When I
was in college, I was a regular library visitor. I liked reading, and the smell
of books, plus the peace and quiet that came with it, was a bonus. I picked one
book and sat down on the chair—trying to understand more about life. When I
looked up, I found the library fairly deserted. This is something I still don’t
understand.
When asked about
this problem, Manjushree Thapa, essayist, translator, and author of books like
‘Forget Kathmandu’, ‘The Tutor of History’, and ‘All of Us In Our Lives’, says
it is troubling that people aren’t reading more. “For me, reading has always
been a way to enhance the experience of being alive, of being human,” she adds.
Thapa’s
sentiments will resonate with readers universally. Books evoke many emotions,
enabling us to connect with our humanity. She also shares that reading isn’t
merely about learning; it’s a pathway to imagine, enjoy, and lead a meaningful
life.
I’ve noticed
through conversations with fellow readers how books, with their transformative
power, shape perspectives. Some texts stir intense emotions, while non-fiction
broadens our understanding of the world. Through words, the distance between us
and someone living thousands of miles away shrinks. Despite this profound
impact, we aren’t
reading much.
During my college
years, the library was often empty as students preferred to hang out at
cafes—probably because you can be as loud as you want there, and when they
aren’t talking, students are on their phones—sharing memes and texting. While
phones are convenient, I think we rely on them too much. If we spend some of
that time reading, it would be more beneficial for us.
Pragati Rai, the
author of ‘Lekhak Ki Swasni’, ‘Thangra’ and ‘Birsiyeko Mritu’, points out how
our addiction to short-form entertainment results in us analysing and
contemplating the world less and less. Smartphones inundate us with a barrage
of notifications, pop-ups, and an overload of information. This feels similar
to instant gratification, which makes reading
feel slow and frustrating in comparison. “To read, one has to be patient and be
willing to labour their brain to understand some complex things. With these many
entertainment devices around, it has become a challenge,” adds Rai.
The other
challenge in the age of Instagram reels and Tiktok videos is the
ever-decreasing attention span. Some studies claim that in this day and age,
our attention span is worse than that
of a goldfish. We struggle to focus, perpetually seeking more entertainment.
Poet, playwright
and literary critic Abhi Subedi views the decline in reading culture as a
global trend. He believes it is happening because there are many alternative
ways to access knowledge. Something Subedi is weary about is the decrease in
reading culture due to a lack of awareness about its importance.
Additionally,
Subedi is concerned that people today are excessively engaged in sensationalism
and political activism. “This lifestyle has taken up a lot of time of today’s
youth, making them unfamiliar with reading and its benefits,” he says.
Besides the
aforementioned reasons, Rai believes the education system of
Rai advocates
for a shift in reading priorities, urging authorities to promote reading. She
adds, “In developed nations, central libraries serve as community hubs,
fostering a culture of reading—something that is noticeably absent here.”
In essence, the
decline in reading culture is a complex issue. While technology offers diverse
knowledge channels, it also distracts us from the richness of books. Our waning
attention spans further compound the problem. Coupled with an education system that
prioritises grades over genuine learning, we aren’t all that motivated to read.
We must acknowledge these hurdles and work collectively to overcome them. Only
then can the joy of reading permeate our society once more.
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