Though reading is a common pastime, studies indicate that only 32 percent of the U.S. population reads books for the pure enjoyment of doing so. However, getting into the habit of reading regularly can be highly beneficial, including in terms of social cognition abilities and overall empathy and understanding of others.
The amount of time spent reading doesn’t need to be extravagant, though, and can differ from person to person. Dallas resident Craig Borkenhagen said he reads his Bible and a devotional every morning, though the frequency of additional reading outside of his morning routine is not as consistent.
“Sometimes I’ll read for pleasure for 30 minutes a day or more, sometimes not at all,” he said. “At the moment, I’m closer to the 30-minutes-a-day side of the pendulum.”
People who read by choice and not because of requirements for school, work, etc. also have varying reasons for doing so. For Borkenhagen, reading is an opportunity to escape into a place that isn’t his norm.
“I enjoy the creative, imaginative aspect of reading—being transported to a different world and imagining myself in that world,” he said. “It’s especially great when that world hasn’t been made for me by a movie.”
Like Borkenhagen, Dallas-area resident Katie Kennedy Laing averages approximately 30 minutes per day of reading. She said she appreciates the opportunity to learn more and expand her horizons.
“I like reading fiction to converse with friends and see if I have different opinions than they do,” she said. “Similarly, I like historical fiction and/or nonfiction to learn more about the world.”
Anna Tobkin, who lives in the Kansas City area, said she enjoys becoming absorbed in stories, though she is almost exclusively an audiobook listener.
“Physical reading isn’t my jam, but I love a good audiobook,” she said. “I listen almost anytime I’m in the car, so primarily to and from work. My commute is about 25 minutes, so it’s a perfect time to get a good dent in each book.”
Tobkin said one reason she is such a fan of audiobooks is because they provide different worlds for her to imagine while she does something she considers monotonous, such as driving.
“I also enjoy hearing the delivery of the story by the voice actors,” she said. “It adds so much color beyond the words on pages.”
While Tobkin only started going through several books each year a couple of years ago, she said the hobby has allowed her to develop a deeper appreciation for storytelling as well as help her to relax.
“Listening to an audiobook after work is a good way for me to unwind,” she said.
For Borkenhagen, he said the most significant benefit he has experienced from reading is an increased understanding of the world and more exposure to certain aspects of it.
“Reading allows me to see ‘real’ problems or ideas through the authors’ eyes,” he said. “I like seeing what others have to say and the ways they do that through all of the various forms of writing.”
Individuals who consistently read also benefit in other ways, including improved brain health and strengthened problem-solving skills. Kennedy Laing said reading has helped expand her vocabulary and allowed her to have more in-depth conversations with people in her life.
“I think reading makes everyone more conversational,” she said. “When we read, we can have discussions about either real or fictional things that lead to more thoughtful conversations.”
Borkenhagen said he also recognizes the positive impacts reading has on a person’s intelligence.
“It’s almost imperceptible, like osmosis or something,” he said. “I feel like one big part of that is simply attention span. Being able to sit down and read words on a page instead of being on our phones doomscrolling through Instagram can only be good for us.”
Both fiction and nonfiction books can not only increase knowledge but can also help people develop or improve their cultural awareness.
“I definitely think reading makes people smarter and gives perspective of different worlds other than the ones they live in,” Tobkin said. “Reading about the struggles and events of others helps a reader understand more about their world.”
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Lena Medrano (right) recently celebrated her 10th birthday and even let her brother, Bors, have one of her treats