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A community-driven social campaign exploring why we return to books in a world of digital noise and modern cultural pressures.
Why We Read exists to bring awareness to the National Reading Year by celebrating reading as a human, lifelong experience. Our mission is to spotlight real people, across ages, backgrounds, and reading journeys, and share honest stories about why reading matters to them. In a time when reading is often framed as productivity, performance, or aesthetic, we want to make it feel accessible again. We believe reading doesn’t need rules, goals, or regulations — only connection.
What We Share
Bite-sized visual stories capturing why people read to share on social media.
In-depth chats with readers from all walks of life, exploring their unique experiences.
Diverse narratives that share the magic of reading through the written word.
How does reading shape a life?
In this interview, Jackie Garcia-Morales, co-founder of The Why We Read Project, sits down with award-winning author Shifa Saltagi Safadi @shifasaltagisafadi to talk about reading as a gateway to education, identity, and connection.
From her experience as an ESL student after immigrating from Syria to her work as an author and educator, Shifa shares how reading helped unlock learning, language, and opportunity. Together, they explore why reading still matters in 2026, how it builds empathy and joy, and how to approach reading with grace in busy lives.
They also discuss accessible and economical ways to read, including tools like Libby @libby.app, and the importance of Muslim representation in children’s books.
At The Why We Read Project, we believe reading is a human, lifelong experience. No rules. No pressure. Just connection.
Join the reading movement. Share your story. Inspire someone to read: Visit thewhywereadproject.com (Link in Bio!)
Shifa is the award-winning author of KAREEM IN BETWEEN, AMINA BANANA, and so many other powerful titles. Support her at shifasafadi.com/. @putnambooks @penguinkids
Hot take: fanfiction counts as reading!
Actually… not even a hot take.
It’s still storytelling.
It’s still imagination.
It’s still emotional connection to characters and worlds.
And for a lot of people, fanfic is what got them into reading in the first place — or what brought them back to it.
At Why We Read, we believe reading doesn’t have rules.
Audiobooks count.
Graphic novels count.
And yes — fanfiction counts too.
If it made you feel something, it counts.
Let’s talk 👇
Did fanfics play a role in your reading journey?
#WhyWeRead #Fanfiction #ReadingCommunity #BookTok #ReadersOfInstagram
Reader spotlight 📚
Today we’re featuring a reflection from Nino Todua @ninnia_n , a literature graduate based in Brooklyn, New York, whose relationship with reading is deeply emotional, philosophical, and personal.
One line from her reflection that stayed with us:
“…I believe we all read because reading satisfies an intellectual hunger.”
For Nino, reading is more than just a habit — it’s a way of understanding herself, exploring different dimensions of life, and finding meaning, comfort, and inspiration through stories.
She describes reading as something that can transport you beyond your physical reality — into different minds, emotions, and worlds — offering both escape and deeper self-awareness at the same time.
We’ve shared just a small moment from her reflection here, but her full piece dives into the emotional, almost spiritual connection she has with literature.
You can read the full reflection on our blog ✨
And as always, we’ll ask you:
Why do you read?
#WhyWeRead #ReadingCommunity #ReadersOfInstagram #BookCulture #Literature LiteraryCommunity
Reader spotlight 📚
Today we’re featuring Rachel Levy Sarfin, a content writer, editor, and ghostwriter based in Toronto, Canada.
When we asked her why she reads, her answer was simple and honest:
“Fiction takes me to other places. Non-fiction educates me. The right book makes everything better.”
For Rachel, reading has always been part of her life — something that both expands her perspective and offers comfort at the same time.
It’s a reminder that reading doesn’t have to serve just one purpose. It can be escape, education, and everything in between.
And we’ll ask you the same:
Why do you read?
#WhyWeRead #ReadingCommunity #ReadersOfInstagram #BookCulture #TorontoCreatives Literacy
Reader spotlight 📚
Today we’re featuring Claris Lam, a fiction and poetry writer based in Waterloo, Canada, whose work is rooted in perseverance, creativity, and hope.
When we asked Claris why she reads, her answer really stayed with us:
“I read to understand other perspectives, to inspire myself creatively, and sometimes to escape… those stories give me the courage to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult things feel.”
For Claris, reading is more than just a habit — it’s a mix of education, comfort, and inspiration. It’s something that helps her grow as both a person and a writer, while also offering a sense of escape when life feels overwhelming.
We’ve highlighted just a small part of her reflection here, but her full interview dives into everything from reading in a fast-scrolling world to why everyone is a reader (even if they don’t think they are).
You can read the full reflection on our blog ✨
Follow Claris → @clarislamauthor
And as always, we’ll ask you the same question:
Why do you read?
#WhyWeRead #ReadingCommunity #WritersOfInstagram #BookCulture #ReadersOfInstagram Literacy
Sneak peek from our upcoming interview 👀📚
We recently sat down with Amanda Romanick, children’s book illustrator, reader, and mom, to talk about why reading has stayed such an important part of her life.
In our conversation, Amanda shares how books like Little Golden Books, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Bridge to Terabithia helped shape her love of reading from childhood — something she’s now passing on to her son.
One of the things she said that really stayed with us:
“Reading is intimate.”
She also reminds us that getting back into reading doesn’t have to come with pressure. Start small. Pick something you genuinely enjoy. Graphic novels, picture books, short stories — it all counts. Reading, as Amanda says, is a muscle, and it’s okay to build it slowly.
The full conversation is coming soon to our YouTube channel, where Amanda shares more about reading, creativity, and the emotional experience of stepping into a story.
Follow Amanda here → @amanda.romanick
and keep an eye out for the full interview dropping soon.
And while we’re here…
Why do you read?
#WhyWeRead #ReadersOfInstagram #BookCommunity #ChildrensBooks #Literacy ReadingCulture
Reader spotlight! @doriansbooks
Today we’re featuring Bethan Richards, a Marketing Assistant at Joffe Books based in Hampshire, UK, who joined our project to reflect on a simple question:
Why do you read?
For Bethan, reading is deeply tied to empathy and connection. Through books, she describes being able to step into perspectives far removed from her own and recognize how many emotions, fears, and hopes are shared across different experiences. It’s a reminder that many of the things we carry quietly are rarely unique — somewhere, someone has felt them too and has found the words for them.
In her interview, Bethan also talks about how her reading routine fits into everyday life, how BookTok has influenced the way she discovers books, and how working in publishing has given her a deeper appreciation for the work behind every story.
We highlighted a few moments from her reflection in this post, but you can read the full interview on our website.
And of course, we want to ask you the same question:
Why do you read?
#WhyWeRead #ReadingCommunity #ReadersOfInstagram #BookCulture #Literacy
We’re officially live!
Why do YOU read? 📚
Not what you read.
Not how many books you finish in a year.
Just why.
We’re Daria and Jackie, the co-founders of Why We Read — a storytelling initiative created in honor of the National Year of Reading.
Through interviews, self-recorded videos, and written reflections, we’re collecting real stories from readers, authors, educators, and anyone whose relationship with books has evolved over time.
This clip is from one of our first conversations recorded for the project, and it captures the heart of what we’re exploring.
Because most of us read out of habit, curiosity, comfort, or escape… but rarely stop to ask why.
Understanding your why can completely change how you approach reading, and what you get from it.
You’ll find conversations like this here, on Instagram, on TikTok, on YouTube, and on our website as the project grows.
And if you’d like to share your own story, you can join the project through the link in our bio.
So tell us:
Why do you read?
Drop it in the comments 👇
#WhyWeRead #NationalReadingYear #ReadingCommunity #BookCulture #ReadersOfInstagram
What is the National Year of Reading — and why does it matter right now?
In 2026, the UK launched the National Year of Reading @go_all_in_2026 , a nationwide campaign led by the Department for Education in partnership with the National Literacy Trust and other literacy organizations. The goal is simple but powerful: to reignite reading for pleasure and remind people that books are not just academic tools, they are part of everyday life.
The campaign responds to a real shift. Across age groups, reading for pleasure has declined. Distraction is constant. Attention is fragmented. The way we consume stories has changed.
But the solution is participation.
We’re deeply inspired by the National Year of Reading and the work being done in the UK, and we believe this conversation shouldn’t stop at borders.
That’s why we created this project.
Through interviews, short-form videos, and written reflections, we’re asking one simple question:
Why do you read?
Not what you read.
Not how many books you finish.
Not your yearly goal.
Just why.
Reading is not a test. It’s a relationship. It evolves. It disappears. It returns. It comforts. It challenges. It connects us.
You’ll find conversations here on Instagram, on TikTok, on YouTube, and on our website — each platform building part of the story.
If reading has ever meant something to you, or if you want it to again, you belong here.
Join the conversation through the link in our bio.
#NationalYearOfReading #WhyWeRead #ReadingCommunity #Literacy #BookCulture
Welcome to Why We Read! 📚
We’re Daria Ershova (@dashaers) and Jackie Garcia Morales (@nieveesol), co-founders of this project and lifelong readers who believe books shape more than shelves, they shape people.
Why We Read is a community-driven storytelling initiative created in honor of the National Reading Year.
We started this project because reading is often framed as productivity, performance, or aesthetic. We believe it’s something far more personal.
At the heart of this initiative is one simple question:
Why do you read?
Not what you read.
Not how many books you finish.
Just why.
Our mission is to spotlight real people: across ages, backgrounds, and reading journeys — and share honest reflections about what reading means in their lives. We want to make reading feel accessible again. Every genre counts. Audiobooks count. Starting late counts. Coming back counts.
Through short-form interviews, self-recorded videos, written reflections, and long-form conversations, we’re building a growing archive of lived experiences with books.
You’ll find conversations here on Instagram, on TikTok, on YouTube, and on our website — each platform sharing different pieces of the story.
This space is for:
• lifelong readers
• people rediscovering books
• authors and educators
• anyone whose relationship with reading has changed
If reading has ever meant something to you, or if you want it to again, you belong here.
You can participate, collaborate, or follow along through the link in our bio.
We’re so glad you’re here.
Get Involved
Be a part of the movement
Are you an author, illustrator, or publicist? Share an ARC or finished book and we will help coordinate a giveaway so it reaches someone who needs it. Teachers, parents, and readers with books to pass forward are also welcome to participate.
You can contribute via a heartfelt guest blog or a written interview.
Want to join in on your own time? Create a reel or long-form video sharing why you read using our self-interview guide.
We welcome proposals from companies and individuals who are seeking to build a meaningful message on why we read together.
Stories, conversations, and moments that matter
What We Share
The Interviews
Your Chapter Starts Here
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The Team
Founders
Jackie Garcia Morales
Author & Publishing Professional.
Writer, podcaster, and creative working at the intersection of culture, storytelling, and community.
Daria Ershova
Co-Founder & Creative Storyteller
Also please include this in the section About Daria: Co-Founders info: Daria Ershova Daria is a creative storyteller who genuinely lives and breathes books. She has spent the past seven years working in digital marketing, and last year slowly transitioned into freelance publishing and PR for authors. She has had the pleasure of working with multiple authors across different genres, helping bring their stories into the world. At her core, Daria believes reading isn’t about productivity or performance, it’s about connection and gaining a new little world to live in, with every page turned. Through social storytelling and collaborative projects, she explores how books shape identity, build community, and stay with us long after we read the final chapter. Her favorite genre? The kind that makes her sob at 3am instead of going to bed. Fun fact: she has three tattoos inspired by her favorite books, so yes, she takes reading personally. When she’s not working on book-related projects, you’ll find her reading (of course), practicing yoga, hiking, or training for a 10K she recently signed up for (wish her luck)