Indian Readers discussion

I can't seem to find a person in real life who is eager to discuss some literature or philosophy with me. I do not have a single colleague who has read any books other than their academic books. Where are the readers going? Or am I looking at the wrong places.

I agree.

They are rare to find. Only 1 or 2 in 10 is a serious reader.

None of my colleagues and college mates were readers too. There were many readers in my school days though.

After college days ,even the book - lovers seem to abandon the habit of reading due to maybe disinterest or careers and other responsibilities.

Also there are multiple avenues for entertainment. Most of it are providing audio-visual stimulation while the books are mainly for mental stimulation. This also leads to divergence towards other mediums.

Right ,but books do provide mental peace ,soothe the mind

Yes, that's why we are the readers!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

After my 10th class, I too drifted away from books for a decade. My new school and college didn't have a good library. Bookshops were less known in towns where I lived. Internet wasn't that ubiquitous before. Moreover, I too lost the habit of reading except for newspapers.

It was only from 2019 that I started reading seriously again and I haven't looked back since then. Having apps like Goodreads also provided me with more motivation to read.

I have been an avid reader since the age of 4 or so. But past 6 months have taken a toll professionally. I am almost clinically depressed because I don't have time to read much, or read good, thought provoking stuff. Nowadays most of my reading is limited to a few minutes snatched here and there, and to audiobooks while doing mindless household chores.

@ahtims
Same here buddy.
Every year I fail my Goodreads yearly books challenge as not able read as much as I want or sometimes not at all.

I feel guilty when I am not able to read at least an hour a day. I am busy these days myself.

I spent most of my high school in a place where books were Hella expensive. (To buy any book, I had to spend around 600-700 rs). So I rarely saw that avid of readers around me..
But returning to India, and seeing how cheap books are here. (For me, atleast) I have *that* spirit back in me to begin reading again.
However, as life would have it, college sucks. No time to read.

I know how that feels Tazmeen. I am in college too now but I am much older than you. Hahaha. I hardly get time to read sometimes. I am always doing assignments and chasing deadlines. It really sucks sometimes. I had more time to read when I was working.

I read quite a bit. Though not specifically literature or philosophy.
Prefer crime/fiction/sci-fi/etc genres.

And I don't usually like discussing books with random people. Only 1-2 known / acquainted people on GR/others.

But that's just me. Keep searching, you may find someone who reads the same genres as you ☕
Or discuss books 🙂

I saw the post headline and I knew I had to post a comment here. I do think that readers are becoming rare, or may be like-minded readers are rarer to find. For instance, we do have a book club in our society but most of them read non-fiction which include philosophy, religion and I keep seeking readers who may be read fiction, classics and perhaps people with whom I can have a discussion but the search yields nothing.

@Parikhit, I too do think people are reading more of non-fiction and self help nowadays.

Ahtims wrote: "@Parikhit, I too do think people are reading more of non-fiction and self help nowadays."

It is actually fascinating and most of them who read non-fiction tell me that even they started with fiction and then graduated to non-fiction as a general progression, outgrowing fiction! They tell me as I grow older I will soon start reading more of non-fiction. Not that I don't read them at all, some books on history, animals are interesting but I don't see myself leaving fiction ever even when I am really really old (Nearing 40s but fiction remains my first love)

Anshul wrote: "I can't seem to find a person in real life who is eager to discuss some literature or philosophy with me. I do not have a single colleague who has read any books other than their academic books. Wh..."

Absolute truth!

@Parikhit, as I grow older I too have started reading more of non fiction. But always, fiction first.

Ahtims wrote: "@Parikhit, as I grow older I too have started reading more of non fiction. But always, fiction first."

I wonder what leads to the gradual change? Do we grow out of fiction or does non-fiction in certain ways appeal more?

Perhaps external influence- book sites, social media, recommendations by peers.

I don't know where to post this - so posting here .
I am about to start -The handmaid's tale (hardcover version ) .Any first time reader , interested in buddy read for it ?