Interpretations of Interruptions in Leisure Reading: A Study of Finnish Readers

The analysis examines how self-identified book readers understand and reflect on their experience of not reading for pleasure for a distinct period of time during their life course. While prior research has identified diverse meanings of leisure reading among avid readers, studies on the fluctuations of reading have thus far been scarce. The study contributes to the cultural sociology of reading, adding to current knowledge on reading books from the viewpoint of those relating to a community of readers. The datasets consist of open-ended responses by Finnish adult readers who participated in an online survey in 2021. Applying thematic analysis, the study produces two types of results. First, the analysis of the reasons for nonreading reveals a wide range of situations, including everyday responsibilities and hardships, active prioritisation and gradual adaptation to one’s social surroundings. Second, the analysis of the readers’ reflections shows that the approaches to the periods of nonreading vary considerably, yielding from strong negativity to nonchalant neutrality. The respondents emphasise their attachment to the social world of book readers by focusing on the personal importance of reading and their reader identities. On the other hand, the periods of nonreading are considered natural, which underlines the readers’ trusting attitudes provided by their past experiences. Further, bookish resources orient the readers towards the world of reading and point to the embodied and symbolic nature of books and reading. Both the reasons for and meanings assigned to nonreading periods involve individual viewpoint and negotiation regarding sociocultural norms.