Read More in 2026
Read More in 2026
On December 31, did you join millions of Americans in setting goals or resolutions for the New Year? I want to add one to your list—reading more in 2026.
Are you aware that today 33 percent of adults have not read a book since high school? The United States is in the grip of a reading recession—nearly half of Americans didn’t read a single book last year.
Since the early 2000s, leisure reading has plunged by nearly 40 percent, a decline reflected by falling reading scores. What is at stake is not merely how people spend their free time, but a deeper erosion of an essential habit that expands knowledge and empathy—namely, reading. How might reading benefit your life?
One, reading stimulates your brain. In addition, reading improves your focus and concentration. Even more, reading boosts your memory. This fact alone should motivate us to read more.
Two, reading grows your empathy. Through reading, you have the opportunity to walk in the shoes of characters from diverse backgrounds, facing different struggles, cultures, and perspectives. As you read about their struggles you realize you and your friends aren’t the only ones who have faced similar problems.
Three, reading grows your vocabulary. The typical adult has a vocabulary of 27,000 to 30,000 words. But those immersing themselves in books gain an even larger vocabulary.
Four, reading improves your mental health by reducing stress levels. Self-help books and biographies can have a profound impact on mental health. These genres of books provide stories, tools, and techniques to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Five, reading improves your critical thinking skills. Books challenge us to question, analyze, and evaluate. Reading encourages us to think deeply and challenges us to consider different perspectives.
Six, reading will improve your writing skills. Since your vocabulary and pronunciation improve by reading regularly, reading makes you a better writer. Even when writing something in everyday life, your writing skills would have improved through regular reading.
Seven, reading is low-cost entertainment. If you have a library card, it’s on the house. If not, search Amazon for free e-books. Save money by purchasing used books instead of new ones.
Eight, reading allows you to travel without leaving home. One minute you are sitting in a recliner in your living room, and the next minute your attention is focused on something happening in a different time, state, or country.
Nine, reading improves your sleep. In this age where devices rule, picking up a book at bedtime instead of watching TV or scrolling on your phone is a better way to help your brain power down and prompt your body that it’s time for sleep.
Ten, reading enhances your creativity and imagination. When you read, you’re transported to different worlds and exposed to new ideas. Studies show that reading, particularly fiction, has the ability to spark creativity in profound ways.
How can you keep your resolution to read more in 2026? Start small. If you aren’t a regular reader don’t tackle a 600-page book first. Try multiple reading formats—handheld, e-book, or audiobook. Adopt a quitter’s mentality. If you get halfway through a book and you don’t like the book, it’s OK to put that book down. Read book versions of TV shows or movies. Get book recommendations from others.
If you are a parent, instill in your children a love for reading by reading to and with them. Reading levels among kids are declining, while screen time is on the rise. Do your best to show your children the importance of reading instead of watching a screen.
Read More in 2026
On December 31, did you join millions of Americans in setting goals or resolutions for the New Year? I want to add one to your list—reading more in 2026.
Are you aware that today 33 percent of adults have not read a book since high school? The United States is in the grip of a reading recession—nearly half of Americans didn’t read a single book last year.
Since the early 2000s, leisure reading has plunged by nearly 40 percent, a decline reflected by falling reading scores. What is at stake is not merely how people spend their free time, but a deeper erosion of an essential habit that expands knowledge and empathy—namely, reading. How might reading benefit your life?
One, reading stimulates your brain. In addition, reading improves your focus and concentration. Even more, reading boosts your memory. This fact alone should motivate us to read more.
Two, reading grows your empathy. Through reading, you have the opportunity to walk in the shoes of characters from diverse backgrounds, facing different struggles, cultures, and perspectives. As you read about their struggles you realize you and your friends aren’t the only ones who have faced similar problems.
Three, reading grows your vocabulary. The typical adult has a vocabulary of 27,000 to 30,000 words. But those immersing themselves in books gain an even larger vocabulary.
Four, reading improves your mental health by reducing stress levels. Self-help books and biographies can have a profound impact on mental health. These genres of books provide stories, tools, and techniques to help manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Five, reading improves your critical thinking skills. Books challenge us to question, analyze, and evaluate. Reading encourages us to think deeply and challenges us to consider different perspectives.
Six, reading will improve your writing skills. Since your vocabulary and pronunciation improve by reading regularly, reading makes you a better writer. Even when writing something in everyday life, your writing skills would have improved through regular reading.
Seven, reading is low-cost entertainment. If you have a library card, it’s on the house. If not, search Amazon for free e-books. Save money by purchasing used books instead of new ones.
Eight, reading allows you to travel without leaving home. One minute you are sitting in a recliner in your living room, and the next minute your attention is focused on something happening in a different time, state, or country.
Nine, reading improves your sleep. In this age where devices rule, picking up a book at bedtime instead of watching TV or scrolling on your phone is a better way to help your brain power down and prompt your body that it’s time for sleep.
Ten, reading enhances your creativity and imagination. When you read, you’re transported to different worlds and exposed to new ideas. Studies show that reading, particularly fiction, has the ability to spark creativity in profound ways.
How can you keep your resolution to read more in 2026? Start small. If you aren’t a regular reader don’t tackle a 600-page book first. Try multiple reading formats—handheld, e-book, or audiobook. Adopt a quitter’s mentality. If you get halfway through a book and you don’t like the book, it’s OK to put that book down. Read book versions of TV shows or movies. Get book recommendations from others.
If you are a parent, instill in your children a love for reading by reading to and with them. Reading levels among kids are declining, while screen time is on the rise. Do your best to show your children the importance of reading instead of watching a screen.
