It was easy for me to pick up a book when I was younger because I wasn’t overwhelmed with the amount of things I could do instead. Now, there are many reasons why teens don’t read as much as they used to. Things like the rise in popularity of screens, the lack of time available to read, and the inability to find the “right” book are all factors that turn young adults away from reading.
Charlotte Weber describes in her article on the Scottish Book Trust website how teens don’t have a desire to read because they struggle to separate reading for pleasure from school work. Teens spend all day reading in school, so the last thing they want to do is leave school and read more. This is where screens come in, as they provide an activity that takes “less brain power” for teens than reading a young adult (YA) book would. Though I personally believe screens are oversaturated, I can hardly blame teens for wanting a break from things that don’t seem interesting to them. Because they spend so much time doing homework or extracurriculars, it’s hard to fit in time to read.
Weber also discusses how teens struggle to find the perfect book to read because they don’t have access to new titles at home or in their school library. Since there isn’t a wide selection of books available to them, the task of picking out the right book feels too difficult. This is why it’s important that we make books more accessible for teens: so they can benefit from reading time.
As an avid reader myself, I know that there are a lot of benefits to reading, but for someone who is struggling to find the perfect book, the entire process can seem daunting and insignificant. It’s important that young adults understand the many benefits of reading, because their knowledge of these advantages will help them hone their desire to read. There are both personal and professional benefits to reading that will help teens understand its importance.
On the Scottish Book Trust website, Weber describes the many personal benefits to reading, such as it being a form of entertainment as well as a way for young adults to connect with each other. Teens often feel like outsiders with a strong desire to be accepted, so their ability to connect with each other over a book will help them form strong social connections. Weber also describes how reading can promote an individual’s well-being as well as strengthen their vocabulary skills and help them succeed academically. While Weber describes this as a personal benefit, I also see it as a professional benefit because strengthening literacy and vocabulary will help these individuals feel more confident in their ability to navigate different situations in their life.
The lack of access when looking for a new title or the perfect book for the perfect time definitely turns people away from reading, so it’s important that accessibility is at the forefront of the decisions we make when encouraging teens to read.
There are so many different ways for people to read a story, including physical mediums like a paperback book, a digital book on an e-reader, and through audiobooks. All of these options create an opportunity for teens to develop a sense of autonomy, as Weber describes in her articles, because they are given the choice to pick something based on their own judgements and desires. Having all these options available will help teens feel more qualified to select the right book for themselves.
Teens are all reading for different reasons. I used to love reading for escapism (and honestly, I still do), but some young adults have different motivations when reading. The availability and accessibility of many titles allow for teens to find something that suits their wants and needs. So, if these books are available, how do we make them accessible?
Making books affordable would help them become more accessible. It’s truly devastating to walk into a bookstore with a full to-be-read (TBR) list in mind and not be able to purchase any of the books because of their price. Since books are often published as hardcovers first, the price is much higher, and the ability to purchase these books feels unrealistic. And don’t get me wrong, I love special editions of books, but when the only access to a book at your local bookstore is an expensive special edition, it’s easy to feel discouraged.
Publishers like HarperCollins have a campaign to release four summer-related paperbacks for $10-$15. These titles include Royal Summer by Kass Morgan, Sparks Fly by Hazel Henry, Calypso’s Odyssey by Anna Ellison, and The Vacation Shift by Lily Chu. These YA novels offer something for everyone, from a royal romance to a reverse Parent Trap-inspired vacation, while promising all the summer vibes. It’s important that young adults have options when choosing a book to read, and HarperCollins’ affordable paperbacks campaign is one way to widen access to reading.
I hope this blog helps people understand the importance of reading—especially for young people as they try to navigate an ever-changing world—and provides people with ways to make reading more accessible. Give your friends book recommendations and encourage them to pick up a story you think they’ll like!
Emersen Cooper, Pine Reads Review Co-Assistant Director, Lead Editor, and Website Manager