In Post-Literate America, Some Can't Imagine Life Without Reading

A columnist explores the decline of pleasure reading and the enduring love of books among some readers.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A columnist explores the decline of pleasure reading and book consumption in the United States, citing statistics that show only 38% of Americans read a book or short story in the previous year. However, the column also features emails from readers who express their lifelong passion for reading and the importance they place on instilling a love of reading in the next generation.

Why it matters

The decline in reading and book consumption has broader implications for society, as reading is seen as a critical skill that shapes cognitive development and engagement with the world. The column highlights how some readers remain committed to reading despite broader cultural shifts away from print media and traditional forms of literacy.

The details

The column cites a 2022 survey showing that the majority of Americans, 62%, did not read even one book in the previous year. This trend is described as readers becoming an "endangered species" similar to honeybees and red wolves. The column features emails from readers who describe their lifelong love of reading, including a retired librarian, a grandmother who reads with her grandchildren, and an English literature teacher. The column also includes perspectives from readers who admit to reading less frequently than in the past, including a journalist author and a reader who consumes news and magazines but struggles to finish books.

  • The column was published on January 27, 2026.
  • The 2022 survey showing only 38% of Americans read a book or short story in the previous year is referenced.

The players

Karen Cramer

A retired librarian and lifelong book and print lover.

Linda Egle

A reader who usually reads two to three books per week and has her grandchildren, ages 9 and 11, visit weekly to read books together.

Winona Howe

A reader who cannot imagine her life without books and ended up teaching literature.

Edith Reed

A reader who reads for varying lengths of time each day and was thrilled to learn to read the Burma Shave signs when she was growing up.

Julia Parra

A reader who emphasized the importance of reading to and with her son, who has now passed that love of reading on to his own daughter.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you for your column on reading and its many benefits! As a retired librarian and lifelong book and print lover I am one of those honeybees/red wolves.”

— Karen Cramer, Retired Librarian

“I usually read two or three books a week... My youngest grandkids, ages 9 and 11, also come over each week and always bring books to read.”

— Linda Egle

“I can't imagine my life without books. Probably not surprising that I ended up teaching lit.”

— Winona Howe

“Some days I read for just a few minutes and some days for hours. I keep a Kindle between the pillows on our bed, and always read before I go to sleep. When I was growing up I was thrilled when I learned to read the Burma Shave signs.”

— Edith Reed

“We emphasized the importance of reading to and with our son. Well, he grew up to be a voracious reader, and now has a new daughter, in whom he and his wife Molly are beginning to instill the love of reading. A full circle moment!”

— Julia Parra

The takeaway

This column highlights the enduring passion for reading among some Americans, even as broader cultural trends point to a decline in pleasure reading and book consumption. It underscores the importance of reading as a critical skill and the efforts of some to pass on a love of reading to the next generation, despite the challenges of a 'post-literate' society.