Shannon Reed’s Why We Read is a lighthearted and thoughtful celebration of what it means to be a lifelong, capital-R Reader. Each essay is titled with a new reason for why we read, but the contents serve as Reed’s personal reflections, making the book feel both personal and relatable. In sharing her own experiences, she naturally answers the broader question of why we read, showing how books shape, entertain, and expand our worldviews.

One of the standout essays discusses the (honestly somewhat controversial, these days) idea of letting people read what they enjoy rather than using books as a status symbol or an act of ego. Reed strips away the pretentiousness often attached to literature, embracing reading as both a tool and a joy—one that can educate just as much as it can provide pleasure. As an avid reader myself, I saw so much of my own experiences reflected in her words, particularly in how she writes about reading as a kid - I ran circles around my classmates in the Pizza Hut challenge.  I was surprised by some of the criticism about her style because I found it engaging and approachable. It was refreshing to read about reading from the perspective of a literary professor who doesn’t just harp on the classics. Ultimately, Why We Read is a warm, inviting book that celebrates the simple, but profound joy of being a reader.