Is it normal to think there's a reason people don't read books?

Hmm, I kind of see where you're coming from, but I'm sort of on the fence. I do think that if there were video games 100 years ago, then fewer people would read. I just don't think that's a good enough excuse. All that says to me is that we shouldn't act like only this generation has a problem, but rather that we can get away with it now, in a sense. I can't really describe what I mean very well.

I'm not entirely sure, but maybe some people don't bother with books because they take time and it isn't instant stimulation. I know people who give up on books if they aren't "hooked" by the first few pages. And apparently them reading in the first place is some sort of achievement. I think that's ridiculous, the fact that some people don't have the patience to wait for something great, just because...well, I don't even know why, to be honest. Is it really so exhausting for people to read or something? I can understand why some people would want everything quicker and non-stop action, but I don't think that makes it right. They're missing out, in my opinion.

Why wouldn't people choose entertainment which is more stimulating? To learn something, to read something and feel like you're a better person by the end of it, to actually think, to have a connection with something which goes beyond that which you'd get from something quick (and sometimes completely worthless). I'm not really sure, just my opinion.:)

I can read!!! I was just a little while ago! A book, a real book :D

Well I'm younger than 18 and I love video games but that doesn't mean I don't love reading as much. The only reason why I don't read so often (usually 1 book every month) is because I can't find any good books to read. Most of those new book are boring and the old ones aren't avialable in my country. I also noticed that we lack good fantasy books.

I'm writing a book about necromancy and flesh-crating.

Reading makes me shart

I used to do both, now I don't do either.

I read a book a week, always have, always will.

Internet indeed is the main one... after that the thickness and boring covers of books ( as I'm amongst those who judge the book by its cover or intriguing title)..... less libraries and expensive books...
and less availability of the type of book you prefer....

and then my writing style is very different.. its quite philosophical and imaginative even if the point is a fact or any other thing... and i expect the same from the writers of books but i find such books very rarely and many books cant just grab my attention ,sometimes i start reading a book but then after two to three pages i quietly close it and keep it away....

I love reading books when i actually start reading a book i can't put it down but i have to start reading it first.

It's the way english and reading is taight in school they put me in special ed and didnt even try to teach me there

I love reading, I just don't really have that much time to finish a book.

I enjoy reading & video games, but I'm much better at the latter than the former, so I do it more.

Personally, I don't like reading books. I read up on things online, and I enjoy reading information from certain topics, but I dislike doing it from book.

I like audio tapes that read out every part of a book, though.

Maybe they just don't enjoy reading. Some people don't enjoy watching films much. Some people don't enjoy listening to music much. People have always had different interests. It isn't a new thing.

Maybe it has to do with the way English is taught in schools. Many people see reading as a challenge, a chore, something to be done because you have to and avoided whenever possible. It puts people off reading in the same way bad maths teaching puts kids off maths. Uninspiring teaching isn't a new thing.

Maybe it's because books don't provide instant gratification in the way other media does. There have always been other ways to get instant gratification. That isn't a new thing.

I stopped reading for pleasure about a year ago. My concentration couldn't cope with it. No book could hold my attention. I saw no meaning in reading. Reading is too passive, I can't get stuck in when I'm reading. I'm not slagging it off as an activity, just saying that for me it's not enjoyable for me anymore. And I do kind of hate that. I miss reading.

I resent the fact that not reading is seen as a problem, though.

I'm 17-years-old and I'm a heavy reader. I love to read, I love books, I love reading. I've never judged another person for not liking to read. I've talked to people my age and even older people who despise reading and I noticed that these people have been so used to reading against their will because of work, school, or things they do in their daily lives that they have this idea that reading can't be fun or pleasant. I wish they'd go to a library one day and buy a book about something they're interested in.

Seriously, there are books about absolutely everything all over the world, read a book about something that fascinates you and you'll start reading more.