As a dedicated member of the universal, yet unspoken, book club (in other words, a reader and book enthusiast), my TikTok feed is naturally dominated by book-related content. Thanks, #booktok
Although my own TikTok niche centers around the Outlander book series (@outlanderbooktok), I enthusiastically follow and interact with content from a wide array of booktok accounts, exploring all genres of literature.
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This lit-tailored engagement led me to discover a stitch from a video in which the creator expressed absolute confusion over the enthusiasm for reading to the extent of investing in a Kindle.
They questioned, “I will never understand how people enjoy reading so much that they actually pay money for something like a Kindle. People who like to read – first of all is that real? Do you really like to read? What about it is enjoyable?”
Look, no hate to this creator for asking such questions– she admitted it’s jealousy. However, as others have noted, if you’re willing to invest in cable or streaming services for television and movies, how is that any different from spending money to enjoy reading?
Despite their assertion, I’m inclined to believe the video was more about provoking a reaction (hello, rage bait) than a serious query, especially considering the passionate reading community known to be dominating on the app.
Why People Love to Read
Prompted by the curiosity and, admittedly, the slight controversy stirred by the TikTok video, it’s worth diving into the heart of why reading is such a loved hobby (activity, past-time?) for so many.
Reading is not just a hobby; it’s a gateway to worlds both known and unknown, a bridge connecting us to experiences, emotions, and ideas far beyond our immediate imagination. Here’s a look at why the love for reading continues to grow, even in an era dominated by doom scrolling. We’re all guilty of it…
Escapism
Isn’t it just the best feeling when you can sit back, forget about the chaos of everyday life, and dive into another world? Books are like personal portals to literally anywhere.
📚 ‘We read to know we’re not alone.’ – William Nicholson, Shadowlands
📚 “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” – Mason Cooley
📚 “I love the way that each book—any book—is its own journey. You open it, and off you go…” – Sharon Creech
Knowledge and Learning
Books are unparalleled sources of knowledge, offering insights into virtually any field imaginable. They’re packed with info on everything under the sun (or even beyond it). Yeah, books have got you covered.
📚 “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglass
📚 ‘The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.’ – Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!
Empathy and Emotional Connection
There’s something magical about reading that lets you live a thousand lives, understand perspectives worlds apart from your own, and connect with characters who start to feel like old friends. Books are empathy machines, turning the abstract into the deeply personal.
📚 ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.’ – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
📚 “We lose ourselves in books. We find ourselves there too.” – Anonymous
Mental Stimulation and Cognitive Benefits
Just like going for a run keeps your body fit, diving into a good book gives your brain a workout. Enhancing memory, sharpening focus, and even boosting your analytical thinking skills – it’s like a gym session for your mind, minus the sweat.
📚 ‘Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.’ – Joseph Addison
📚 “The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” – René Descartes
Community and Belonging
Ever found yourself deeply engrossed in conversation with strangers online about new theories and plot twists in the latest book release? #Booktok and book clubs have become our havens, places where we connect with our kindred spirits, share recommendations, exchange stories, and bask in the collective delight that only a great book can truly evoke.
📚 ‘A book is a dream that you hold in your hands.’ – Neil Gaiman
📚 “There are no faster or firmer friendships than those formed between people who love the same books.” – Irving Stone
The Joy of Collecting
For some, the appeal lies in the tangible aspect of books—there’s nothing quite like the smell of a new book, the satisfaction of adding another story to your collection, or the aesthetic of a shelf brimming with stories.
📚 “Books are not made for furniture, but there is nothing else that so beautifully furnishes a house.” – Henry Ward Beecher
📚 “To build up a library is to create a life. It’s never just a random collection of books.” – Carlos María Domínguez
📚 ‘I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.’ – Jorge Luis Borges
So, to the creator who wondered why people love to read—here’s your answer, in all its multifaceted glory.
