraries. Additionally, request and recommendation forms for books that the library should purchase are available for patrons to fill out. The benefits of libraries don’t stop at physical books; a library card unlocks a world of audiobooks and ebooks on free platforms like the Libby app.
Aside from libraries, there are plenty of other methods for finding a good book. The internet is chock-full of book reviewing websites, blogs, and influencers. Many of them even review books according to specific genres or niches, which helps if you already know a bit about what you like. If you don’t, there’s no need to worry, as there are dozens upon dozens of the best-written and most entertaining books that are crowned with literary awards. Finding titles with these awards will guarantee a good time, more often than not.
The last method to discover fun books is the simplest of all: browsing. Looking at cover art and reading the book description is the most organic way of finding an enjoyable read and it will always be most authentic to your interests. If a book catches your attention even slightly, it’s a sign that you should probably add it to your “to be read” list, or TBR. Consistently practicing this will help make it easier to find your next books and help you understand your personal taste so that every time you read, you know you’ll love it.
Now that you know how and where to find your next read, let’s set a couple of things straight. It is wonderful to find community with other readers, whether in a book club or on BookTok, but not if that elicits comparisons and discouragement. Reading is not a competition or a race. There is no faster way to take the joy out of reading than by treating it as such. Furthermore, if you are reading something of your own accord and you find yourself not enjoying it, you can stop reading. Whether you pause and come back or simply put it back on the shelf, there’s no shame in not finishing a book. Even avid bookworms do not finish books enough that the community created an acronym for it, DNF (Did Not Finish). You can always take as much time and as many fresh starts as you need to help make the hobby of reading a delightful experience.
Book Recommendations
There are so many books out there that any reader is bound to find something they enjoy. However, it would be remiss of me to discuss the subject of fun reading without referring you to some personal favorites. This is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list or required reading; rather, these books are meant to act as suggestions to cut through decision fatigue and help bring back the excitement of reading.
Stand-Alone Novels
- I Was Born For This by Alice Oseman
The paths of the lead singer of a famous boy band and a Muslim fangirl collide, leading to revelations about identity, fame, and fandom. (Highly recommended as an audiobook)
- The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green
This nonfiction collection of essays analyzes a variety of topics in science and history through the entertaining lens of a five-star rating system.
- A Banh Mi For Two by Trinity Nguyen
The story of a Vietnamese food blogger and a Vietnamese-American study abroad student, with mouth-watering food descriptions and dialogue that pulls on your heartstrings.
- Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwang
For fans of theatrics, this book explores the lavish lifestyle and complex dynamics between the ultra-wealthy of Singapore.
- Recursion by Blake Crouch
An NYPD detective and Alzheimer’s researching neuroscientist investigate widespread memory disorders, which they learn are a consequence of the invention of time travel.
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
A psychological thriller about a missing woman that keeps readers guessing as it shows how memory makes reality, and the relativity of truth.
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A historical drama that details the life of a Hollywood actress and the relationships she held throughout the rise and fall of her fame.
- Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
When a ritual goes wrong, a Latino teenager and the ghost he summoned must work together to set things right, growing closer in the process.
- Spellhacker by M. K. England
In a modern fantasy setting, a close-knit friend group uncovers a government conspiracy through their criminal heists.
Series
- Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
A futuristic, sci-fi retelling of China’s only female emperor with a compelling protagonist and plenty of epic fight scenes. This book is the first of a duology.
- Children of Blood and Bone by Toni Adeyemi.
A grand, West African fantasy about the quest to return magic to the people who are oppressed by a magic-hating kingdom. This is the first book of the trilogy, Legacy of OrÏsha.
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer
A sci-fi/fantasy retelling of the classic fairytale where Cinderella is a cyborg mechanic living in a kingdom ravaged by plague and on the brink of war. This is the first book of The Lunar Chronicles series.
Graphic Novels
- Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol
Following the complex friendship between a Russian-American teenager and a ghost, this half-coming-of-age, half-mystery is an absolute page-turner.
- Navigating With You by Jeremy Whitley
The adventure of two girls and their developing relationship as they track down a rare manga series from their childhood that neither of them finished reading.
- The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag
A beautifully illustrated mystery about a Mexican-American teenager haunted by a massive secret and her journey of opening up to her childhood friend, who recently returned to town.
Conclusion
Books are one of the greatest forms of art, and the stories they contain are for everyone. If you think that reading isn’t for you, then there’s a chance you just aren’t reading the right books. Exploring other genres or switching to audiobooks and graphic novels are great ways to make reading exciting. Reading is one of the most entertaining and fulfilling pastimes; you just have to learn how to enjoy it.
Sources
1 Iyengar, S. (2024, October 3). Federal Data on Reading for Pleasure: All Signs Show a Slump. National Endowment for the Arts. https://www.arts.gov/stories/blog/2024/federal-data-reading-pleasure-all-signs-show-slump
2 Walter, J. (2019, August 22). Audiobooks or Reading? To Our Brains, It Doesn’t Matter. Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/audiobooks-or-reading-to-our-brains-it-doesnt-matter-40184
3 Marshall, J. (2018, December 20). The Power of Comics. Www.literacyworldwide.org. https://www.literacyworldwide.org/blog/literacy-now/2018/12/20/the-power-of-comics
