The concept of a literacy crisis is often used to describe educational issues. However, the term is increasingly being applied in online communities of readers to describe individuals who read more fiction than nonfiction.
The concept of being a “reader,” to me, is at its core about fulfilling a fundamental curiosity. It’s the curiosity to have a space where you can explore new characters, worlds, plots and ideas at your own pace and frequently at a more digestible level.
With the increase in online community spaces over the last decade, many are turning to BookTok, BookTube, Bookstagram, and other platforms to discuss and find community in their reading.
As a high consumer of this content, responsible for more than one of the over 370 billion views according to Forbes, I am puzzled by this. For me, reading has always been an easy way to connect with others, even if they are not avid readers.
The argument against many of these popular online communities is that while they are reading, they are not “real” readers or book enthusiasts because of the genres of books they read. To some, this includes genres such as romance, contemporary fiction and other more lighthearted topics.
Others feel “tropes,” or predictable plotlines that follow similar patterns, distract from key literary devices such as characterization or narrative.
It is not to say there are no signs of a literacy crisis in America. It is certainly true that there is a reduction in assigned reading and a larger classical understanding between young and new adults.
“It’s not that they don’t want to do the reading. It’s that they don’t know how. Middle and high schools have stopped asking them to,” The Atlantic says.
Even in the educational space, some feel that terming these trends as a “crisis” is unnecessary. However, with politicians banning books and restricting the right to free information, encouraging reading is more important than ever.
“They’re not reading in the ways that they need to read to be prepared for the tasks of learning and critical thinking,” Vox News says. “A decline in those critical thinking skills has big implications not just for young people today, but for society as a whole.”
So, what constitutes a reader? Curiosity. While social media has the power to connect people and ideas globally, I don’t think it should have the power to gatekeep literacy or being “literate.”
Reading is for everyone, and the more we encourage and support others, the stronger we are as a society, whether you enjoy Nora Roberts or Dante.
Providing others who may not have grown up in a reading-influenced household with the opportunity to pick up a new hobby is, in my opinion, our duty as those with the privilege to be enthusiasts already.
Not to mention many of these “tropes” or genres, which appear frilly in nature, actually have quite important themes for life. Even if a book doesn’t have some grand fable, why can’t we enjoy them all the same?
If you want to read more banned books, check out Banned Books Week, Oct. 5-11, 2025.
Emily Stokes is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Have something to say? Email Emily at es542222@ohio.edu
