Most of us may have experienced a dislike for reading at some point in our lives. As students, we’ve stressed over assigned reading. Due to this collective stress, I noticed myself and many others in high school distancing ourselves from reading and seeking out different hobbies, such as painting, sports clubs, and knitting. 

But what if I said we could make reading fun again? 

Many would say no; they’d rather not have their noses in the pages of a book, but my goal by the end of this article is to not necessarily convince you to read but provide you with a different perspective on why reading is a fun hobby and meant for everyone. 

There are many reports over the literacy decline, like this one from the Smithsonian Magazine: “Reading for Pleasure Has Declined by a ‘Deeply Concerning’ 40 Percent Over the Past Two Decades.” In it, the author gives many benefits of reading, like an increase in logical reasoning, imagination, and emotional intelligence.

Personally, my life feels much better when I read a story that is not my own. 

As a child, I gravitated to books because of how deeply imaginative and creative I became when I stepped into a world that a book created. Whether I was running through magical forests with Jack and Annie from the kids book series Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne, or stepping into history through an American Girl doll book, I found myself deeply immersed in stories. But as I got older, like during high school, I joined sports teams, busily kept up with homework. I stepped away from reading. This distance is quite common, and it is okay; it does not make you any less of a reader. After graduating high school, I didn’t pick up a book for many years; instead, I spent most of my time as a full-time college student and working part-time. 

Fast forward to 2022 when I stumbled across a YouTube video by “Cari Can Read” called “My Favorite Fantasy Books for Autumn.” I was unsure of what compelled me to watch the video, but it was probably a mixture of boredom, curiosity, and the smallest excitement for stepping back into a fantasy book just like I did when I was a young child. There were two books that caught my attention: “Sorcery of Thorns” and “An Enchantment of Ravens” by Margaret Rogerson. I ran to Barnes and Noble and bought them. Ever since then, I haven’t stopped reading.  

Reading is meant for everyone, including you. If your curiosity has sparked, I would love to share some practical tips and reminders.  

Reading Reminders From a Certified Bookworm

Reading is for everyone. When reading, there are no rules. Reading is meant for you just as much as it is meant for me. From toddlers to the elderly, there is a book that exists for every age demographic. 

Books are subjective. What you enjoy reading may differ from what another person enjoys. This is a good thing! It just shows that we are all different and we have opinions of our own. 

Ratings are subjective. If you rate a book five stars (out of five), someone else may rate that book one star — or no stars at all. That is okay! It may not feel good to hear one of your favorite books is not loved by all, but it is loved by you and that is what matters. 

You do not need to be a fast reader. I often compared myself to other peers who also enjoyed reading. I believed if I didn’t read a lot of books a month, then I wasn’t a bookworm. But your reading pace is your own. As long as you read one book a month, you are still reading — you are still a reader. 

Read what you want to read. You do not need to read what everyone else is reading or whatever book is popular. Whether you read historical fiction, comic books, or romance, you should read whatever book interests you. In contrast, do not feel pressured to read something that does not interest you. 

Read when you want to read. I used to feel guilty when I entered a “book slump” season, meaning no matter what book I picked up, I couldn’t get into the book, or the book did not interest me. I will never forget my very first time feeling disinterested in multiple books at a time, and it quite honestly frightened me! I thought I would never read again, but it was simply just a moment in time and soon it passed, and I was able to jump back into reading like before. 

Now, as I mentioned before, the goal of this article is not to convince you to read, but it is to remind you that books are there for you and meant for you. I fully believe there is a book for every single person on this big and beautiful planet. I will end this article with a little challenge, and you can take it however and whenever it is most convenient for you. Take an hour or two to check out your local library or bookstore, and browse the shelves that pique your interest. Make it a fun outing, bring a fun drink, bring a friend or family member, take your camera out and take fun photos. The only thing I would recommend is to be mindful of anyone reading while you’re perusing around and who knows, maybe that could be you in the future! Happy reading!

This article was originally titled “Reading Just Got A Lot Cooler” in the September 2026 issue of Peer Magazine.