Those are more like conversations than actually reading a book. They’re also very short with immediate payoff. Sounds like some unbalanced brain chemistry around delayed gratification - do you have problems with that in other parts of your life? If so it could be ADHD.

One of the biggest problems with modern reading is that nobody ever has an hour to kill.

As raw entertainment, reading can’t compete with screens.

My tip is to ban your phone from the bathroom. Shitting is just about the only time you’re sitting still with nothing obvious to occupy your mind. In this situation a shampoo label is interesting.

It’s the same for me honestly. Reading fiction isn’t enjoyable for me most of the time, though reading nonfiction (ie learning about the world) absolutely is.

I remember this being somewhat different in my childhood, and my hypothesis is that the fact we got somewhat uninteresting fiction reading assignments in school killed my interest in it.

It’s not screens vs books because I have tried reading fiction on my phone or tablet too, no difference.

Maybe you didn’t find the genre that clicks with you.

1984 is an objectively depressing story and not really interesting for the love story or other things. It’s political.

Reading is great when you have hours to kill and want just more dense information or description. You also sort of need to enjoy using your imagination I guess.

Maybe you’re interested in a biography of a musician or movie director, maybe you’re into history, maybe you like crime and horror stuff.

But also, there are SO MANY bad books out there. Don’t worry about it. I haven’t read a book in years, because I am not really interesting in topics at that level at the moment and I don’t think many authors really capture things well. You need a real good book recommendation.

And also, maybe you just don’t like reading books.

Also, translated books can be a lot worse, read in native language if possible. Authors can put a lot of… style and taste into their language and that’s lost in translation sometimes.

I also have this problem, but for me it’s an ADHD stimulation thing. On a screen, you can take breaks between reading large passages by switching between tasks

With books, thats a lot harder to do. The thing that fixed it for me was switching to audiobooks. That means now I can “read” while driving, or doing the dishes, or cooking.

Different people like different things. Even despite my super busy life I still read a lot. It allows me to slow down a bit.

Try different types of books. I’m currently reading a lot of litrpg which is a fun genre related to fantasy.

66 here. I’ve read one book since I graduated in 1978. I’ve been retired for 11 years now and doing well. Books are like anything else. Either you’re into them or you’re not! It means nothing! You’re good.

Most likely it’s because you haven’t found the types of books you like, or at least the writing style you like to read. Modern writing is much more condensed than it was even 20 or 30 years ago.

What’s your favorite genre of movie or show?