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The Importance of Reading to Wellbeing

For as long as I can remember, I have loved books. As a child of the 80s/90s, computers and mobile phones were not around to compete for my attention and I would remember going to my local library (shout out to the amazing Basford library in Nottingham) and get my full quota of books before going home to devour them. They provided me with so much joy, laughter, happiness and open up worlds to me that I could only dream of.


Now we have many competing demands on our time, reading can sometimes get left by the wayside. Stats from the National Literacy Trust show:

  • Just 1 in 3 (32.7%) children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they enjoyed reading in 2025. This is the lowest level since we first asked the question in 2005.

  • Only 1 in 5 (18.7%) children and young people aged 8 to 18 said that they read daily, again, the lowest levels since 2005.


However, research from the Reading Agency shows:

  • Reading for pleasure early in childhood is linked to better cognitive performance and mental wellbeing in adolescence.

  • Reading for pleasure is more important for children’s cognitive development than their parents’ level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background.


One of the biggest barriers to reading for wellbeing appears to be the mythical ‘hierarchy of literature’. that there are some texts we should read because they are seen as classics, whereas other forms of literature/reading can be frowned upon. This can act as a deterrent for people simply wanting to read for pleasure, to boost their wellbeing, but who don’t find those books interesting. In order to gain the full benefit of reading for wellbeing, choice in what we read is crucial, be that fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, short stories, poetry, the opportunities are endless. Reading helps us to see new perspectives, explore new worlds and help to enhance our mood and overall health. Visiting your local library offer a huge breadth of reading opportunities and chances to connect with your local community.


Reading and books has well and truly saved my life and I’m thankful everyday.


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