Today, it's common to see people reading in public or posing with books on social media. However, some argue that not everyone is genuinely passionate about books. In The Guardian on 30/6, author Alaina Demopoulos suggests that a segment of young people are engaging in "performative reading."

Many young people read and pose with books in public places. Illustrative photo: The Guardian

Many young people read and pose with books in public places. Illustrative photo: The Guardian

According to The New Statesman, the rise of performative reading is partly due to social media. In 2021, numerous celebrity book clubs emerged, and communities like BookTok and Bookstagram flourished on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The trend of documenting reading habits and sharing favorite works helped spread the love of books. Consequently, "for some gen Z (those born between 1997 and 2012), books have become fashionable accessories," The Times reports.

Demopoulos explains this phenomenon stems from the desire to be "seen reading." Some believe it's more stylish to carry a book than "to wear airpods like everyone else." They also tend to choose classic literature, "the more challenging, the better." "Ultimately," Demopoulos argues, "it’s all about showing off to others that you’re intellectual, or to feel smugly superior about yourself."

Many eagerly blog and vlog about the number of books they read annually. However, Thomas Oppong, a writer for Medium, argues: "Reading 100 books a year won’t make you successful. In fact, if you read superficially, you'll forget everything." He compares this approach to binge-watching movies, focusing solely on quantity.

Oppong quotes philosopher Mortimer J. Adler: "With good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but how many can get through to you." Oppong states he never sets annual reading goals, prioritizing comprehension and retention. "I read slowly and deeply. Successful readers are those who desire to learn, to build habits that allow them to absorb knowledge from great minds, so they don't rush."

Furthermore, many question the quality of books promoted in communities like BookTok. Some popular titles, such as It Ends with Us (2016) and Verify (2018), have been criticized for "romanticizing domestic violence." According to The Huntington News, "These novels have superficial writing and convoluted plots. BookTok creates a trend of 'fast-food' books, like fast fashion, and they are excessively praised due to the bandwagon effect."

Demopoulos advises against overreacting to this phenomenon. She asks: "Where are we allowed to read, then? If it’s only in private, it becomes something shameful, something to be hidden. For many who use public transport or are in places without internet access, it might be the only time of day they can fully concentrate on a book." Instead of criticizing or speculating about someone's genuine love for books, she encourages respecting their choices, allowing everyone to connect with their preferred works.

While "performative reading" isn't the ideal approach, it has positively impacted the publishing industry by boosting sales and encouraging more reading. According to The Guardian, 669 million books were sold in the UK in 2023, the highest number ever recorded. Gen Z was the primary buying group, and library visits also increased.

Chau Anh (The Guardian, The Times)