“From 2003 to 2023, the share of Americans who read for pleasure fell 40 percent, a sharp decline that is part of a continuing downward trend.”

Gift Article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/well/reading-pleasure-decline-study.html?unlocked_article_code=1.f08.XJt4.OS0gfQAX-Z18&smid=url-share

This really saddens me. I know personally (and I’m in the minority here), I would much rather read a great book than play video games. And, it’s not from trying, I have a PS5, Gameboys, and Switches, and I just don’t play them very much at all. When I’m reading a good book, I think about it when I’m not reading and look forward to getting back to it.

To each their own, but I fear that we are not promoting reading and showing children the joys of it. My wife was a grade school librarian for 12+ years and read to students every day, opening up whole new worlds for them. Sadly, librarians seem to be a thing of the past. It is our loss.