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Most of us read all day - texts, emails, menus, utility bills, social media captions and news stories. But fewer people are reading for fun.

According to a 2022 report from the National Endowment for the Arts, 48.5% of US adults said they had read at least one book that year, down from 52.7% five years earlier, and 54.6% 10 years earlier. In the UK, a 2024 report found that half of UK adults do not regularly read for pleasure.

"The world is increasingly distracting," says Sam Helmick, president of the American Library Association. "It can be really difficult to get into a reading habit."

Are you in a reading rut? We asked experts how to get out of it.

What are the benefits of reading?

There are numerous benefits to a regular reading practice, experts say. It might even make you a better person.

Studies have found that reading fiction specifically can make people more empathetic, strengthen their social-cognitive abilities and increase psychological richness.

Craig Getting, co-host of the book podcast Overdue, says reading fiction helps him experiment with the perspectives of other people and groups. "It helps me have a more open-minded view of the world and be a little bit more grounded in how I meet new people or think about the people I interact with," Getting says.

Even if fiction isn't your cup of tea, regular reading has been shown to reduce stress levels and protect cognitive function in later life.

"I always say that [reading] is really good for helping you rest and slow down," says Morgan Menzies, a literary curator and social media influencer. Menzies says it's an effective way for her to unwind before bed. "Some nights I get a few pages in. Other times it's one or two pages and I'm out," she laughs.

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Why do people stop reading?

If reading for fun is so great, why do so many people fall out of the habit?

Distraction: Distraction is a big reason, says Getting's Overdue podcast co-host, Andrew Cunningham: "There's a lot of entertainment out there competing for your mind and your eyeballs - TV, social media, news, podcasts." Plus, while reading is all-absorbing, many of these other options are "a lot easier to do while you're doing something else", he says.

Helmick agrees about the lure of multitasking. "I know folks who read short articles or short blogposts while waiting in line at the grocery store or bingeing a TV show, so you're not fully engaged."

By contrast, reading books requires a degree of "intentional focus", Helmick says. A novel demands a greater commitment of time and energy than, say, a TikTok about someone's morning routine.

Changing circumstances: Menzies says people also tend to break their reading routine during times of change, such as graduating college, entering the workforce, starting a family or moving. "There are other things taking time from you, so maybe you can't center reading as much as you once did," she says.

Reading selection: Sometimes, people put pressure on themselves to read a certain kind of book. My own reading ruts have come when I try to force myself to read books I think will make me seem serious and intellectual, rather than what I actually enjoy (detective stories and gossipy memoirs).

"If you're excited to read great canonized fiction, then awesome," says Cunningham. "But if you're excited to read an enemies-to-lovers romance or a book where people ride dragons, that's what you should read."

How can you get back into a reading routine?

Figure out what you enjoy: Helmick recommends going to a library and checking out various kinds of books. "Read the first chapter, and see which one or two grab you," they say.

Don't force it: If you're not enjoying a volume, put it down and move on to the next. "I am a huge advocate for not finishing a book," says Menzies. "If you don't like a book, no one's judging you. You're not failing."

Keep it short and sweet: Cunningham suggests people start with shorter books. "Don't have Infinite Jest be the first book you pick up if you haven't read anything in a few years," he says. He suggests searching Goodreads, Barnes and Noble or the Booker Library's list of short books.

Short story collections can also be a good way to dip your toe back into reading, says Getting. "You get a full narrative experience out of 10 or 15 pages," he says.

Make it social: Experts recommend sharing books with friends, or joining a book club. Menzies attends an audiobook walking club where everyone walks together, listening to their own audiobooks. "Throughout our walk, we stop and chat about our books and what's exciting us," she says.

The medium doesn't matter: Don't get hung up on the format. Whether you read physical books, use an e-reader or listen to audiobooks, it's all valuable, experts say. "If that's what gets you reading, that's what gets you reading," says Getting.

Do it daily: Once you've found your favorite genres and reading method, carve out a little bit of time for it each day. "Read 10 minutes before bed for about 20 days," says Helmick. "By the end, you'll have created a habit."

Make it fun: Finally, make sure you're having a good time. "Reading is something that should bring you joy," says Menzies. "There's a lot you can gain from it."

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In a reading rut? How to get back into reading for fun

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In a world full of distractions, it can be difficult to form a habit that needs attention. Experts advise on getting out of the rut

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Calling book lovers and avid readers of all ages! Have you ever wondered what the benefits of reading are aside from leisure and education? From learning new words to maintaining your mental health, books can do it all! In case you needed a reminder of how important regular reading is for our wellbeing and literacy, here are the top 10 benefits of reading for all ages:
1. Reading Exercises the Brain
While reading, we have to remember different characters and settings that belong to a given story. Even if you enjoy reading a book in one sitting, you have to remember the details throughout the time you take to read the book. Therefore, reading is a workout for your brain that improves memory function.
2. Reading is a Form of (free) Entertainment
Did you know that most of the popular TV shows and movies are based on books? So why not indulge in the original form of entertainment by immersing yourself in reading. Most importantly, it's free with your Markham Public Library card.
3. Reading Improves Concentration and the Ability to Focus
We can all agree that reading cannot happen without focus and in order to fully understand the story, we have to concentrate on each page that we read. In a world where gadgets are only getting faster and shortening our attention span, we need to constantly practice concentration and focus. Reading is one of the few activities that requires your undivided attention, therefore, improving your ability to concentrate.
4. Reading Improves Literacy
Have you ever read a book where you came across an unfamiliar word? Books have the power to improve your vocabulary by introducing you to new words. The more you read, the more your vocabulary grows, along with your ability to effectively communicate. Additionally, reading improves writing skills by helping the reader understand and learn different writing styles.
5. Reading Improves Sleep
By creating a bedtime routine that includes reading, you can signal to your body that it is time to sleep. Now, more than ever, we rely on increased screen time to get through the day. Therefore, by setting your phone aside and picking up a book, you are telling your brain that it is time to quiet down. Moreover, since reading helps you de-stress, doing so right before bed helps calm your mind and anxiety and improve the quality of sleep.
6. Reading Increases General Knowledge
Books are always filled with fun and interesting facts. Whether you read fiction or non-fictions, books have the ability to provide us with information we would've otherwise not known. Reading a variety of topics can make you a more knowledgeable person, in turn improving your conversation skills.
7. Reading is Motivational
By reading books about protagonists who have overcome challenges, we are oftentimes encouraged to do the same. The right book can motivate you to never give up and stay positive, regardless of whether it's a romance novel or a self-help book.
8. Reading Reduces Stress
Reading has the power to transport you to another world and away from the monotonous daily routine. By doing so, reading can decrease stress, lower heart rate and reduce blood pressure.
9. Reading Sets a Positive Example
Reading is a key component of early literacy development and you can set an example of just how crucial this is by modeling the behaviour yourself. Children are excellent at mimicking the adults around them which means that if you regularly set aside some "me time" for reading, your children will learn to do the same.
10. Reading Teaches Empathy
Books allow us to experience realities outside of our lives. They teach us to relate to others by often putting us in the shoes of the narrator. This simple technique is called empathy. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Reading builds on empathy by constantly presenting us with thoughts and scenarios outside of our perspective.

Books that Celebrate the Benefits of Readings

List created by mradzevich

Readings adds endless benefits to our daily lives, including stress-relief and entertainment. Learn about the benefits of reading with these book suggestions.

Children's Books that Celebrate Reading

List created by mradzevich

A collection of books that are sure to foster a love for reading in your children. From stories about learning to read to stories about first library visits, these books are a wonderful place to start.

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Calling book lovers and avid readers of all ages! Have you ever wondered what the benefits of reading are aside from leisure and education?...

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In order to receive the best web experience with our website, please use Microsoft Edge or another browser other than Internet Explorer.

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid was first published in 2007 and introduced readers around the globe to Greg Heffley, his family, his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, and the dreaded CHEESE TOUCH!

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In order to receive the best web experience with our website, please use Microsoft Edge or another browser other than Internet Explorer. We use website cheesiest cookies to ensure you enjoy our site. Accept! Diary of a Wimpy Kid was first published in 2007 and introduced readers around the globe to Greg Heffley, his family, his best friend, Rowley Jefferson, and the dreaded CHEESE TOUCH!

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Australia plans to implement age limit to ban children from social media ... 

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Utah Bans Under 18s from Using Social Media

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Utah Bans Under 18s from Using Social Media

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The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, has signed sweeping social media legislation requiring explicit parental permissions for anyone under 18 to use platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. He also signed a bill prohibiting social media companies from employing techniques that could cause minors to develop an "addiction" to the platforms.

The former is the first state law in the US prohibiting social media services from allowing access to minors without parental consent. The state's Republican-controlled legislature passed both bills earlier this month, despite opposition from civil liberties groups.

"We're no longer willing to let social media companies continue to harm the mental health of our youth," Cox, a Republican, said in a message on Twitter.

The impact of social media on children has become a topic of growing debate among lawmakers at the state and federal levels. On the same day Cox signed the bills in Utah, TikTok's CEO testified before Congress to address concerns about national security, data privacy and teen users' mental health.

The new law prohibiting minors from accessing social media without their parents' consent would also allow parents or guardians to access all of their children's posts. The platforms will be required to block users younger than 18 from accessing accounts between 10.30pm and 6.30am unless parents modify the settings.

The laws also prohibit social media companies from advertising to minors, collecting information about them or targeting content to them.

What's not clear from the Utah laws and others is how the states plan to enforce the new regulations. Companies are already prohibited from collecting data on children younger than 13 without parental consent under the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. For this reason, social media companies already ban kids under 13 from signing up to their platforms - but children can easily get around it, both with and without their parents' permission.

Civil liberties groups have raised concerns that such provisions will block marginalized youth including LGBTQ+ teens from accessing online support networks and information.

Tech groups have also opposed the laws. "Utah will soon require online services to collect sensitive information about teens and families, not only to verify ages, but to verify parental relationships, like government-issued IDs and birth certificates, putting their private data at risk of breach," said Nicole Saad Bembridge, an associate director at NetChoice, a tech lobby group. "These laws also infringe on Utahans' first amendment rights to share and access speech online - an effort already rejected by the supreme court in 1997."

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The law will take effect next March. Michael McKell, the Republican state senator who sponsored the bill, told the New York Times that social media is "a contributing factor" to poor teen mental health, and that the laws were intended to address that issue.

Several states have sought to enact guardrails for young social media users. Lawmakers in Connecticut and Ohio have put forward measures to require parental permissions for users younger than 16. Lawmakers in Arkansas and Texas have also introduced bills to restrict social media use among minors under 18, with the latter aiming to ban social media accounts for minors entirely.

California enacted a measure requiring social media networks to enact the highest privacy settings for users younger than 18 as a default.

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Utah bans under-18s from using social media unless parents consent

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The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, has signed sweeping social media legislation requiring explicit parental permissions for anyone under 18 to use platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.