With so many people bent over screens — whether on a phone, tablet or computer — it may come as a surprise that printed books are making a comeback. Across the country, readers are rediscovering the pleasure of physical pages, while bookstores, book clubs and reading-centered social events are experiencing renewed interest.
About 75% of U.S. adults report reading at least part of a book in the past year, with print remaining the dominant format. Physical books continue to far outpace e-books and audiobooks, even as digital entertainment competes for our attention at every turn.
Today’s reading culture, however, looks very different from the cozy neighborhood book clubs of the past. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have turned reading into a shared, highly visible activity, while modern book clubs often double as social events designed as much for community engagement as for literary critique.
Celebrities have long influenced reading culture. From Oprah Winfrey to Dua Lipa, high-profile book clubs help to propel titles onto best-seller lists within days. But the explosion of these clubs has also led to saturation, raising questions about whether their cultural influence is deepening reading habits or commercializing them.
Beyond pop culture, a quieter yet more consequential revival is underway. In Sweden, policymakers are reintroducing physical books to classrooms after years of digital-first learning. Concerns about screen time, distraction and declining reading comprehension have prompted major public investment in textbooks and a renewed emphasis on sustained, focused reading.
In this fast, fragmented, digital world, books are regaining value not just as sources of information but as tools for improving attention spans and increasing quiet reflection and interpersonal connection. At celebrity-inspired clubs, silent reading parties, classroom desks and beyond, the act of reading is once again becoming something people want to do together.