Dr. Crystal K. Waters

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes, in spite of the fact that I do not always make ample time for it. Mid-PhD studies (2018) I walked into a local bookstore, found a cheap book, and started an online book community known as The Leisure Library. I wrote a blog about why I created an online book community and have listed a few of my favorite bookstagrammers to follow on Instagram. Since then, I have been intentionally reading good books (for leisure) and adding them to my bookshelves.

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.”

– Mark Twain (American writer)

Federal data shows a constant decline in the number of adults reading year after year. Some hypothesize that maybe COVID had a significant impact on the number of people reading. Others suggest that maybe it is the increase of social media addiction. In 2023, David Montgomery reported on YouGov that if a person read 1 book then they are in the 46th percentile of American adults. Having read 10 books puts one in the 79th percentile of American adults. But what does it take to be in the top 1%? Great question! YouGov reports that to be in the top 1% of American adults, you must read more than 50 books per year!

How my reading habits compare to adult Americans

Gone are the days of devouring a 400 page book in 2 days. During those years I was reading about 25 books per year and landing in the top 10% of adults. While many of the richest people in the world read 52 books per year, in my opinion I lack the free time to get lost in a good book for hours. But really, is that a good excuse if you’re knowingly limiting personal growth? The Washington Post reported that roughly 65% of Black people do not read. I try to do my part to change the narrative. As of November 2024, I have read roughly 10 books this year, which puts me in the top 21% of adults. I recognize the privilege I have to create time to read; therefore, I hope to share the knowledge I have in hopes of inspiring others to try something new and maybe learn something unexpected for personal advancement through a good book.

Reading slumps are real

I was in a reading slump for years until I picked up a good book, just because.  Finishing that book sparked a passion inside of me that I had not felt since my youth: the LOVE of reading. In school there were certain books you had to read for class assignments. I’m sure that all of those books were not your favorite. But outside of the educational system there is tons of flexibility in what you can choose to read. There are so many different genres for you to find what brings you the most fulfillment. Do not stop exploring genres or authors until you find something you really enjoy! I encourage everyone to find a good book and challenge yourself to get out of your reading slump – regardless of how long it has been since you read a book.

I constantly work at the habit of reading because a small consistent effort will elevate me past the average person.

Advantages of Daily Reading

1. Your reading speed increases. The more I read, the faster I can read. It is true that if you practice something every day you become more efficient at it. Not to mention, by diversifying what I choose to read I am practicing how to digest and share information to diverse audiences.
2. You may gain a broader perspective. Reality TV tends to show very predictable characters, maybe for the ratings?! Contrarily, books tend to have much more intricate character development allowing one to explore various perspectives of the human experience – especially those different to one’s own.
3. You may improve your vocabulary. Self-expression is key in communicating our individual needs and wants. Reading will likely expand your vocabulary, giving you a larger word selection for effective communication in personal and professional relationships.
4. You may learn something new about yourself. I am really big on personal growth and self-awareness. Reading can provide quiet moments to reflect and understand more about self.
5. It is really fun and rewarding! I am all about reading in my leisure time, hence The Leisure Library. If I am going to do it in my free time it must be fun.

Interested in joining my online book community?

Note to Readers

I am grateful that you landed here on my site. I am always interested in connecting with other bibliophiles. A compilation of book photos can be found on @theleisurelibrary on Instagram. Book reviews, reflections, and additional content will be added here. Please share this site if you are inspired by its content. Also, feel free to leave a book suggestion in the comments. I’m always open to learning about new books. I’m excited to have you as a part of my community!

Until next time…