Are you a reader? If so, you know how valuable it is to have someone who understands your reading.
-This is especially true if your friends are also readers and can understand your deep love for books—or even if they're just willing to discuss an exciting plot twist with you over coffee.
That's why I've written this guide: to help those who read connect with those who don't.
I'm going to break down some common types of readers and explain how their personalities might differ from one another based on their interests and preferred genres.
Reader Personality Types
Reading is a personal experience, and finding the right book for you can be difficult.
However, knowing what type of reader you are, you can narrow your search and find books that fit your reading style perfectly.
There are five basic types of readers: the plot-thriller, the literary fiction appreciator, the casual reader who enjoys a good story but doesn't have time to waste on complicated plots and words (this is me—I read children's literature or memoirs primarily), and so on. Identifying your type will help you identify great books and implement them.
The "I Read to Escape" Reader
The "I Read to Escape" Reader
● This reader enjoys reading when stressed and looking for a way to escape their problems.
They might also read when they have just gotten into an argument with someone or if they are in a bad mood.
● This type of reader often reads when tired or bored because it helps them relax.
The "I Read for Knowledge" Reader
This reader is looking for facts, information and ideas. They are typically interested in topics like science, history, and philosophy.
These readers are often more interested in books that are non-fiction (such as biographies or histories) than fiction.
They also like books containing many academic arguments or research studies (like books about politics).
The "I Love to Be Surprised by a Book" Reader
You like to be surprised by the books you read. You enjoy the element of surprise for readers because it allows you to be open-minded and experience something new.
You don’t mind if a book is predictable, but you prefer not to have everything spelled out for you. If a book is predictable, you may still enjoy reading it as long as there are some twists along the way.
You don't read too much nonfiction or memoirs because they don't always keep your attention.
Although there are exceptions (such as Tuesdays with Morrie), most people tend not to get very excited about memoirs unless they're written by celebrities or other famous people who we all know and love—and even then, we might need more than just our interest in these types of stories before getting hooked on them.
The "I Read Whatever's Popular" Reader
This type of reader is influenced by what's popular. They may also be affected by what their friends are reading, what the media is saying, or what their parents are reading.
If you're an "I Read Whatever's Popular" Reader:
● Make a list of your favorite books and authors, then compare them with your friends' lists.
What do you notice? Do they read more than you? Are the same authors on both lists? What books do they like that aren't on yours yet?
● Look at the book covers around your house—what genres do they fall into (romance, science fiction, nonfiction)? Are there many different genres represented in this small sampling?
The "I'm a Snob About What I Read" Reader
This reader loves to read, but only certain kinds of books. They’re picky about what they read, whether for personal taste or other reasons.
This reader has a book list in their head and will not deviate from it. So if you try to offer them something that isn’t on that list, they will politely decline—or just not listen.
This type of reader can be dangerous because they might look down on people who don’t share their same tastes as being less educated or intelligent than themselves. However, there is nothing wrong with having specific reading interests. Reading anything is better than reading nothing at all.
You might think this kind of snob would be judgmental about everything in life (e.g., how someone dresses), but luckily we have yet to meet one who cares about those things outside of reading material.
Conclusion
Reading is subjective, and there’s no right way to do it. However, if you want to get the most from your reading experience, it might be helpful to know what kind of reader you are.
If you're looking for recommendations on what books to read next, try asking a friend or family member for their suggestions—or even just browsing online.