The Perceptions Square

Reading for pleasure has declined significantly in the past year or two, especially among young people. The reasons are quite obvious—social media, gaming, reels, and videos that offer quick pleasure in a limited time.

There was a time when people read books for entertainment, and it was their primary source of leisure. But that time has passed, and reading has become a conscious choice rather than an obvious one.

Yet, we cannot say it is completely dead. It is finding new ways to reach modern-day readers. Nowadays, most people read to escape real-life problems or to find solutions within the books they choose. Books that resonate emotionally—stories about love, healing, and highly relatable experiences—tend to perform better.

People are showing less patience, so they gravitate toward fast-paced, shorter, and simpler reads. Still, there are avid readers who continue to keep the tradition of reading alive.
Reading for pleasure is surely in decline, but it is not disappearing. It has become selective, and those who read do so with intention.

For me, reading for pleasure always offers something that other pastimes cannot.
Sometimes, even when you don’t feel like reading, once you finish a book, a sense of calmness, contentment, and a broader perspective fills your mind. This experience cannot be replaced by any other source.