Beyond the Scroll: The Hidden Cost of Abandoning Books

As a 59-year-old who grew up in an era where “reading is fundamental” was more than just a slogan—it was a way of life—I find myself increasingly dismayed by society’s shifting relationship with reading. Having written and published several books, it surprises and saddens me how often I’m met with the question, “Do you have it as an audiobook?” when I share my work. While there’s nothing wrong with audiobooks, I find that there’s something special about holding a book in your hands. It’s not just my experience; friends and acquaintances alike confess that they rarely read, or when they do, they skim, racing to the main point and bypassing the details.

This isn’t simply a personal sorrow for lost habits; it’s a reflection on a cultural change that, in my view, is profound. Our age is one of speed, convenience, and instant access. Audiobooks, podcasts, and quick summaries have made stories and information more accessible than ever before, but they’ve also made them more disposable. In the process, we risk losing the art of immersive, reflective reading—a loss that carries consequences for how we think, feel, and understand the world.

My own passion for reading is something I inherited. My father was the original “bookie” in our family—a nickname I gave him referencing his love for reading. He often spoke about just how deep his love for books truly was, recalling how he would read until his eyes grew weary. Yet even then, he couldn’t bear to part with his book entirely; instead, he’d hold it close, fanning through the pages simply to breathe in the scent of the paper and ink.

Whenever I acted as his driver, whether for errands, preaching engagements, or family visits, it became a running joke that he’d always get in the car with a book in hand. I’d tease, “You’re gonna talk to me today! Put that book down!”—yet we both knew that our shared love of books was a bond as strong as any conversation. When he transitioned to life eternal, he left me his library. Now, I have both his collection and my own, and sometimes I’m overwhelmed, not just by the sheer number of books, but by the decision of which topic to engage next. There is a richness in that abundance—a richness that feels increasingly rare.

If we lose our connection to reading, here’s what I believe we leave behind:

• The Loss of Deep Thinking

  Reading asks something special from us that we don’t get from most other media: our full, steady attention. When you pick up a book, you have to slow down and really take things in—there’s no “fast forward” button or quick scan here. You experience stories and ideas at the pace the author sets, not your own.

  This isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. Reading teaches us patience and helps us think more deeply. It pushes us to handle big ideas, to deal with complicated topics, and to pause and really reflect instead of just reacting right away.

  If we skip out on this kind of focused reading, our thinking can get scattered—like the headlines and quick sound bites we see every day. We might lose the ability to see the bigger picture, sort through tricky issues, or connect ideas from different places.

  Reading isn’t just about picking up new facts or stories—it’s about training your mind to make connections, to ask questions, and to stay curious.

  
  

• The Erosion of Empathy

  Books are one of the best ways to learn empathy. When we read stories—whether they’re made up or true—we get to step into someone else’s shoes for a while. We see the world from their point of view, feel what they feel, and start to understand what drives them or what scares them. This kind of reading helps us grow more compassionate and open-minded in real life.

  
  

  Growing up, my dad’s bookshelf was filled with Bible-based books and devotionals, all focused on studying and growing in Christ. Through those pages, I learned not just about faith, but also about loving others, understanding their struggles, and seeing the world through the lens of Christ’s compassion. Reading these books reminded me that empathy is at the heart of Christian living—reaching out, listening, and caring for others as Jesus did. Without this, our hearts can grow closed off, and we risk missing the deeper connections that come from truly understanding and loving those around us.

  
  

• The Decline of Language and Communication Skills

  Reading is one of the best ways to learn and grow with language. Every time we pick up a book, we come across new words, interesting phrases, and fresh ways to share ideas. I know for me, both my own books and the ones from my dad’s collection have added so much to my vocabulary and helped me better understand and express myself.

  
  

  When we trade reading for just skimming articles or listening to quick summaries, we lose out on all the richness that language has to offer. Our way of communicating can become basic and less colorful, and sometimes we can’t say exactly what we mean. There’s something special about a beautifully written sentence or the perfect word in the right spot—it makes our own thoughts clearer and more powerful. Reading helps us find those words and use them well.

  
  

• The Sacrifice of Imagination

  There’s something unique about reading that you just don’t get from movies or audio. When we read, we help create the world alongside the author—the words are just the starting point, and the rest comes to life in our own minds. That kind of imagination is powerful. It fuels our creativity, helps us solve problems, and lets us dream about new possibilities. But when we stop reading and only take in ready-made worlds from TV or social media, we don’t use our imagination as much. We start to lose that creative spark that reading helps keep alive.

  
  

• The Undervaluing of Details

  These days, we’re often in such a hurry to get to the “main point” that we skip over the little details—the parts that actually make stories and ideas meaningful. But it’s those details, the descriptions and small touches, that give a story its depth and make an argument stronger. They aren’t just extra stuff; they’re what help us truly understand and connect with what we’re reading.

  
  

  When we gloss over the details, we miss out on the richness of the story or the full picture of an idea. The journey through those details is just as important as where we end up. Taking the time to notice them makes the whole experience so much more rewarding.

  
  

The abundance of books in my life—my own and my father’s—reminds me daily of the treasures that reading bestows. Each book is a door to another world, another mind, another way of seeing. If we allow ourselves to lose the habit of reading, we lose more than stories; we lose the depth, empathy, creativity, and reflection that make us fully human.

So, the next time you are tempted to skip to the end, or to swap a book for a quick summary, I invite you to pause. Savor a page, a paragraph, a sentence. Let yourself get lost in the details. Because in reading, as in life, it is often the journey—not just the destination—that matters most.

What book will you savor next? Let’s reclaim the quiet joy of reading—one page at a time.

Coach

Kathryn

Prioritize reading! Start today!