Do kids read books anymore?

Yes, that is a question I've asked myself many times this week. Reading is one of my favourite pastimes. It can transport you into new worlds and introduce you to colourful characters who might just change the way you think. Reading books is one of life's finest pleasures, and I don't understand why it seems to be dying.



I am surrounded by fellow teenagers five days a week. I hear their conversations, and I observe my generation in their natural habitat on a daily basis. This past week, I was shocked to hear that a large number of my peers don't read novels on a regular basis. So I investigated further, and asked some more of my friends. A large number said that they hadn't read a book that wasn't a school assignment since they were in primary school. Some even said they'd never read a book cover to cover unless it was for school. After hearing this, I expressed my concern to my friends in a calm and mature manner, with the exception of Finlay and Alfie, which went as depicted below (sorry). 

(via)

I go to a school which is known for achieving good results, so that's why I was so surprised to hear that a lot of these bright kids don't read books. I'm not gender stereotyping here, but purely based on the results I received in my informal survey, it was more the boys than the girls who claimed they didn't like books. We live in a digital age. Video games, tv shows and movies are available to us at the click of a button thanks to the internet, so sitting down and taking the time to read a novel is becoming an outdated concept to us. I'm guilty of it too. I live and work on the blogosphere, so I know what it's like to get immersed in the digital world. In fact it was one of my New Years Resolutions to make more time for reading, because I felt I didn't do it enough. But with so many amazing books out there, it's such a shame that teenagers don't seem to enjoy reading. Even taking out ten minutes of your daily video games/TV time/sleep/etc to read a few pages will benefit you, and bring you great joy.



Whether you've never really got into reading or you're in a bit of a rut, below are some of my favourite books from over the past few years that you might want to look at. These vary from childhood favourites to crappy (yet brilliant) teen fiction and an increasing amount of more thought--provoking novels. I have a never-ending list of books I want to read too, so hopefully I can expand my list of favourites soon. I'm trying to think of a way to encourage my peers to read, but currently I'm struggling. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

A Gathering Light - Jennifer Donnelly
The Curious incident of the dog in the nighttime - Mark Haddon
Divergent trilogy - Veronica Roth
The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
Severed heads, Broken hearts - Robyn Schneider
The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides
Once - Morris Gleitzman
The Silver Brumby - Elyne Mitchell
Why We Broke Up - Daniel Handler

The printed word is one of life's greatest gifts and we can't let it die out. Just read. Please. You'll thank yourself later.

-Lexi xo

16 comments

  1. this is such a cute post and thanks for the books recommendations!! i also have been slacking on reading books because i don't have as much time as i used too :\\ hopefully this will change soon

    badsass.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Madison! I know me too, trying to make time for it though xo

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  2. It's such a shame that kids don't read many books anymore, I've always loved reading but being in third year of uni means I don't have time anymore!

    The Velvet Black | UK Style & Beauty Blog

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    1. I know it is! Aw yeah I bet you've got your hands full.

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  3. I never have time to read any more which sucks. I also never know what to read to I'll check out some of the books you've recommended! The last book I read was a non-fiction book surprisingly called "The Psychopath test." It was a really awesome book and I'd recommend it! I'm also trying to get my friends to read, although I did get them all to read tfios! xo

    www.lexiealexandra.com

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    1. Please do! Ah thanks I'll check it out. That's something! Love tfios <3

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  4. I'm always shocked when I hear people my age say that they don't like books because it's such a general statement. I'm trying as hard as I can to avoid sounding snobby saying this, but there's literally millions of completely different books in the world, and you're telling me you don't like any of them? aghh. thank you for the recommendations. i loved the curious incident of the dog in the night-time and the virgin suicides, and if you're looking for something with a similar feel, then check out "Where'd you go Bernadette" from a writer on the TV show Arrested Development.

    // kani

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    1. omg yes completely. There are so many different types of books and you can't just assume you don't like all of them. Oh perfect thank you I will give it a read! x

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  5. Reading is defo the best thing to do! I highly recommend the Maze Runner series - AMAZING!

    Becca x

    beccaemilyx.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Agreed. Ohh I've actually never read it! Thanks for the recommendation x

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  6. Reading more was one of the things I had planned to do more of this year, and this post has totally reinforced that idea. I just finished reading Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, which is honestly such an amazing book which I highly recommend because there's a lot of informative stuff in her book in regards to racism, but it's not a heavy book and has that cute love story element to it, plus Chimamanda is such an amazing author/person. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov is another one of my faves and How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran was super good too! I've been dying to read The Virgin Suicides, which is what I think I'll read next! x

    http://vogueescapade.blogspot.ie/

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    1. Thank you for all the wonderful recommendations! Glad you liked the post x

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  7. It breaks my heart when people are so close minded about reading - I know so many people who've never really read anything outside of school, which I don't understand at all! Even kindles I'm not too keen on - they're great if they get people reading when they otherwise wouldn't, but I'm such a sucker for an actual, physical book. I can't wait to check out some of your recommendations, thank you! xx

    thisisfrom-matilda.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I'm a massive fan of a physical copy of a book too. I can't stand reading on a kindle or ipad! No problem, thanks for the comment <3

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