Many read books for enjoyment and reap the benefits, such as increased technical knowledge, improved focus, and so on. However, there are also disadvantages significant enough to dissuade others from reading books, such as losing time and inefficient stimulation.

There is no denying the benefits of reading; however, there is also no denying the motivation needed to want to read a book, which only roughly 48.5% of the population has.

Sophomore Leslie Carmona gave insight into her take on reading and why she chooses not to read.

“I feel like I don’t have enough time to read books,” Carmona said.

During the interview, Carmona also shared that she read books in the past due to her parents actively pushing her to read. However, she stopped reading during the COVID-19 pandemic. After all, the online learning that happened during the COVID-19 pandemic gave her time and the power to choose whether to spend her time reading or doing other activities like using social media, which was more attractive because it provided entertainment suited to her preferences.

Sophomore Mars Gonsalez is an active reader who shared his experiences and reasons for reading.

“I was forced to read in school,” Gonsalez said.

While Gonsalez did not initially want to read books, his elementary school required him to pick out a book and read it. He continued to check out books from local libraries in Santa Ana, like New Hope Library, Orange County Public Library, and others, offering free library cards regardless of immigration status to encourage individuals to read. He visits various local libraries three times every month to find new books to entertain him.

Sophomore Gustavo Martinez shares his opinion on reading as someone who finds it less enjoyable than in the past.

“I started to get bored of reading because it became more and more of a requirement than something I wanted to do,” Martinez said.

During his interview, Martinez shared that he finds less enjoyment in reading because it feels like an academic requirement as opposed to a hobby to release academic stress.

The interviews illuminated the reasons why individuals enjoy reading. While some choose not to read, the interviews were able to show the various reasons one may choose a hobby such as reading, one being the academic benefits, which range from having an easier time completing writing assignments to earning a higher reading level.