Why don't people read physical books anymore?

 

Why don’t people read physical books anymore?

May 11, 2026

I have a little free/sharing  wooden two shelf library out in the front yard by the curb and NOBODY has been by for over two weeks.   I usually go out Saturday morning and refresh and replace books there, but lately it’s the same books there week after week after week.   I’m ready to give up.

I have advertised it on Instagram, on Facebook, You Tube, and even on our local “Buy Nothing” group.   MAYBE once a month someone will stop by, but lately it has just been crickets.

I actually began with two libraries:  one for adults and one for kids.   The kids one was one of the red plastic ones I bought on Amazon.   It was perfect for chapter books and smaller books for kids, but the larger ones never fit into it.  After a year of non-use, I cleaned it out, moved it to the front porch, and put my gardening supplies in it.  I just GAVE UP.I’ve spent HOURS and HOURS at the two libraries near me buying books, I’ve gone to bi-annual book sales, I’ve been to thrift stores buying books (see a pattern?) for this damn library and NOBODY EVER USES IT.

I give up.   If nobody comes by the first week of June, I’m going to have the son-in-law come and take it apart, cut off the post,  and I’ll bring it inside and use it as a spice rack.   I will admit defeat.

Don’t people READ BOOKS anymore?   I mean, I’ve put some great titles out there:   The Women, Chemistry Lessons, Where the Crawdads Sing, A Thousand Splendid Suns.   NOTHING.   Crickets and spider webs!   I have even bought books online through Amazon and Thrift books.   I constantly take photos of my shelves for people to see and NOBODY comes by.

I’m beginning to get it.  People want instant reads like ipads and Kindle.   I have a Kindle myself.   I never use it.  I was always one of those people who enjoyed having a book in hand. I loved the feel of a book, the texture of its pages.

Unfortunately, I’ve read some pretty BAD BOOKS lately.   I picked up a Dean Koontz book to read after reading “A Thousand Splendid Suns” to bring me back to reality.   And, I enjoyed it, so I picked up another one of his books which was just GARBAGE.   It was a complete waste of time. I hate and refuse to read fantasy books or romance fantasy books.   I don’t have time for that nonsense.  I’m not fond of books written in first person, but if it is well done, I’ll read it.

My TBR stack (to be read) is probably 100 books.   I’m going to go through them and cull them and donate them to one of the thrift stores in town.   I’ve already donated 91 books to one of the local libraries and I need to get rid of the piles in the living room.   So, that will probably be another 90 or so books GONE.   Poor hubby keeps stumbling over one pile of books, so I need to get them OUT!

I finally gave away ALL the kids’ books (mostly chapter books) because nobody was interested in them.   Yet, they’ll pay $2.99 each for them at thrift stores?   I don’t get it.

That spice cabinet is looking more and more appealing.

571 words

May 8, 2026

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