Why Reading Matters Even More in 2026

Bill Weger
4 days ago
3 min read

The new year is upon us, and we eagerly await anticipated 2026 book releases. Among them Vigil by Booker Prize winner George Saunders, The Things We Never Say by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout, and Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead, the final entry to the Pulitzer Prize winning author's celebrated Harlem trilogy.

While we crave these upcoming literary treasures and many others, an alarming trend casts a shadow over the promise of the new year.

Reading for pleasure, long a foundation of personal growth, education, and cultural connection, continues to decline sharply, according to a recent study by researchers from the University of Florida and University College London.

Published in September 2025, in the journal iScience, the study raises deep concerns and critical questions about our changing reading habits and the impact it will have on the nation's educational progress and on future generations.

The study looked closely at data from more than 236,000 Americans who participated in the American Time Use Survey between 2003 and 2023. The results showed that daily reading for pleasure in the United States has dropped by more than 40 percent over the last 20 years.

Jill Sonke, Ph.D., a co-author of the study, noted that it's "not just a small dip — it’s a sustained, steady decline" and is "significant and deeply concerning."

“While people with higher education levels and women are still more likely to read, even among these groups, we’re seeing shifts,” said Jessica Bone, Ph.D., senior research fellow in statistics and epidemiology at University College London. “And among those who do read, the time spent reading has increased slightly, which may suggest a polarization, where some people are reading more while many have stopped reading altogether.”

Research shows that the decline in daily reading for pleasure averages about 3 percent each year. This steady drop means fewer people are enjoying books, magazines, or other reading materials. This negative trend can potentially impact critical thinking skills and vocabulary development, which are especially important to youth in their formative years.

Racial groups, levels of education, and income rose over time, the data indicates. Blacks, individuals with lower incomes and those living in rural areas show the most significant drops in daily reading.

Rural communities often face limited access to libraries and bookstores. Lower-income families may prioritize other expenses like rent and food over buying books or digital reading devices. These disparities mean that the rewards of reading for fun are not reaching all parts of society the same, which could deepen educational and social divides.

A force behind the decline in reading is evolving technologies, fragmented media, and new forms of entertainment. Streaming services, expanding social media, and video games compete for the same leisure time that people might have spent reading. For many, these newer forms of technology and entertainment offer instant gratification and interactive experiences that can be more engaging than sitting down with a book.

Technology alters how people consume information and stories. Time spent watching videos or scrolling through feeds reduces daily hours and minutes focused on reading. This change affects not only enjoyment but also concentration and development of imagination skills.

Yet reading for pleasure still matters and remains a long trusted means for human growth and social well being. Reading stirs imagination, improves language skills, builds vocabulary and provides quiet time for reflection. Reading stories from different cultures and viewpoints also encourages acceptance and increased understanding.

And schools and communities that promote reading for pleasure often yield better academic outcomes and stronger social ties. For example, national or local initiatives that offer free books to children or sponsor reading clubs can help spark interest in reading. Public libraries remain critical to communities by offering access to books and safe spaces to read and learn.

To combat the decline in reading, it's important to create environments and opportunities that encourage reading for fun and educational development. Some practical ideas for improving access to reading include increasing access to books via mobile libraries and book donations, promoting reading clubs, encouraging reading time, expanding the number of community reading spaces and balancing reading time with screen time on social media by setting limits, while encouraging reading instead.

Reversing the steady decline in reading for pleasure will not be easy, but it's worth the struggle. Educators, parents, policymakers, and community leaders working together must promote the benefits of reading. Supporting public libraries, funding literacy programs, and advocating reading and academics can make a difference. This collective effort can lift up individuals and promote lifelong learning through the joy of reading.

Books & Bards, through our Read Street initiative, supports nonprofits that promote literacy and a love of reading.