What it Takes to Be a Reader
How the internet has turned a habit into a style
Last year, I read twenty-three full books. I also read but did not complete several books for research, though I will not count those. Twenty-three was one short of my goal, but I will cut myself some slack. I finished my master’s degree and had a baby (my wife did most of the work), so there was only so much time for me to read. To me, the number doesn't matter beyond a way to track, nominally, how much I read each year. I try to ensure reading is a priority in my daily life despite it being lower on the list now. It is vital to not only my research but also to expand my understanding of the world, generally. Beyond that, I am entertained by the books I read, as shocking as that may be for some.
Regardless, if you are like me, enjoy reading, and are in the Millenial-Gen-Z generational boundary, then you have likely encountered, perhaps against your will, the worlds of Booktube and Booktok. These internet spaces have grown precipitously in recent years bringing with that growth backlash. They are internet spaces where people give recommendations, reviews, and lists of their favorite and least favorite books. I am not heavily invested in any of these communities, especially Booktok. However, I have seen my share of “best classics for beginners,” “best sci-fi/fantasy series,” and “these are the X books I read this year” videos. So, I feel the need to talk about a few trends I have seen, both good and bad.
The Good
For what it’s worth, I think there are many virtues to Booktok and Booktube. Getting people to read is very difficult, especially for people who have recently dealt with the gauntlet of high school English classes. I know, personally, I didn’t finish many of the books that were assigned throughout high school. Sparknotes was far too useful to waste my time actually reading. So, convincing more people to read, no matter what that may be, is likely a good thing (I will address why I say “likely” later on). Furthermore, these spaces often interconnect. Someone who likes fantasy may be drawn to another creator who talks about classics, romance, or philosophy by being in the Booktube ecosystem. Algorithms being what they are bring what most interests and enrages people to the forefront, so one is likely to encounter a broad range of genres so the algorithm can work its magic.
Beyond just what is being read, there are many, many, many videos about how to read more and better. Like Substack’s “How to Write a Newsletter” posts, “How to read more books” videos are everywhere. Now, there is a downside to this that I will get to, but on its face, this isn’t such a bad thing. Reading more books, in general, is a virtue. Using time to focus and engage with writing in general is a good thing. With the oversaturation of such videos, there are even many “how to read more effectively” types of videos. The combination of all of this promotes the idea of being a reader. I think this promotion is largely a good thing in the world. The need to become a more well-read society is something I think almost everyone can agree on. However, there seems to be a flip side to each of these positives that should not be ignored.
The Bad
From my perspective, Booktok and Booktube do not actually create as many readers as assumed. The idea of being a “reader” has begun to supersede the actual act of reading. Buying books to fill shelves, having a list of books to read rising into the hundreds. I will admit that I am guilty of buying too many books. My research drives most of this, but I am constantly influenced into picking up a book I hear about often. I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing, either. As I said above, listening to recommendations from people that you trust about books to read can lead down a road of discovery. So, buying books and not having time to read them all is a reader problem. However, if you find yourself buying books to fit an aesthetic, but don’t read them, then you are an interior designer, not a reader. There is no shame in that, just be candid.
I mentioned that there is a downside to the “How to read more books” or “I read X books last month” videos. For the most part, I think these are harmless. Sharing tips that are helpful to others and sharing the books you like promotes the community aspect of reading. But, underneath some of these videos is the expectation that readers read fast and read a lot. I will be the first to admit that I am a slow reader and I don’t read as many books as I wish I could. But, there needs to be a balance to this. Videos about listening to audiobooks at double speed for peak efficiency or reading almost 200 books a year, while not the norm, are far too prevalent. They set unrealistic expectations about what it takes to consume books. The act of reading, engaging with words, is important, not the number of books that are read.
A tiny nitpick that I have also noticed, though not vital in my worry about these spaces is the discussion around reading versus listening to books1. Personally, I think audiobooks are a Godsend. Being able to do the dishes, drive to work, or work out while learning is great. But, I have also found that the ability to multi-task is just as much of a vice as it is a virtue. Reading words on a page requires much more focus and intention than listening to those words. Therefore, I think listening to audiobooks for entertainment or general knowledge is great. But, it leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to recalling facts or deep readings. So, listening to a book does not count as reading a book. One is not better than the other, they are just distinct. One doesn’t need to watch all movies critically; the same is true of books. But don’t pretend that watching a movie while sitting on your phone is the same. It is not.
The Bottom Line
I think, in total, the effect of increased readership outweighs the downside pretty heavily. But, like all online activities, the act of reading went to the extremes very quickly. It devolved into a style, rather than an actionable habit. Being a reader is a great goal. Claiming that title is also helpful to fully realizing it. I just hope that the idea of being a reader doesn’t transform into something that is no longer worth emulating. Great readers have made great thinkers, creators, and humans. Let’s try to keep it that way.
This often devolves into bringing up learning disabilities or blindness and accusations of “ableism.” My argument is not about those who require this manner of consuming books, but rather those who substitute reading with listening.