Reading is a wonderful hobby that can enrich your life in many ways. Reading can improve your knowledge, vocabulary, memory, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Reading can also reduce your stress, boost your mood, and enhance your well-being. However, not all readers are the same. There are different types of readers who have different preferences, habits, and styles when it comes to reading. Knowing what kind of reader you are, can help you choose the right books for yourself, enjoy reading more, and connect with other readers who share your interests.
In this blog post, we'll talk about some of the most common types of readers and help you identify which one you belong to. You may find that you fit into more than one category, or that you change your type depending on the situation. That’s perfectly fine, because reading is a personal and dynamic experience that can vary from person to person and from time to time.
The Serial Binge-Reader
This type of reader is like the binge-watcher of Netflix: Once they catch the feels for a group of characters or a particular writer’s style, they can’t stop and won’t stop until they’re all caught up with the series. And pity the poor soul who has to keep this reader company while they anxiously await the next release! The Serial Binge-Reader loves to immerse themselves in a fictional world and follow the adventures of their favorite heroes and villains. They are loyal and passionate fans who often join fandoms and participate in online discussions and fan activities.
If you are a Serial Binge-Reader, you probably have a long list of series that you have read or plan to read, such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, A Song of Ice and Fire, The Lord of the Rings, etc. You may also enjoy reading spin-offs, prequels, sequels, or adaptations of your favorite series. You may also like to re-read your favorite series from time to time to relive the excitement and nostalgia.
The Highbrow Reader
This type of reader takes pride in their knowledge of the classics, or whatever book former presidents or influential scholars are currently raving about in their annual reading lists. They don’t want to be bothered with mass-market fiction or whatever the rest of us are reading on the beach, so unless you’re also a bit of a literary snob, you may not find much to discuss as far as your reading list is concerned. The Highbrow Reader likes to challenge themselves with books that are intellectually stimulating, culturally significant, or artistically innovative. They are well-read and well-informed readers who often have strong opinions and high standards when it comes to literature.
If you are a Highbrow Reader, you probably have a collection of books that are considered classics, such as Pride and Prejudice, Crime and Punishment, 1984, etc. You may also like to read books that are critically acclaimed, award-winning, or best-selling in the nonfiction genre, such as Sapiens, Becoming, The Power of Habit, etc. You may also like to read books that are written by renowned authors or experts in their fields, such as Toni Morrison, Malcolm Gladwell, Yuval Noah Harari, etc.
The Player
This type of reader doesn’t like choosing favorites, but thanks to their multi-tasking abilities, they don’t have to. They can start the morning with an inspirational self-help book and doze off in the evening with a bookmark in the latest romantic bestseller. Not everyone can manage this kind of juggling, but The Player makes it look easy. The Player likes to read widely and diversely across different genres, topics, and formats. They are curious and adventurous readers who love to discover new books and authors. They are also flexible and adaptable readers who can switch between different books without getting confused or bored. If you are a Player, you probably have a variety of books on your reading list or shelf at any given time. You may like to read fiction and nonfiction books equally or depending on your mood. You may also like to read books in different formats such as physical books; e-books; audiobooks; podcasts; etc. You may also like to read books from different sources such as online bookstores; libraries; blogs; social media; etc.
The Fickle Reader
This type of reader might have a little bit of everything on their reading list; but once they get started; they have trouble seeing the job through. Unlike The Player; who knows how to spread the love around; the Fickle Reader tends to get bored fast—so they move on quickly to whatever catches their eye next. You could build a fort out of all the half-read books they have lying around the house. The Fickle Reader likes to start new books but struggles to finish them. They are easily distracted or dissatisfied readers who often lose interest or motivation halfway through a book. They are also impulsive and spontaneous readers who often buy or borrow more books than they can handle.
If you are a Fickle Reader, you probably have a lot of books that you have started but not finished, such as The Girl on the Train, The Da Vinci Code, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, etc. You may also have a lot of books that you have bought or borrowed but not started, such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Alchemist, The Secret, etc. You may also have a lot of books that you have forgotten or abandoned, such as The Catcher in the Rye, The Kite Runner, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, etc.
The Repeat Reader
Whatever good intentions you had when you recommended a new book to the Repeat Reader; they most likely smiled politely before picking up their cherished copy of The Sun Also Rises for the 100th time and forgetting your suggestion forever. It’s not that they’re necessarily stuck in a comfort zone; but they do know what they like. They’re basically the polar opposite of the Player: Once they pair up with a book or author; they’re loyal for life. They’ve found their lobster and they see no reason to wander. The Repeat Reader loves to re-read their favorite books or authors over and over again. They are nostalgic and sentimental readers who often find new meanings or pleasures in the same books. They are also devoted and faithful readers who often form strong emotional attachments or personal connections with the books or authors they love.
If you are a Repeat Reader, you probably have a few books or authors that you have read multiple times, such as The Little Prince, Harry Potter, Jane Austen, etc. You may also have a few books or authors that you consider your comfort reads, such as Anne of Green Gables, Winnie-the-Pooh, Roald Dahl, etc. You may also have a few books or authors that you consider your inspiration reads, such as The Alchemist, Eat Pray Love, Paulo Coelho, etc.
The eBook Denier
Though many of us have come to appreciate the benefits of an eReader; the eBook Denier refuses to conform. They want the feel; the smell; and the comfort of crisp pages; and they get no greater pleasure than seeing their treasured stacks of hardcovers and paperbacks piled up around the house. The eBook Denier prefers to read physical books over digital ones. They are traditional and conservative readers who value the sensory and aesthetic aspects of reading. They are also proud and expressive readers who like to display their books as part of their identity or personality.
If you are an eBook Denier, you probably have a lot of physical books in your home or office. You may like to organize them by color; genre; author; or any other way that makes sense to you. You may also like to collect special editions; signed copies; or rare books that are hard to find online. You may also like to visit bookstores; libraries; or book fairs to browse and buy more physical books.
The eBook Lover
This type of reader is the opposite of the eBook Denier: They embrace the convenience; affordability; and accessibility of digital reading. They love their eReader; tablet; or smartphone; and they can’t imagine going back to lugging around heavy books or paying full price for them. The eBook Lover prefers to read digital books over physical ones. They are modern and practical readers who value the functionality and versatility of reading. They are also smart and savvy readers who like to take advantage of online deals; discounts; or freebies.
If you are an eBook Lover, you probably have a lot of digital books on your device or cloud storage. You may like to use apps like Kindle; Nook; Kobo; or Google Play Books to read and manage your digital library. You may also like to use websites like BookBub; BookRiot; or Goodreads to find and download more digital books.
The Audiobook Listener
This type of reader is not really a reader at all: They are a listener. They enjoy listening to audiobooks instead of reading them with their eyes. They love the convenience; flexibility; and entertainment of listening to books while doing other things. The Audiobook Listener prefers to listen to audiobooks over reading them. They are busy and multitasking readers who like to fit reading into their hectic schedules. They are also auditory and imaginative readers who like to hear the voice; tone; and emotion of the narrator or author.
If you are an Audiobook Listener, you probably have a lot of audiobooks on your device or streaming service. You may like to use apps like Audible; Libby; Scribd; or Spotify to listen and subscribe to audiobooks. You may also like to listen to audiobooks while driving; walking; cooking; cleaning; or exercising.
POLL - Are you any of the type of readers we mentioned? What Kind of Reader Are You?
What kind of reader are you?
The Serial Binge Reader
The Highbrow Reader
The Player
The Fickle Reader
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