An Interesting Story by Leon Perrault via Wikimedia Commons
If you Google “reluctant readers,” you’ll find quite a bit of material on very young and middle grade readers. These ideas are absolutely important; however, recently, I’ve been thinking about grown-up reluctant readers. About 25% of adults will actually go an entire year without reading a single book (craziness!), and most read 6 books or less per year.
Although it would be a whole other post to go into the intricacies of this (see here to start), in my humble opinion, reading enhances everyone’s life, not just the lives of the person who is reading. Readers become more well-informed, more sympathetic, and more well-rounded than non-readers. They develop better problem-solving skills from exposure to different ideas. They develop better communication skills. We could really go on for a while, but if you’re already here reading this book-related blog, you’re probably already on the same page. What I’m getting at is that the more we can nudge non-readers into reading, even if it’s just a smidge more than they’re reading now, the better our world will be. I’m always a fan of making the world a better place.
So how do we encourage others to read more and therefore improve our larger world?
- Do not (publicly) judge what others are reading; it doesn’t pay to be discouraging. It might horrify me a bit that my teenage cousin is reading some disgusting political propaganda book, but at least she’s reading something. I’m sure there are some five dollar words in there somewhere to build her vocabulary. It might be disconcerting to sit next to someone on the subway reading 50 Shades of Gray, but at least they’re getting back into the habit of reading books.
- Ask about books that they have read. If you can get someone talking about a book they read that they loved, it might remind them how much they miss reading.
- Recommend easy “transition” books (e.g. transitioning from not reading). The book that finally got my man back into reading was Hunger Games (he picked up my copy, of course, after seeing me wrapped up in it a few years ago). He spent a number of years after undergrad just reading accounting textbooks and movie scripts (he’s an accountant who used to work in the film industry), and he says that Hunger Games was just like a movie script. It hooked him, and he stayed up until 2am one night finishing it.
- Talk about books you love. Enthusiasm is infectious. My mom, my dad, my boyfriend, my best friend, my friend’s mom, and a coworker –among others – have all been talked into picking up The New Geography of Jobs after my enthusiastic description of the book’s awesomeness and its applicability to everyday life. When I first read Hunger Games, I was similarly excited – though I still haven’t talked my mom into it. She’s afraid it’s too violent (and she’s into Game of Thrones! Talk about violence!).
- Recognize people for reading. This may sound silly, but people need to be validated. A simple “That’s awesome you make time to read!” goes a long way.
How have you been successful in encouraging friends to read? What could we add to this list?
Novel Conclusions 
I would add: don’t be afraid to offer a bribe. Several friends of mine have offered to take their kids to the movie adaptation of a book with the stipulation that the book be read FIRST. If they want to see the movie, they have to read the book.
That’s hilarious — and also a great idea!
Reading out loud a sentence, a quote, or something interesting about the author often piques the interest. Great post–it’s not just kids who are reluctant to read, very true!
Reading out loud can definitely pique others’ interest.
How about recommending that you and the other person choose a book that you will both read and then discuss when you both finish? It’s less pressure than a full-on book club, but maintaining the benefits of shared reading to help a reader better enjoy and understand what s/he’s read.
Shared reading without the pressure of a book club can certainly encourage more reading — and more engagement with that reading.
What a great post! Never thought about the responsibility we have to encourage reading with adult friends. Reading and being read to influenced my life in so many ways. Thank you.
Our own enthusiasm is such a great way to spread the love of reading. Thanks for stopping by, Teresa!
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I have a list of things adults can do to encourage reluctant readers at http://maggie-lyons.blogspot.com/2013/01/guide-your-childs-reading-and-make-it.htm
Thanks for stopping by, Maggie!
Give books away, especially books you love. I love getting feedback (even negative feedback) on books I pass along.
This is such a great thing to do; books make great, thoughtful gifts, too.
Christi, you make some excellent points. I have a few more suggestions on my blog at http://maggie-lyons.blogspot.com/2013/01/guide-your-childs-reading-and-make-it.html
PAY THEM TO READ! My husband & I are part of an adult leadership organization where we get paid to read, listen & associate with & from other proven leaders. They suggest paying your kids to improve their mind (aka: read) and then have them give a written &/or oral report, depending on the age of the child. Hey, we’re all worth minimum wage from the neck down, it’s what we put in our mind that makes ALL the difference – so READ! 😀
That could definitely work! 🙂
One of the most profound moments of my life occurred when my 8 year old reader-reluctant stepson and I read our first book together. I’ll admit my method was maybe last resort, but here is the story–http://tkthorne.wordpress.com/category/the-gift/
Getting kids involved seems to be a way to hook some parents. When kids get excited about books and want to share them, how could a parent resist? Giving books as gifts, especially those signed by authors might work. Most people I know would at least read some of a book by an author they’ve met or know personally. I love this post. I’ve reblogged it on my blog and will let you know if I get any responses. http://www.darlenebeckjacobson.wordpress.com