Could you date someone who doesn't read?

Use this forum for book and reading discussion that doesn't fall into another category. Talk about books, genres, reading issues, general literature, and any other topic of particular interest to readers. If you want to start a thread about a specific book or a specific series, please do that in the section below this one.
Irene Sejas
Minimum Wage Millionaire Reader
Posts: 35
Joined: 13 Aug 2023, 00:00
Favorite Author: Holly Black
Currently Reading: The Atlas Paradox
Bookshelf Size: 20
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-irene-sejas.html
Latest Review: Just Die by E Alan Fleischauer
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
fav_author_id: 6143

Re: Could you date someone who doesn't read?

Post by Irene Sejas »

I guess that as long as they understand that I do read a lot, and value my reading time... I don't really care what other peole do on their free time as long as it's not something harmful of course. I can spend five hours on a row reading, if my partner chooses to spend those same five hours playing videogames or watching TV I don't really mind. There are so many other things to talk about (they'd still have to suffer my constant yapping about my current book though), as long as they have other hobbies that maybe we can do simultaneously, I'm pretty ok with it.
User avatar
Annika porter
Minimum Wage Millionaire Reader
Posts: 75
Joined: 18 Jul 2024, 11:05
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 43
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-annika-porter.html
Latest Review: The Solution is Political Revolution by Jillion R Rising

Post by Annika porter »

I would say yes, provided they have something else that they are passionate about and want to talk about. If they let me talk about my books and still have intellectual discussions with me I wouldn’t mind much. I love reading and books, but I have additional things I’m passionate about as well. If we have some common interests but books aren’t one of them, that would be okay with me. Plus, sometimes I think that dating someone who doesn’t read much is still sometimes better than dating someone who does but finding out they like bad books haha.
Preciosa Almeida
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 10
Joined: 10 Mar 2025, 08:11
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 5
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-preciosa-almeida.html
Latest Review: Speaks for Itself by Jeffrey Paul Bailey.

Post by Preciosa Almeida »

I actually think I could do that, taking in consideration you said someone who doesn’t read, not someone who hates books. And no, it’s not the same thing. If he doesn’t read, that means that this is a habit that he still could develop. And even if he doesn’t, if he was able to understand that is something that I love to do, specially on my spare time and also be willing to hear me rant about stories that make me excited, I would be completely ok with that. People are different, we are not going to be exactly the same, but if we’re able to respect, endure and love those differences will be fine.
Aisha Momoh 1
Posts: 1
Joined: 14 Jan 2025, 12:07
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 11

Post by Aisha Momoh 1 »

Yes, I can date someone who doesn't read. I'll hope he learns how to read from me. Right now, a lot of people are addicted to social media and hardly read books.
User avatar
Jenita Cottrell
Posts: 8
Joined: 13 Sep 2018, 06:28
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 13
2025 Reading Goal: 12
2025 Goal Completion: 108%

Post by Jenita Cottrell »

I am currently with a man who never reads, unless its an instruction manual. We have been together for 15 years. Sometimes I tell him about the books I read, but for the most part, I don't. We still have plenty to talk about and do TONS of stuff together. He works on things he likes and I read books as an escape from our realities and responsibilities. Everyone needs an outlet, but as long as the other person listens, it makes no difference what it is. That's just how I feel about it anyway.
Dora Oyana
Posts: 3
Joined: 18 Jun 2021, 02:50
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 7

Post by Dora Oyana »

I think people who read view the world 🌍 differently from those who don't. Im currently married to a man who doesn't like to read. I always have to explain why I'm 'overly' excited in an article.
User avatar
Danielle Leonardi
Minimum Wage Millionaire Reader
Posts: 46
Joined: 07 Jul 2024, 15:23
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 14
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-danielle-leonardi.html
Latest Review: Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper

Post by Danielle Leonardi »

I have, and in both instances it didn’t work out. Now I’m married to a man that reads mostly non-fiction. I think whether you’re a reader or not has a lot to do with the rest of your personality. I want to be with someone intellectual, interesting, open-minded, and down-to-earth. It may be circumstantial, but the non-readers I’ve met don’t seem to be all of the above. For that reason (besides the fact that I’m married) I would never date a non-reader again.
Christopher Mundi
Posts: 18
Joined: 25 Jan 2023, 14:14
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 24
2025 Reading Goal: 50
2025 Goal Completion: 0%

Post by Christopher Mundi »

couldn't control it as he moved from twenty feet away to fifteen to ten to three. The climax of this was when Harold and Lewey frantically tried to hide from the stranger, losing contact. Chapter two gives more depth to the narrative and presents the current situation of things in the lives of these old-time friends.
User avatar
Alexis Lauren
Minimum Wage Millionaire Reader
Posts: 2
Joined: 09 May 2023, 15:25
Favorite Author: Sarah J. Maas
Currently Reading: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Bookshelf Size: 19
fav_author_id: 2719
2025 Reading Goal: 50
2025 Goal Completion: 26%

Post by Alexis Lauren »

I date someone who doesn't read currently and it's challenging. After I finish a book and I'm still emotionally charged, he just doesn't understand why I have such a strong reaction to words on a page. It does make it a little tricky when it comes to me meeting my reading goals, I don't have someone pushing me to read. Though, it's not too bad! I try to think on the bright side. No one's taking my books, dog earing the pages or getting coffee rings on the cover - For that I'm grateful.
greeneyedgirl27
In It Together VIP
Posts: 87
Joined: 11 Jun 2015, 17:40
Favorite Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 67
fav_author_id: 7010

Post by greeneyedgirl27 »

Yes my late husband didn't read much except maybe a newspaper. He always supported me reading. He bought me a kindle because he knew how much I loved to read. He always bought me books and audibles. He also would listen to me talk about what I was reading. I would complain about a character or cliffhanger ending and he would laugh and console me. So yes it can be done as long as your loved one supports your reading and loves how you read to relax and enjoy the experience.
Joanna Perry
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 98
Joined: 03 May 2023, 18:22
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 132
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-joanna-perry.html
Latest Review: Almost Mortal by Christopher Leibig

Post by Joanna Perry »

I have friends who don't read often. They have other interests in common with me so we are able to maintain friendships. I could have a romantic relationship with someone who doesn't read books because I am sure we would have other interests in common.
User avatar
Rebecca Graf Kayne
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 20
Joined: 23 Mar 2025, 19:21
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 6
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-rebecca-graf-kayne.html
Latest Review: Bugs, Weeds, and Water by Evangeline Greene

Post by Rebecca Graf Kayne »

I married a non-reader, and it hasn't been a problem at all in our relationship. His idea of reading is listening to audiobooks while he falls asleep at night, which is usually about 5 minutes in. So he "reads" probably 2-3 books per year. I often read that many in a week.
I have a book club where I talk about books, and my sister in law is also an avid reader, so that's where I take my book discussions. My husband is also open to hearing interesting things in the books I read, so sometimes we'll discuss ideas that come up that way.

We have other things we enjoy together, and I don't think he needs to enjoy everything I do. I don't enjoy watching basketball or football with him- but it's a perfect time to snuggle up next to him with a book.

So maybe for some this is a deal breaker, but it's not for me.
User avatar
Renan Pereira
Posts: 7
Joined: 02 Apr 2025, 23:07
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 0
2025 Reading Goal: 10
2025 Goal Completion: 10%

Post by Renan Pereira »

Yup. I surely would.
User avatar
Odikpa Theophilus Otega IV
Posts: 19
Joined: 01 Apr 2025, 10:28
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 18

Post by Odikpa Theophilus Otega IV »

I’m currently dating someone who never reads. We found common interest in film. I guess to have a dealbreaker on whether someone is or is not a reader, it would have to be extremely important to you. I respect that. A relationship is usually based on mutual interests so I’m sure I would not be in a relationship with my current partner if we didn’t share some interest other than reading.
User avatar
Catherine Sweet
Minimum Wage Millionaire Reader
Posts: 268
Joined: 21 Sep 2024, 15:48
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 79
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-catherine-sweet.html
Latest Review: Dear Heroin by Linda Morrison

Post by Catherine Sweet »

I love reading, but I have dated people who don't read. I dated one man who had never read a book in his life. I gave him the Adrian Mole book as an easy book to start with. He read that and enjoyed it, but then didn't read anything else!
Post Reply

Return to “General Book & Reading Discussion”