For me, reading is magical, and has been a part of my life since I was five years old, when I first started to make sense of the squiggles in the old comic strip, “Annie”
In a previous post, I quoted Alberto Manguel, whose words are so apt, that I will include them again:
“At one magical instant in your early childhood, the page of a book—that string of confused, alien ciphers—shivered into meaning, and at that moment, whole universes opened. You became, irrevocably, a reader.”
Just as with everything in life, our early experiences shape our enduring attitudes. I grew up in a remote farming community in Northern Canada, where winters were 7 months long and, except for my family and classmates, social contacts were rare. Reading elevated me out of my sparse surroundings, gave me insights into the thinking of others, and taught me about life in the rest of the world.
Today, I continue to read voraciously (several books a month) but recently, I have begun questioning this life long habit. Why am I so attracted to reading? What is it giving me? Is it normal, or even healthy to spend so much time reading?
Bring on the studies
A recent PEW study, continued this line of questioning, and came up with some interesting results. Their answers, ranging from the “highly practical to the sublime”, gives some insight into what motivates people to read. I’ve chosen four which I hope can shed the most light on the question, why do people read?:
–26% of those who had read a book in the past 12 months said that what they enjoyed most was learning, gaining knowledge, and discovering information.
–15% cited the pleasures of escaping reality, becoming immersed in another world, and the enjoyment they got from using their imaginations.
–12% said they liked the entertainment value of reading, the drama of good stories, the suspense of watching a good plot unfold.
–12% said they enjoyed relaxing while reading and having quiet time.
A comment portion of the study netted additional phrases like:
“It’s a stress-free escape,”
“It’s a nice way to relax,”
“I read because it’s not work,”
“It draws me away from reality.”
Others said reading “takes you away, like a movie in your head.” and “I love being able to get outside myself.”
One respondent, reaching for a personal note, came up with this unique perspective:
“I am an English teacher, so I read to save my sanity from grading essays.”
In a blog devoted to inspiring people to read, Why to Read, outlined some typical reasons for reading:
–to develop verbal abilities
–to improve focus and concentration
–to improve your imaginations
–to improve your memory
–for entertainment
The inside story
Digging deeper, I explored other reasons. I found a reference to a book by Harold Bloom, in which he claims, “Books are a fast rack to creating yourself,” suggesting:
“… we should read slowly, with love, openness, and with our inner ear cocked. We should read to increase our wit and imagination, our sense of intimacy–in short, our entire consciousness–and also to heal our pain.”
“Until you become yourself,” he asks, “what benefit can you be to others?”
My brief research into readers’ motivation to read has led me to question the veracity of the Pew and other research results. My personal observations of the readers I know suggests that people don’t read primarily to get information or to improve their minds.
Rather, they read for entertainment—the drama, the suspense, the excitement of an unfolding plot. The unquestionable benefits of reading come as a by product. Yes, you have more time to think. Yes, you develop your memory. Yes, you develop better comprehension and insight, and yes, you become smarter and more mentally nimble.
But I don’t read for any of the sensible reasons. For me, reading is emotional, possibly addictive, and has morphed over the years. I started reading to escape reality, to become immersed in another world, and for the pleasure of losing myself in imagination. Today I read with my entire consciousness, “with my inner ear cocked”, as Harold Bloom suggests.
I read to decipher the inner workings of other people’s brains, to learn more about life, to fine tune my understanding of the human race in order to improve my writing.
But basically, just like a host of other readers, I read for the “page turning excitement”—and the sheer joy of it.
Fergus will return on Sunday, May 21
I’ve had chronic eyestrain since my early teens so I had to give up reading for the sheer joy of it. It was hard at first, but I trained myself to read a little and think a lot. I wouldn’t have chosen it, but it did have great rewards. It enabled me to figure out my philosophy of life while still in high school, got me a scholarship to Stanford, and let me graduate with a good background in physics and problem solving, which in turn meant I never had a problem finding interesting and challenging jobs. It could have been a lot worse!
I applaud you! Deciding your life course at a young age is a real bonus, especially when a scholarship enters the picture! People with a background in physics often have a plethora of job choices at their disposal. Most of us find physics intimidating!
I read for company. I too grew up in an isolated situation, with few contacts with the outside world. Reading was conversation, query, answer, speculation, justification, vindication, reflection, invection, and much more. The world is less lonely with a book at one’s side.
I know we have similar backgrounds, in terms of isolation, at least. You are right about reading—great description of it’s many applications!
Lovely post and dare I use the phrase, “we seem to be on the same page?” 😉 I read for the familiar comfort of it; the joy of entertainment or information–it doesn’t really matter to me. I just like the posture that a good book brings to my mind, that of relaxation, surrender and curiosity.
Ummm, “relaxation, surrender and curiosity”, great turn of phrase, Stephanie!
In my case, in all honesty, I must say that it is a habit and also something that I do for lack of anything else better to do. Like you, I started to read when I was very young, as unlike today’s children, we had little else to divert us. Almost all children that I knew, read something or the other all the time. As I grew up, travelling as a salesman books were what kept me sane till I returned to head quarters for other diversions. Such a habit picked up when very young, does not give up on you as you get older and as long as your eyesight does not let you down.
Eyesight is a concern, as we age. I haven’t bought an electronic reader (Kindle, etc.) yet, but I know I can’t hold off much longer. These items allow the reader to enlarge the print and make it easier to read. I’ll miss the pleasures of reading a print book!
I love to read. I cannot imagine my life without the privilege of reading any book I desire. I’m reading “The Zookeeper’s Wife” right now and had trouble putting it down yesterday. 🙂
“The Zookeeper’s Wife” will be a suggestion I’ll make for my book club. Virginia reviewed the film in her blog, Old Ain’t Dead, and highly recommended it. I wasn’t aware of the book, so thanks, DJan!
I recently read that ‘proper’ printed books are once again popular and that ‘old fashioned’ book shops are regaining customers, and not just when it rains.
Good observation, Big John! I believe people are not giving up on print books—so much enjoyment for the taking!
I began reading for the pleasure I derived from doing so which is still true. Most all the other reasons cited on the list apply at one time or another for me. My mood prescribes what type of reading material which can vary widely that I enjoy at any given time. Though I still read regular sized print, the readily available means to increase print size on computers, large size print books, audio books hold the promise I’ll be able to continue reading throughout the remaining years of my life — or at least as long as my senses allow me to perceive what I see or hear, and my brain understands and processes the content appropriately. I keep books on a Kindle app on my iPad Mini for time in waiting rooms, on planes, trips if wanted. I’ve found I much prefer regular books with print on paper which is mostly how I read now.
I’m with you about print books. For someone who has enthusiastically embraced many aspects of technology, I’m still a holdout when it comes to using a Kindle. I guess I’m reluctant to expose my eyes to yet another screen! It looks like you have an organized approach to your reading. Good on you for using your app and phone to take advantage of spare moments while travelling. It’s certainly more cumbersome to carry a book!
Very interesting discussion of reasons for reading. Frankly, it bolstered my faith in adult English readers. Usually, the survey or study that I see most often published about reading is the percentage of people who DON’T read. That generally depresses me. It’s huge. The last such study I remember seeing indicated that something over 50% of Americans had not read a book since they graduated from high school. And with today’s political situation, I can fully believe that! But like you, I am an inveterate reader, mostly of novels, but of the occasional nonfiction book that I hear about on public radio. Thanks for writing about reading!
And thank you to you, for your comment, Rin!
I agree and i sure would love that hammock in the photo!
If summer ever comes to our part of the world!
Like you and several of your commentators, I read for entertainment; but I feel it’s a bonus when I learn something as well. I recently read The Boys in the Boat, which took me into the world, technique and vocabulary of collegiate rowing and The Light Between Oceans which taught me about light houses and their keepers. I am uneasy when I don’t have two or three books waiting for me to read them.
I know what you mean about that uneasy feeling when you don’t have a few books on the go! We read The Boys in he Boat for Book Club, and the consensus was that is was a good read. The Light Between Oceans (what a great title!) sounds interesting. Thanks, Beulah!
I came across an article recently that said that Ron Rash is an excellent novelist. So I took out his novel Above The Waterfall from a library. I liked it, but it’s hardly a great book. Many plot lines came together far too easily.
Rash is talented, though. I like being exposed to talented people, via book-reading, movies, whatever.
Enjoy the weekend, Diane.
Sometimes novels disappoint, and writers don’t live up to their reputations. I’m writing about this for tomorrow’s blog—Margaret Atwood, of all people!
I cracked up when I saw the headline, Bring on the Studies. Because you have this rhythm with your posts. You are one of the most curious people I have the pleasure of knowing, and you appear to have “the need to communicate what you learn,” as my husband says about me. Maybe one day you’ll run across some studies that will help us understand that about ourselves!
But I agree with you. I read fiction to be entertained, and non-fiction to learn stuff – which is entertaining, too.
I shall soon retaliate with a blog post on Deep Work by Dr. Cal Newport.
Thanks for the good stuff always.
Look forward to learning about Deep Work! I can only imagine!
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