The Decline of Leisure Reading: Why Books Are Being Ignored and Its Impact on Emerging Authors

The Decline of Leisure Reading: Why Books Are Being Ignored and Its Impact on Emerging Authors

by Brendan H. • Oct 25, 2024

Growing up, books were my happy place, especially fiction. They watered my imagination and allowed me to step into other worlds.

I remember walking out of the library every other week, cheesing from ear to ear, clenching a stack of novels. I remember The Scholastic Book Fair damn near felt like a trip to Toys R Us as I wandered the aisles. The Choices!

But by the time high school rolled around, I was no longer reading for fun. Endless assigned readings chipped away at my appetite for leisure reading, leaving me feeling like I had no free time. That was my excuse, at least. This only got worse through college and grad school.

The turning point came at a mixer when someone asked about the last book I read for fun. Admittedly, I felt slight internal shame because I couldn't remember! That's when I realized how much I missed it — the escape, the window into other worlds, the chance for self-exploration.

Losing the joy you once had for something is unsettling. So, I made a personal pact to read a set number of books each year. Since then, I haven't looked back, and it's been both nostalgic and therapeutic.

I'm not alone in losing touch with this past time. Americans, in general, are reading less for fun while more books are being published than ever. It's a strange and unfortunate situation -- especially for new authors looking for an audience.

Let's look at why people might be turning away from books for fun and how this shift impacts writers.

The Decline in Book Readership

Did you know that nearly a third of Americans don't read books at all? And those who do only spend about 16 minutes a day on it, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This paints a pretty bleak picture of America's reading habits. Multiple studies confirm this decline in reading, making us wonder—what's behind this shift?

Factors Contributing to the Decline in Reading

It's clear that Americans' attention is being pulled in a million different directions. Reading, which requires a good chunk of our time and focus, just isn't making the cut for many folks. This shift has a lot to do with our tech-driven lifestyles and changing values.

When we break it down, it's easy to see why leisure reading, which is super important for our intellectual and emotional growth, has taken a backseat. From the allure of social media to the instant gratification of streaming services, there are just so many other options competing for our attention these days.

I. Convenience Culture

We're living in an era where everything needs to be quick and easy, which has changed how we consume content. Audiobooks and podcasts are booming because they fit perfectly into our busy lives. You can listen while commuting, working out, or doing chores—no need to sit down and read.

Then, there's the rise of short-form content like blog posts and news snippets. These give us quick bites of information without the need to commit to a whole book. It's like fast food for the brain—quick, tasty, but not always filling. This shift means we spend less time on profound, immersive reading experiences that need our full attention and emotional investment. Convenience culture is definitely changing how we engage with the written word.

II. Digital Distractions

We live in a world full of devices and apps designed to grab and keep our attention. Smartphones, tablets, and computers bombard us with notifications, social media updates, and other distractions, making it hard to sit down and read for pleasure. The quick dopamine hits from gaming and interactive media are super enticing, often taking precedence over the quieter satisfaction of finishing a novel or a poetry collection.

III. Shift in Entertainment Preferences

Remember when enjoying a good story meant hoping for something interesting on TV or diving into a book? Well, times have changed. With streaming services, we now have endless movies, TV shows, and documentaries at our fingertips. You can binge-watch to your heart's content without running out of options.

How the Decline of Reading Affects New Authors

This decline in reading habits represents more than a cultural shift—it poses a substantial challenge for authors, particularly new and self-published authors.

I. There is a Supply Demand Problem

Here's the thing: way too many books are being published compared to the number of people who actually read for fun. With the rise of self-publishing, getting a book out there is easier than ever. Thousands of new books are coming out every year. But the problem is, more people want to write books than there are folks who want to read them. This creates a crowded market where it's hard for any book to stand out.

II. People Tend to Buy Books that are Already Really Popular

Just like any other shoppers, book lovers are pretty impressionable. They rely on recommendations from Amazon, The New York Times Best Seller list, and what friends rave about on Audible. And algorithms on platforms like Amazon and Audible push what's already selling, creating a loop where a small number of books hog all the spotlight. It's like a popularity contest where the same books keep winning because everyone's talking about them.

When readers see these trending books, they're more likely to pick them up, trusting that what's popular must be good. This makes it tough for new authors to get noticed. Without a spot on those prestigious lists or a hefty marketing budget, new books can easily get lost in the shuffle.

Readers are less likely to take a chance on an unknown author when bestsellers are always front and center. It's a challenging scene for fresh voices who have to work extra hard to build a following and stand out amidst the buzz of big names.

So, Where Does That Leave New Authors?

New writers often spend months or even years pouring into their debut novels, dreaming of becoming the next Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. But that initial excitement usually comes crashing down on release day when there's no audience. It's deflating when only your loved ones seem to care.

In a world brimming with books, finding your tribe is more important than ever. For every non-reader, there's someone eager for a new author with a unique story to tell.

The truth is, it's a slow grind. You can't just rely on Amazon's algorithms or publishing houses to give you that push. This "chicken-or-the-egg" dilemma leaves many aspiring novelists feeling stuck.

Building a loyal reader base is tough but so important. If you have an email list with 2,000 people, that's your audience right there. When you publish your book on Amazon, you don't need heavy marketing—just let your readers know it's there.

All hope isn't lost for new authors. A small but dedicated reader base can make all the difference. Whether your book is traditionally published, self-published, or serialized, its chance of success alone might be slim in this crowded space. But with a few thousand devoted fans, anything is possible.