The science is pretty clear, and you can read it right here: Those of you who regularly read books may be strengthening your cognitive health and cognitive reserve, and are keeping your brain active in ways that lower the risk for dementia. Moreover, not only is reading a pleasurable experience, but it’s also an easy and inexpensive way to lower your stress. Unfortunately, the most recent data suggests that reading books is on the decline. According to a new survey, the percentage of US adults aged 15 and older who read books has dropped 40% in the past 20 years. In 2023, only 16% of Americans aged 15 and older said they read for leisure every day. Furthermore, only 2% of survey respondents stated that they read to kids every day. For those of us with fond memories of reading to our own children, or being read to as a young person, that stands as a sad statistic. 

We know from past polls that a significant number of agebuzz subscribers are regular readers, but for those of you who find it hard to carve out the time to dig into a good new book, there are some suggestions for getting the magic of reading for pleasure back into your life, including setting aside a regular reading time, picking up a book you’ve previously read and loved, listening to a book instead of reading (yes, that counts!) and allowing yourself to put down any book that doesn’t please you. By the way, in case you’re wondering, there are no real negatives to listening to an audiobook rather than holding a hard copy book in your hands, provided you don’t try to do much multi-tasking while listening, which would take away from the pleasure and perhaps cognitive benefits that reading can provide.

But what about all those books that sit on your shelves, clutter your bedside, or are stacked in piles in your home office? Should you feel bad that you likely will never read many of them, or even consider packing them up and getting rid of them in your attempts to clear the clutter from your home? Before you fill a box, consider that the Japanese term for this stash of unread books is “tsundoku.” The concept entails bringing books into your home that you may never read, just for the positive effects of being surrounded by books. Originally a 19th-century concept in Japan, today it evokes a signal that you and your home are open to learning and discovering more. That you are a person who remains curious and is open to the ongoing gathering of knowledge. No shame or guilt needs to happen (though perhaps your bank account will have some regrets), for a home filled with books, even unread books, reflects a willingness to learn more.

And for those of you who want to indulge in more reading but may need some motivation, consider the new vacation trend of reading retreats, where you can indulge to your heart’s content without guilt or judgment, or start up your own walking book club, similar to what’s been started in Washington DC, so you can get the pleasure of reading, along with the health benefits of exercise and socially connecting with others! Whatever you do, try to continue your reading, for, as the writer Stephen King said, “Books are uniquely portable magic.”