How can I help my ex-book lover friends pick up reading again?

[Alhad]

This is a major disease spreading very fast. Once I had a big group of friends who were bookworms. Now almost 80% have given up on their reading. What's more surprising, they want to read but somehow cannot. I have following questions, especially for those who do not read much these days:

1. What made you (or friends you know) stop reading? What are the things that come in your way?

2. Would you like to start reading again? If yes, then would you like to reread your favorite books or start something new?

3. How can I help my ex-bookworm friends rekindle their love for reading? Give some interesting and simple ideas. (I have already ruled out putting a gun to their heads, it doesn't work)

[Dee]

The question is why can't they read - if they say they want to...

[Yue]

It may be just a phase... I am a bookworm too but lately I am not reading as much as I used to. And I have no idea why. It just happens, you have to be patient. If they really are bookworms, love for books will come again eventually.

[Magda]

Sakura Yue Michaelis wrote: "It may be just a phase..."

Yup, I have to agree with that. I had those phases too. Usually when I had no time to read (trust me, it happens). Last time when I had a reading block Kindle helped ;) it was just before I got it.

[Terri]

Sharing what I am reading with my friends encourages them. Enthusiasm is a great motivator!

[Kdbrand]

Have you tried doing a buddy read with them? Discussing a book with a friend is always a motivator for me. I like to check out book reviews to find highly-rated stuff to read. Also, audio books are a great way to read while on the go. I listen while walking the dog, cleaning the house, etc.

[Diane]

For each person I think the reading road blocks are likely different. For me I read less when I was in a relationship and my priority was being with him. After marriage I read again but not as much. As the marriage settled in I read more and then finally became pregnant. Having children was the biggest obstacle for me. Working full time and having little ones does not even leave time for sleep on many occasions. As my children became more independent I began reading again. Now they are 9 & 7 and I read every chance I get (sometimes to escape them or the monotony of life but mostly because I love it) I have actually stopped watching TV because if the kids are up it has to be child appropriate ( Lets face it there are some cute kids shows but you can only take so much) and I get interrupted so much I loose interest. I can stop reading and mark my place and go back to it at any time.

I would say starting a book buddy read with your exbookworm friends would be a great start. If you designate X amount of pages/chapters a week and then meet for some wine or coffee to discuss it would be a big motivator.Kind of like a girls night out book club. It their lives are busy do it slower. If you start something that you know is one of those addictive series then it might cause them to pick up the next one on their own.

[Jenny]

For the times when I am not reading much, it's either a matter of just not having the time, or not being in the mood. Those circumstances always pass eventually. If they're in a funk, it is probably just a matter of finding something they love to pull them back into it again.

[Ottilie]

I get into funks every once in awhile or too much work or school work. If it is a funk it's because I need a book with an extra spark to get my butt in action again.

[Casey]

Am I the only one that feels like the original post seems kinda scripted and not natural?

either way, I'm agreeing with the others. A phase. I go through them all the time. I went a couple years without much interest in reading. When I did pick it up again, I had changed genres. Sometimes when it doesn't interest you anymore it's because it's time to read different kinds of things.

[Alhad]

I was not referring to a temporary dip; it's just that their interests have gone down slowly over years. We work in different organizations, so meeting daily is not possible. They have families, and probably reading is not one of their top priorities anymore. We meet up once in a month, that too we go on treks. Mostly we keep in touch through phones or chats. I am not sure if group reading session would look natural. I remember in past our discussions used to be much more intellectual; nowadays it's either office gossip or some practical stuff like which stocks they are buying. They have started looking at reading as something nice but really not that important.

My observation might be wrong: I have noticed that women tend to stick to reading more than men. Men become practical with time. What I am trying to say is,as confirmed by most in this thread, it doesn't have to be this way. Or do I have to accept that eventually most will stop reading, and that I should not really try to influence their choices?

Casey what makes you think that the question was scripted? My friends, who once used to be avid book readers, have turned their backs on books, and I am just trying to find out the reason/s, in the hope that they will start reading again. But anyway thanks for the suggestion of changing the genres. I thought going through the old stuff would click for them by reminding them of the good old days of reading and make them realize how much they are missing out by not reading.

[Alhad]

Sakura Yue Michaelis wrote: "... I am a bookworm too but lately I am not reading as much as I used to. And I have no idea why. It just happens..."

This is exactly what I am talking about. May be it is busy lifestyle, or tired minds, easy distractions, shorter attention span thanks to the readymade entertainment, or change of priorities, or all of these.

[Alhad]

Diane wrote: "...I would say starting a book buddy read with your exbookworm friends would be a great start...."

Kdbrand wrote: "Have you tried doing a buddy read with them? Discussing a book with a friend is always a motivator for me. Also, audio books are a great way to read while on the go ..."

Kdbrand and Diane, thanks for your suggestions. I must admit that I have never tried audio books myself. Will give it a try. About buddy read: we do not meet too often, we keep in touch electronically. I formed a Google private group (which I think is somewhat similar to buddy read), but it dint work. After a while they stopped coming.

Diane wrote: "..start something that you know is one of those addictive series then it might cause them to pick up the next one on their own.."

Jenny wrote:"...it is probably just a matter of finding something they love to pull them back into it again"

I do agree. Plus it may be just a matter of starting. Thanks.

[Alhad]

Dee wrote: "The question is why can't they read - if they say they want to..."

May be it's inertia, or not having the right mood. Let me give an example: I may reply to professional mails withing half an hour; but it takes me days before replying to someone close. I have to choose the right words, I have to be in right mood to choose right words. May be it' something like this. One thing I should have mentioned earlier is that we have become busier. But more than the lack of time I think it's more about the mood.

[Magda]

I just thought about one more thing - sometimes when I look at a book it just seems too long, to heavy to carry (I usually read at way to work and back) and I'm just not in a mood to reach for it.
That's usually the time to read some short stories, some of the unknown authors (you can get plenty of those from smashwords or amazon or free). After reading few of those or maybe some manga/comics where you have images included ;) After that I'm ready again to get into some normal sized books.

[Alhad]

Good point Magda.

Yesterday while returning back from work I walked from the Railway station to my home. And while walking I listened to a short story. I instantly fell in love with the idea. Looking forward to do it everyday.