Earlier in my career, I worked for an international book publisher. I started there, working on the creation of books that I would later see on the bookshelves at Borders (remember them?) and Barnes & Noble.
As my career continued, I transitioned from print books to online content and, subsequently, ebooks. I understand the convenience of ebooks, but I am definitely a traditionalist and prefer the tactile sensation of reading a physical book.
ABC News published a story where researchers have shown Americans spend less time reading for fun and more time on screens.
That got me thinking. My own reading habits align with the findings of this study. And I hate that.
As a child, it was a highlight to go to the library and check out an armful of books to take home and read. Even into my high school and college years, I would sit down with large novels (such as Stephen King’s The Stand or It) to get lost in the story and travel to faraway lands…even if they were just in Derry, Maine.
Lately, my only reading has been either for classwork or technical reference reading for professional and personal projects.
I don’t even remember the last time I read a book—for fun—cover-to-cover. I have a handful of books around my desk that I’ve started, but haven’t finished. At this point, I will probably have to restart all of them.
I think I’m going to have to work on my reading habit next year…definitely add that to my 2026 goals.
PHOTO CREDIT: McKAY’s used bookstore in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (by Harrison Keely via Wikimedia)
