Why Fewer Americans Are Reading Books—and Why It Matters

By Manisha Sahu
America News World
December 13,2025

In an age dominated by screens, scrolling, and short-form content, a quiet but profound shift is taking place in how people consume information and engage with ideas. Reading for pleasure — once a defining habit of intellectual life — is steadily declining, and experts warn that the consequences could be far-reaching. The concern was recently highlighted by a famed author who reflected on how reading habits have changed over the last two decades and what that shift could mean for society’s intellectual future.

Researchers say attention spans have become increasingly fragmented over the past 20 years, largely due to digital overload. (Image: FreePik/Facebook–John Grisham)

Speaking in an interview with journalist Katty Kay, the author offered a stark assessment of modern media consumption. “Video games will not make you smarter. TV will not make you smarter. Music will not make you smarter. Reading books will make you smarter, and that stays with you forever,” he said. His words, while blunt, echo a growing body of research that links sustained reading to cognitive development, empathy, and long-term mental resilience.

Yet despite the well-documented benefits, fewer people are choosing books in their free time. “We’re all reading less,” the author admitted, adding that the implications are troubling. “What does it mean for me? I don’t know. Not good.”

The Decline of Reading Culture

Multiple surveys in the United States and other developed countries have shown a steady drop in recreational reading, particularly among younger generations. The rise of smartphones, streaming platforms, and social media has transformed how people spend their leisure hours. Instead of immersing themselves in novels, essays, or long-form journalism, many now consume information in fragmented bursts — tweets, reels, headlines, and memes.

This shift is not merely about preference; it reflects a deeper change in attention patterns. Reading a book requires sustained focus, imagination, and patience, skills that are increasingly challenged by the constant notifications and algorithm-driven content of digital platforms.

Educators and psychologists warn that this erosion of deep reading habits could have long-term effects on critical thinking and comprehension. Unlike passive forms of entertainment, reading forces the brain to actively process information, visualize scenarios, and connect ideas. Over time, this mental exercise strengthens neural pathways associated with memory, reasoning, and emotional intelligence.

Mental Fatigue and the Modern Brain

The decline in reading also intersects with growing concerns about mental fatigue. Recent research into the biology of mental exhaustion suggests that constant task-switching and information overload place heavy demands on the brain. Unlike reading, which allows for focused engagement, digital multitasking keeps the mind in a state of perpetual alertness, increasing stress and reducing cognitive efficiency.

Scientists studying mental fatigue have found that prolonged exposure to fast-paced digital content can impair decision-making and reduce motivation for cognitively demanding tasks. This creates a feedback loop: as people become more mentally tired, they are less likely to choose activities like reading that require sustained effort, opting instead for easier, more immediately rewarding forms of entertainment.

Ironically, this avoidance may worsen the problem. Reading has been shown to improve concentration over time, acting as a kind of mental training that counters the effects of distraction. By abandoning books, individuals may be depriving themselves of a powerful tool to restore and strengthen their cognitive endurance.

Why Reading Still Matters

The author’s assertion that reading “stays with you forever” reflects more than nostalgia. Studies have consistently shown that people who read regularly tend to have stronger vocabularies, better writing skills, and a deeper understanding of complex issues. Reading fiction, in particular, has been linked to increased empathy, as readers are required to inhabit the perspectives of characters from different backgrounds and experiences.

In democratic societies, these skills are essential. An informed citizenry depends on the ability to evaluate arguments, understand nuance, and resist misinformation. Long-form reading cultivates precisely these abilities, while surface-level consumption often prioritizes speed over accuracy and emotion over analysis.

For children and adolescents, the stakes are even higher. Early reading habits are strongly associated with academic success and lifelong learning. When young people grow up without exposure to books, they may struggle to develop the cognitive tools needed for higher education and complex problem-solving in the workforce.

Can the Trend Be Reversed?

Despite the grim outlook, some educators and literacy advocates remain cautiously optimistic. Book clubs, digital libraries, audiobooks, and reading challenges have emerged as ways to reintroduce reading into busy lives. Schools and parents also play a crucial role by modeling reading behavior and limiting excessive screen time.

Technology itself is not inherently the enemy. E-readers and online platforms can make books more accessible than ever before. The challenge lies in encouraging intentional, focused reading rather than passive consumption. Experts suggest starting small — even 15 to 20 minutes of daily reading can make a difference — and choosing material that genuinely interests the reader.

Public policy may also have a role to play. Increased funding for libraries, literacy programs, and independent bookstores can help keep reading visible and valued in communities. Media organizations, too, can contribute by investing in long-form journalism that rewards depth and context over sensationalism.

A Warning Worth Heeding

The author’s candid remarks serve as a warning rather than a condemnation. His admission that he does not fully know what the decline in reading means — only that it is “not good” — underscores the uncertainty of this cultural moment. As society hurtles forward technologically, it risks leaving behind one of its most powerful tools for understanding the world and ourselves.

Reading is not just about intelligence; it is about connection, reflection, and the ability to think beyond the immediate present. In a time of global challenges and rapid change, those qualities may be more necessary than ever. Whether society chooses to preserve them may depend on whether individuals can rediscover the quiet, transformative power of a book.