To not enjoy reading?

[Canteverdecide]

I would never admit this in real life but the truth is I don’t enjoy reading. I’ve read plenty of books in my life (mainly pre kids and pre social media when I had more time), some I have loved, some not so much, some I have abandoned after a few pages. But I have never felt like I was a proper reader, I have always felt it was something I should have done as opposed to something I truly wanted to do. I feel bad saying this but I almost don’t see the point if not for some entwrtainment when the book is good. Is there hope for me? How can I become a reader and why should I do that?

Like what you like, OP. You don't have to enjoy reading, it's not a rule.

I don't like going to gigs or clubs; other people think it's wonderful. That's OK. My brother thinks live sport is dreary. DS1 hates live music and would rather hear an album.

I think you've answered your own question there - read for entertainment when the book is good !

I don’t see why you should do something you don’t enjoy because you feel you ought to. Reading is my favourite pastime, I finished my fifth book since Christmas Day yesterday because it gives me great pleasure (although I have got to an age where I sometimes decide not to finish books because I am not enjoying them) but if you told me I had to spend the same amount of time watching tv or some other passtime that bores me I would say no. Being a reader is not something special, just a leisure time choice,

I am an author and probably people will disagree but I don’t think anyone has to be a reader to be getting everything out of life- look at all the crafts out there, and then there’s walks and spending time with pets, reading magazines, watching tv, doing crosswords or puzzles!

I will advise that if you do really want to read don’t feel hemmed in by the front tables/ charts in bookshops snd newspapers- if eg you go on Amazon or kobo or walk deep into a book shop there’s different types of crime books, cosy reads, romances, romantic comedies, witchy cozies, paranormal cosies etc. People look at what others say they like to read - the highbrow books, and so think it’s not for them. I love thrillers eg Lisa Jewell, Andrea Mara, Kathryn Croft, cosy crime such as T A Williams, witchy cozies like Andris bear, rom com like Anita Faulkner or Jaimie Admans, mum lit like Fiona Gibson, and I also read books like Little Women, Black beauty and Wuthering heights. Best of luck whichever way you go op x ,

I feel that being a reader is also associate to a lot of additional benefits though: being smart, becoming more articulate/better vocabulary, understanding more about the world etc so these are all great things that watching a movie or listening to music cannot do for you, it is a more “intellectual” type of activity and I would like to be part of that world, iykwim

I almost don’t see the point if not for some entwrtainment when the book is good

Im wondering why youve been reading books you dont enjoy! Speaking as a prolific reader, the whole point is to enjoy the book you're reading (if you're reading for pleasure, rather than work).

If you're not enjoying it, stop. Find another book and try again another time.

maybe you’d prefer a comic or an audio book.

I have only read a handful of chapter books in all my 40+ years and I do feel ashamed to be honest. I have occasionally stumbled upon some amazing novels and wonder why I don’t read more often but then I will try and find another book to move onto and nothing comes close so I often lose interest.

You need to find books that you're going to enjoy. I'm a massive reader but can't read a book if I'm not enjoying it. What books do you enjoy?

You say in the OP that you’ve loved some books you’ve read. That’s a reader. Read more like those books. I no longer give books more than100 pages tops before I abandon them if I don’t like them and I’m a retired English teacher.

YANBU but if you would like to enjoy reading, as PP have said, you need to find books that suit you. Often, you'll like a book with a plot/subject matter that's similar to a film or TV show you've liked. Plenty of booksellers will be happy to recommend something to you.

It's not a mandatory hobby, though. If it's not for you, don't put pressure on yourself.

I admire readers who can enjoy a big variety of genres and authors, I don’t think I can be like that, have only actually liked a handful of books in my life despite having read many more overall

It's not compulsory. I find I read a lot more non fiction these days. If you can figure out why you like the books you do it might make it easier to find more stuff you enjoy.

But here's a question: why do you feel that you should be a reader? Are you surrounded by other readers? Is it some sort of status, some sort of I'm a grown up checklist?

What sort of television series and films do you enjoy, @Canteverdecide ?

For each genre there are a massive number of writers and styles. Starting with the kind of stories you enjoy in other media would be a logical first step.

I love lots of stuff but stories about very macho environments or gruesome violence against women really put me off. I avoid the big blokey names and novels about serial killers. It sounds obvious! But for a long while I tried authors I thought I ‘ought’ to read and lots of them were macho make storytellers.

It was kind of liberating to realise I had no one to impress and could please myself.

I will definitely try to start off by sticking with 1-2 genres I usually enjoy.
I just know it’s supposed to be good for you and would like it to become a habit, I also love houses full of books, sounds silly I know

I like dystopian novels like the Handmaid’s Tale and Agatha Christie, in case you have any recommendations!

Have you tried audiobooks? Sometimes, if you get 'stuck' after a few pages/chapters, it's easier to have it read to you.
I started using audiobooks while having radiotherapy when holding a book was uncomfortable. Now, I love them, although I still love holding and smelling a book.

@CouldItBeAnyMoreObvious no I haven’t actually. Does listening to audiobooks have the same benefits you get from reading a real book (in terms of the way your mind is stimulated, vocabulary etc?). Definitely worth trying them for commuting though, I usually listen to podcasts

The downside of course, is that you don't use your 'internal voice' for various characters, you rely on the narrator. Having said that, mostly they have been excellent and it haven't stopped me visualising characters.
It's also slower (generally) than reading, but you can speed it up!
Good luck!

Why don't you try some 'popcorn' books like The Housemaid or A Court of Thorns and Roses? They aren't challenging reads and can help get you into reading.

The Girl with All The Gifts would be a good fit, I think.

Audiobooks are great!

When we’re young it’s important that actual reading happens so we learn spelling, grammar, sentence structure etc by absorbing it unconsciously while we enjoy stories. But once we’ve benefitted from that, don’t let people tell you audiobooks are lesser.

It's fine not to enjoy reading. I read loads - it's my absolute favourite thing to do; I read 70+ books a year and I have a book reviews blog. But it's no more worthy than any other hobby. It doesn't make a better person than I would be if I didn't read. Nobody should have to ask 'AIBU for not enjoying reading?' any more than I would ask 'AIBU for not enjoying knitting?'

It's a hobby. It's entertainment. If you don't enjoy it, don't do it! It's totally fine.

I don't see the point in forcing yourself to do something you don't enjoy. I'm not sure it will make you a smarter person unless you have a varied reading diet anyway. You express a fondness for dystopian fiction, reading too much of that could have the reverse effect!

Why not try podcasts or Radio 4 instead as a way of absorbing ideas and information.