In an age where AI images and “fake news” propaganda run rampant, critical thinking skills are more valuable than ever. We need to decipher the world ourselves and learn to voice our thoughts in a respectful, determined, and well-researched manner. Like any other skill, these abilities take time to nurture. However, there’s an easy shortcut: investing in reading to foster a mindset that treats both you and those around you more positively.
Reading, particularly for pleasure, has been known to encourage evaluation and even boosts active engagement skills. This assertion is backed up by many studies, including a recent paper published in the International Journal of Educational Research titled “Rewards of reading.” Which found that reading in adolescence is linked to improved academic performance, vocabulary, and identity formation—it lets teens explore aspirations and develop social skills.
Specifically, reading thoughtfully—as opposed to simply skimming a text for the purpose of finishing classwork—helps introduce problem solving to adolescent audiences. Have you ever read a novel with a beloved character that you hate? Or, maybe, a story with compelling narration that feels unfitting for the plot? If so, you’ve improved your debate skills, even if you weren’t aware of it. Forming strong opinions without the support of others helps you to challenge common assumptions and draw your own conclusions, thus improving logic skills.
Despite all of the benefits attributed to reading, young readers are still on the decline. According to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), only 32% of Americans aged 14-25 consider themselves to be “readers.” A troubling 42% of college graduates report to have never read a book after receiving their diplomas.
To me, calling these statistics shocking is an understatement. As an avid bibliophile myself, I have never understood dropping reading as a hobby. To me, reading is no different than binging Netflix or watching a play. Only, rather than growing bored from stale plots, you can instead gain some critical thinking skills easily applied to the real world. Though it may be hard to believe, reading also has social benefits. Per a survey conducted by the NEA, over 13 million American adults are in an active book club. Having a support circle of new friends reduces stress, fosters a sense of community, and allows you to discover new perspectives. Additionally, questioning character’s decisions in a novel allows readers to look at their own morals, leading to healthier and more positive social interactions.
While there are certainly arguments to be made to push yourself into reading genres or books you anticipate hating (namely, to strengthen your appreciation for your favorite genres and to broaden your perspective of the world.) Regular reading for personal development doesn’t have to be about picking up “boring” books—find something in a category you already like and dig in. I often spend an upwards of two hours daily reading what I consider to be the “junk food” of literature—flashy, sometimes poorly-crafted novellas attributed to authors capitalizing on teenage fangirls (sorry, Stephenie Meyer and the greater Twilight fanbase). However, even within that shell of a genre, you can still discover a vault of knowledge. A 2023 University of Cambridge study found that, “adolescents who started reading for pleasure earlier had achieved higher academic success and healthier mental wellbeing.” I have a running document on my phone with every word I’ve learned from a book sometime in 2025. Without my reading, I would never have been able to sneak “reticent” or “soughing” into an American Literature essay.
As a New Year’s resolution, I decided to make myself read a new book every week. I’m going to be frank, not every book I’ve read this year has been great. Most of them haven’t even been good, but I cherish the experience of each story. Some have taught me the beauty of simplicity, others have taught me how to question a character’s motives, and few have taught me what genres to never explore again. If done correctly, every book you read should have a message within, whether distinctly addressed by the author or a notable aspect of your own analysis. A good Stephen King novel may not help you develop compassion as a Faulker multi-perspective story does, but it will certainly show you a thought-provoking mystery that forces you to keep your eyes peeled for hints.
By the time that 2025 comes to an end, I will have read over 52 books, amassed heaps of words to my “actually interesting book words” list, and grown into the shoes of a bold critical listener. By no means am I telling you to put your social life on hold so that you can dive into a new text, nor am I telling you to ignore the latest episode of Love Island to read a 2,000 page autobiography. I am simply suggesting that you spend some time engulfed in the pages of a book and notice the pleasures of life when you fall back into reality.
