September 08, 2025
Engaging in reading for enjoyment is a crucial aspect of academic development, as highlighted by Victoria McGovern.
A recent study published in iScience has sparked considerable discussion in the media regarding our reading habits. One might wonder how many individuals found joy in reading those articles.
The research conducted by scholars from University College London and the University of Florida analyzed data from the American Time Use Survey, revealing a concerning trend: the number of people reading for pleasure has been declining at a rate of 3 percent annually over the past two decades. This decline is particularly alarming as disparities in reading time across various demographics, including race, education, and income, have widened.
For many graduate students, the journey into academia often begins with a passion for reading. However, the diminishing time allocated to leisure reading raises questions about its impact on the development of future scholars.
Scholarly reading faces its own set of challenges. The volume of literature continues to grow, albeit at varying rates across different disciplines. The advent of artificial intelligence has also introduced new complexities, as it is increasingly used to generate academic papers. This raises the question of how many of these publications are genuinely original. Additionally, students now receive information through diverse mediums—such as podcasts and videos—alongside traditional texts. How can one navigate this overwhelming influx of information while still finding time for enjoyable reading?
A Long-Term Perspective
As a student, it may feel like there is an endless list of tasks to complete. However, taking a step back to view the broader picture can be beneficial. Regardless of your field, graduate school fundamentally revolves around a few essential objectives: identifying gaps in your prior education, selecting a research question, devising a strategy to tackle that question, acquiring necessary knowledge, executing your research, publishing your findings, and laying the groundwork for your future career. While this may seem daunting, it is a sequential process where each step builds upon the last, enhancing the quality of your subsequent efforts.
Consider where you envision yourself in five, ten, or twenty years. What knowledge will you require? How will you balance broad knowledge with a deep focus on specific topics? If you aim to continue in academia, you will need to invest hundreds of hours in reading to achieve both breadth and depth. Conversely, if your career path leads you to service-oriented roles, gaining a broad understanding of your field and adjacent areas may be essential.
What is the timeline for your work? For those in scientific fields, it is crucial to recognize that the historical context of your discipline is continually evolving. The timeframe for citing past research is shrinking, meaning that cutting-edge studies may become outdated by the time you complete your degree. This underscores the importance of discerning whether the material you are reading represents a fleeting trend or a significant turning point in your field. It is natural to misjudge this occasionally; developing the ability to differentiate between transient fads and enduring concepts is part of the learning process. Classic works will always hold value, and revisiting them will enrich your understanding.
The Wisdom of Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx famously quipped, “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” For centuries, books have served as sources of pleasure, companionship, and a remedy for boredom. Our love for reading has not diminished; rather, we have simply filled our time with alternative activities. This shift may reflect a natural progression, as our brains adapt to quicker methods of consuming stories. Podcasts are convenient, and AI can distill complex subjects into concise summaries. However, this condensation often comes at a cost, and understanding what is lost requires dedicated reading.
Interestingly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a resurgence in book reading, with the publishing industry reporting significant sales increases. Perhaps those who turned to reading for pleasure rediscovered the comforting luxury of immersing themselves in another’s thoughts. Reading for enjoyment is not merely a pastime; it fosters creativity. It allows you to explore new worlds at a leisurely pace, enabling you to observe the intricacies of storytelling. Whether you consciously analyze the mechanics or not, engaging with quality literature enhances your writing skills. In virtually any career path, strong writing abilities are invaluable.
Moreover, reading enriches your mind with a wealth of knowledge—ideas, facts, characters, historical contexts, and diverse perspectives—creating a reservoir of information that can inspire your own thoughts. The more you read, the more connections your unique mind can forge, leading to unexpected insights. Your worldview will evolve, and your ideas will become more original, shaped less by classroom learning and more by your personal explorations.