In a 2003 survey performed by The Jenkins Group, the conclusion was made that one-third of high schoolers never read a single book after their graduation. Reading habits tend to diminish and disappear around ages thirteen and fourteen, despite teachers assigning books from junior high through high school. This slump tends to stay with teenagers, even into adulthood. The Jenkins’ study also stated that, in 2003, 70 percent of adults hadn’t been in a bookstore for the previous five years.

  Low reading rates have a strong correlation with how readers perceive themselves and the productivity they believe is made by completing a book. This perception is often determined by high school reading tasks, and whether the books matched their interests.

  Research says that pleasure gained by reading is increased exponentially when students self-select books for certain classes compared to when a single, assigned book for an entire class is given.

  “I prefer to read separate books because each person picks a book that they like and fits their personality. Which allows the class to see a range of books instead of just one that half of the class probably doesn’t like,” Nick Mellinger, sophomore, said. As Haruki Murakami, a Japanese author, said, “If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”

  However, there are two sides to the coin. Jeremy Reed, sophomore at MHS, said, “Class books are better, in my opinion, because if I were to miss a day of school I can expect one of my classmates to get the job done. In a way, it’s sort of like a buddy system.”

  When teachers assign a single class book, students are given the chance to discuss the topic and story together. It can help them grasp the concepts and real-life connections while working together with an unofficial team. Assigning a book for the entire class can take the pressure off of students who miss classes due to illness or school activities, and give teachers the chance to make worksheets on the book.

  Despite preference for assigned or chosen books, reading is a crucial piece of high school education that teachers are trying to employ for student’s advantages later on in life.

source: http://mentalfloss.com/article/27590/who-reads-books