The Human Experience: Why Every Page Matters in 2026

In honor of the National Year of Reading, we sat down with local storyteller Thomas Rein to discuss why reading feels more important now than ever.

Q: Why is the ‘Why We Read’ project important to you? Thomas: “Because we’ve started treating books like home decor or status symbols. This project reminds us that reading is a human, raw, and lifelong experience. It’s about the stories that make us sob at 3 AM.”

Q: What would you say to someone who thinks they aren’t a reader? Thomas: “I’d tell them they just haven’t found the right door yet. Whether it’s an audiobook, a graphic novel, or a 900-page epic—if it moves you, you are a reader.”