Gen Z has significantly reshaped the reading culture of today. Reading has transformed from a solitary activity into a trend, with old bookstores experiencing a resurgence, an overwhelming influx of online reading recommendations, and novels becoming common sights on public transport and in everyday spaces. Book clubs have also flourished, creating a sense of revival in the literary world. But did Gen Z truly engage in reading, or was it just performative?
Reading as an Identity
Reading today is no longer something you do—it has evolved into something you are. Books now serve as signals of intelligence, depth, taste, and personality. Trends like “books to read if your personality is dark academia” or being a “romantasy girl” have reduced individuals to identities while simultaneously constructing a sense of self. Instagram culture has amplified this phenomenon, where the after-effect of reading often overshadows the content of the book itself. Books that “destroyed” you or left you crying have become more significant markers than their literary merit.
Bookshelf and Bookstores as a Visual Personality
Curated bookshelves and aesthetically pleasing setups have flooded social media feeds, serving as markers of identity. The cozy arrangements of books paired with coffee and candles have transformed reading into a visually appealing experience rather than a simple act. The purpose of the books you read might not just be about gaining knowledge but also about decorating your space and adding an aesthetic element. Running your fingers across a bookshelf and posting it on social media has become more about capturing a moment than enjoying quiet solitude.
Goodreads and the Currency of Cultural Capital
Goodreads was initially designed as a space for readers to log what they read, reflect on their thoughts, and share their feelings. However, over time, it has morphed into a scoreboard where achievements like “I completed 52 books this year” are used to measure intellectual capability. The “books I want to read this summer” list often includes titles like Dostoevsky, Camus, and Kafka, not out of genuine interest but to project an image of being deep and literary. As a result, Goodreads has shifted from being a reading tracker to a cultural portfolio.
The Aesthetics of Annotation
With books and reading being increasingly romanticized and aestheticized, the stationery industry has also benefited. The days of simple underlines indicating that you were reading are long gone. Now, the act of annotating a book has become as important as its interpretation. Color-coded tabs, pastel sticky notes, and journal-like margins transform the page into a visually appealing space. The focus is no longer solely on understanding the text but also on how that understanding looks. Messy, evolving annotations have become a stage rather than just an interpretive space.
The Algorithmic Reward
The algorithm cannot measure comprehension, depth, or critical thinking. Instead, it rewards aesthetics, consistency, and engagement. Social media tends to favor posts about books that look good rather than those that are genuinely insightful. It rewards the appearance of reading over the actual act. Additionally, it has created a monoculture of pre-approved “must-reads” that are circulated widely. You are no longer discovering books—you are being handed pre-vetted selections by the algorithm.
The Question of What Counts as Reading
The question is not whether Gen Z reads or has revived the culture of reading. It is about what counts as reading and what does not in today’s world. It is about redefining the meaning of reading in a society that is hyper-focused on money and display. If a book is read in solitude but never shared, does it count?
