Why Reading Feels Hard — and How to Make It Joyful Again
Vocabulary
Article
Read the article aloud on your own or repeat each paragraph after your tutor.Why Reading Feels Hard — and How to Make It Joyful AgainReading is often described as life-changing, a simple habit that boosts mental health, builds confidence, and opens doors to new ideas and cultures. Yet the reality in the UK tells a different story: half of adults rarely read for pleasure, and many find books frustrating rather than comforting.
According to experts, a disinterest in reading may well begin in childhood. In 2025, only about one in three children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in their free time. And when children grow up in homes where books are absent, reading often feels like a chore rather than a joy. What starts as indifference in childhood can turn into a lifelong habit — or, in many cases, the lack of one.
Schools can unintentionally make matters worse. Reading becomes tested, graded, and for children and adults with dyslexia or ADHD, that pressure can make books feel impossible to enjoy. But the good news is that a few simple changes such as graphic novels, easy-to-read fonts, clever layouts, or audiobooks can transform reading from a task into a pleasure.
Audiobooks, in particular, are becoming increasingly helpful. Stories can travel with you — on a walk, in the kitchen, or during your commute — instead of waiting for "quiet time." For kids, they spark imagination and laughter; for adults, they let you move, dance, exercise and focus without having to sit still.
Reading doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Making reading social builds connection and motivation. At Kingston University, giving new students a book with a letter from the author helped them make friends and even reduced first-year dropouts.
Finally, sense of connection matters, because when reading feels social and inclusive, literacy grows, belonging deepens, and readers of all ages feel part of a wider community. And when people also recognize themselves in the stories they read, books become more welcoming and far easier to fall in love with.
In the end, reading doesn’t need to be a goal or a discipline — it just needs to feel good enough that we want to come back to it.
Discussion
Have a discussion based on the following questions.- Which of the tips in the article did you find interesting?
- How often do you read for pleasure? What's the last book you've read?
- Do you think you'd read more if you had more free time?
- Have you ever listened to an audiobook? How did it compare to reading?
- Have you ever been in a book club? What types of books did you read?
Further Discussion
Have a discussion based on the following questions.- Who's the biggest bookworm you know?
- Do you know anyone who doesn't read at all?
- Are there any books you've read more than once?
- What books have you always wanted to read?
- "If you don’t like reading, you probably just haven’t found the right book yet." — J.K. Rowling. Do you agree?