There was a time when reading felt instinctive. You picked up a book because it intrigued you, because the cover pulled you in, or because you wanted to disappear into another world. But gradually, reading for many people has become something else — something optimised. We set yearly reading goals. We track pages. We prioritize nonfiction that promises improvement. We measure value in knowledge gained rather than experience felt.While growth through reading is meaningful, the pressure to constantly extract productivity from books can quietly drain the joy from them. When every book needs to justify itself through usefulness, reading begins to resemble work. And yet, reading was never meant to feel like a performance. It was meant to be a conversation between your inner world and the words on the page. Choosing books based on mood rather than productivity goals restores that conversation. It shifts reading from obligation back to connection.The hidden pressure of “Productive” readingIn a culture that values efficiency, even leisure activities are often judged by output. Reading becomes impressive when it builds skills, increases intelligence, or enhances professional success. As a result, many readers feel subtle guilt when reaching for fiction, comfort rereads, or light storytelling. They… Read MoreYourStory RSS Feed
