I used to be that person who bragged about the five books I was “currently reading.” My nightstand looked like a bookshop disaster zone. Yet, how many of those books did I actually finish? Not many. I was all talk, no action.
Let’s dive into the signs that might reveal someone is just performing the act of reading, rather than genuinely engaging with it.
1. They Accumulate Books Rapidly
Walk into their space and it’s obvious: books are piling up everywhere, many still sporting their price tags. I remember when I’d leave indie bookstores with a stack of new titles, feeling accomplished. But the reality? It was more like a collection of dreams about who I wanted to be. In a survey, about 61% of people reported buying more books than they could read. Genuine readers don’t just buy—they read. Their purchase rate matches their reading speed.
2. Their “Currently Reading” List Stays the Same
Ask them what they’re reading, and you might hear the same title weeks later. “Still on that biography of Steve Jobs. It’s great, just busy!” What this often means is they read a few pages but drifted away. Real readers track their progress with specifics, like “I just reached chapter five!” Keeping the same book in limbo reflects more on their identity than on their reading habits.
3. Their Conversations Are Vague
When they talk about books, it’s broad strokes—general themes and catchy quotes from social media. Try digging deeper, and suddenly the details are missing. I was once skilled at skimming reviews and recaps, but genuine readers remember the intricacies, the twists, and the arguments. They engage with the book on a much deeper level.
4. They Get Defensive
Bring up reading, and watch their reaction. A true reader beams with excitement, ready to share. The performer? They might start making excuses—“I’ve been so busy” or “Audiobooks count, right?” This defensive stance often hints at an underlying anxiety that they might be outed as a non-reader.
5. Their Goals Feel Showy
Common reading goals, like “I’ll read 52 books this year,” often serve as a badge of honor for social media. When goals are made for the sake of appearances, the joy of reading fades. Real goals focus on growth: “I want to learn about behavioral economics.”
6. They Restart Books but Avoid the Middle
It’s like a cycle—they read the first chapter, then put the book down, only to restart later. This was my struggle with “Thinking, Fast and Slow.” I’d read the beginning multiple times but never push through to the deeper concepts. The middle is where the heart of a book lies, and that’s where real readers thrive.
7. They Confuse Book Summaries with Reading
They might watch a TED Talk or read an article discussing a book’s ideas but never pick up the actual book. In today’s media-rich world, it’s easy to know about a book without reading it. Everyone’s trying to keep up, but real understanding comes from engaging with the text.
In the end, it’s about being true to yourself. I stopped pretending to be a “reader” and began enjoying books that genuinely interested me. Some months, I read five; other months, none. The key? Honesty with myself.
Reading isn’t about collecting titles or checking boxes. It’s about immersing yourself in ideas and perspectives. So, read what moves you, without the pressure to perform. That’s the real joy of it.
