You may have seen people who drool over books while others who can’t even stand the sight of them. For bookworms, reading is like breathing. They love it so much they can’t imagine their life without it. Non-readers are opposite in that they find it arduous and boring. They may try to get into books but they don’t enjoy it. Within a matter of seconds, they lose their concentration and move onto something else that feels more exciting.
Reading books is a very beneficial habit. It has a positive impact on your mental and emotional health, and plays a vital role in other aspects of your life. For many, it is liberating and self-empowering because of the knowledge they gain and apply in the real world. And for others, it sparks creativity and sharpens their writing skills.
Books Are Filled With Knowledge and New Ideas
For every reader, books serve a different purpose. For example, some people read for joy while others do it to self-educate themselves. School is where most of us are exposed to books in English class. Though not everyone grows to be fascinated by books, there are those who embrace them. In their free time, booklovers like to go to libraries or bookstores, picking anything that catches their attention. They are so passionate that they want to devour whole collections. Some even set goals to read a certain number of books before the end of the year for extra motivation.
Pleasure and escapism is one of the reasons bookworms prefer reading. More intentional and purposeful readers see books as a source of wisdom and vast knowledge. They like to delve into their favorite topics and learn from geniuses to expand their thinking. It helps them see the world with clarity or with curiosity questioning everything around them. Moreover, they put their knowledge to use in real life to improve their circumstances and become better people.
Books have lots to offer, from enhancing creativity and imagination to personal growth. It gives you something to think about, to broaden your understanding of the world and its people. Furthermore, they help you improve your vocabulary, and teach you how to become a better writer by observing different writing styles.
Finding Books Tedious and Time-Consuming
While some people are active readers and admire books, others are not as enthusiastic about them. Occasionally, they pick a title out of curiosity but find it hard to stay committed to reading it. Their lack of habit and poor reading skills affect their ability to comprehend text easily and read smoothly. They struggle to remain focused and often re-read paragraphs to understand the meaning. It becomes frustrating and irritating to enjoy a book when they read painfully slow.
There are other cases in which people don’t have time to read at all. It is because they are occupied with work or at-home responsibilities, or they are too stressed out to focus on reading. Not everyone has the same attention span, patience, and interest to read books. Some people feel books are a waste of time because they learn more from the world around them than from reading about it.
Adding on to that, non-readers may not have grown up seeing their parents read or who could have encouraged them to explore books. Due to lack of influence, they do not understand the importance of books and the positive impact reading has on them. Most of these lifelong habits and skills are planted at an early age which shapes their mindset and personality.
Reading Habit Can Be Developed At Any Age
Just because you were never a reader doesn’t mean you can’t ever be one. All it takes is finding a book that captivates your mind and makes you want to read more. At first you may find it mentally challenging to comprehend a piece of text because you are not used to it. You might read very slowly, making sense of what is going on in a story or what a book is trying to tell you. But with time and consistency, you improve your reading skills, read more books, and build vocabulary.
Sometimes you form a new habit because you have a new mindset. What you once thought about reading books is no longer what you think now. Practical life can teach you new things, but books can also enlighten you. Reading unlocks your inner potential by making you think differently and be yourself. You take wisdom and process it and implement it in your life for a change. When you read with a purpose and intention, you are more likely to hang onto your reading habit and strengthen it over time.
Being a Habitual or an Occasional Reader is a Personal Choice
Whether you like reading or not, no one can force you into reading. It’s okay to not enjoy books and not find them interesting. Not everyone has the same mindset and same hobbies. Some people can try to get into books but it’s just not for them. They prefer other activities over books and that’s a matter of personal choice. Different things excite different people, and doing what you like will go a long way.
As a book blogger, I like to encourage non-readers and occasional readers to read good books. I believe until you personally enjoy what you are doing, you won’t continue doing it for a long time. There needs to be a thought, a goal, and motivation behind reading books, or it can easily bore you.
I wasn’t always a reader, but I got into books because I read one book that I ended up liking a lot. After that, I tried to find books that were similar to it, or had a storyline that were mysterious and suspenseful. This led me to develop my taste in crime, mystery, and horror novels. Aside from that, I also try to read other genres in hopes of expanding my preferences. I believe one should try reading all types of books for exposure.
Personally, I learn a lot from reading books as a writer and that’s my main purpose. It has shaped my writing style, my thinking, and the way I deal with things in life. Books are truly empowering and refreshing. I can’t go on for too long without reading anything.
Citations
“Why people like to read.” Pew Research Center, https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2012/04/05/why-people-like-to-read/ 5 April 2012.
Edwards, Ray. “5 Reasons Why I Read So Many Books.” Full Focus, Accessed 23 November 2025, https://fullfocus.co/reasons-to-read/
Walburg, Ellie. “7 Reasons You Should Be Reading For Fun.” Cornerstone University, 25 June 2020, https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/7-reasons-you-should-be-reading-for-fun/
“Why Do Some People Hate Books?” Spreeder, 12 August 2013, https://www.spreeder.com/why-do-some-people-hate-books/
Lastriri, Lorea. “5 Differences Between a Good Reader and a Poor Reader?” Iris, 10 February 2022, https://irisreading.com/5-differences-between-a-good-reader-and-a-poor-reader-bonus-3-tips-to-become-a-better-reader/
“Want to Become a Voracious Reader? Stop Self-Judgement and Start Enjoying Growth!” Greatness Magnified, 27 April 2022, https://greatnessmagnified.com/want-to-become-a-voracious-reader-stop-self-judgement-and-start-enjoying-growth/?srsltid=AfmBOorltrI9Mw1kqU9AbC2mP1YKa8n82D_T0FxYRWrDnAaj_VUROaEk
Photo credit to Dwi Augus Prasetiyo
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