Could you date someone who doesn't read?

[ferretbait]

If my bf likes to read then he does it when noone is watching because I've never seen him read anything besides a magazine. I really don't think it makes a difference unless he makes a big deal about me reading.

[Avid Reader]

I can't imagine a keen reader being truly happy with someone who doesn't, even if you don't have the same taste in books. My wife and I often read books the other has recommended and feel closer as a result of our appreciation of the written word.

[ferretbait]

Well my thoughts are that if you can't find anything else to talk about and have in common with one another, other than a book or reading the same genre than there are bigger issues than the reading. I didn't fall for my bf because of a book and I seriously doubt that I would stop because he didn't pick up something other than the poptart microwave instuctions.

[rjolion]

I'm currently dating someone who doesn't read. I don't find it a problem. That's what book clubs like these are for. She watches movies that we can talk about and there are plenty of other things in life beyond reading. I'm a great believer that getting out a doing things is better than reading about them in a book. It's important to have your own individual experiences to talk about.

Yes it would be great if she read, but the world has many other wonders.

[DavidB52]

Whether a person reads or not has never come up in the first few dates when I started dating a new person.

Although, now that I think about it, being physically active probably rates higher for me. I don't think I could get serious with anybody who was a lump--who just sits there and does nothing but read. I like people who have a passion for life and like to be out there doing things. If a person does nothing but read, they aren't really sharing all this knowledge they are gaining, are they? They aren't teaching, being politicians, interacting with others, etc. All this knowledge they gain from the books they read just sits there with them as they lock themselves in a room behind one book after another.

Although, I would like a date to be literate and have some knowledge of books or works of literature that I might mention in a conversation. They don't have to know all of Shakespeare's works, but they should at least know that the line "To be or not to be" comes from Hamlet. Hopefully, they have more life experience than simply flitting from one party to another, snapping their bubble-gum, giggling, and twirling their hair.

- - -

Coincidentally, I recently came across a dating site aimed specifically at readers seeking to date other readers:

Alikewise.com

I haven't checked it out myself, but for booklovers seeking other booklovers, this site's theme makes me think it might be a good place to check out.

[Fran]

@DavidB52
I would like to quote Milton 'They also serve who only stand and wait'

[Murphym]

I have been with my partner for years and in this time he has only read 1 book but it doesn't matter to me as he takes an interest in it for me as I do for him and his hobbies.
I wouldn't start playing footy with him on a Sunday just so we can talk about, we can talke about books and football without having to join in.

[matthewarnold]

it relay a fantastic question .i too had similar story with my girl friend in college we met in a library and she was reading romeo and Juliet .its seems so romantic i help her to took up the book from the library .the librarian is so strict but i was convenience him to gave the book for two weeks to her.

[Lovelace]

My husband doesn't read, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. As reading is something you usually do alone i don't think it matters at all if your partner doesn't share your passion. We all have different hobbies, being supportive of each other is what counts not whether or not they join in. My husband doesn't read himself but he does buy me books so thats him being supportive. He plays ice hockey, i don't but i do go and watch him play so thats me doing my supportive bit!

[kellydouglas]

YEs i can, if he dnt want to read book that depends on him.

[Freethinker]

No! I am married and my husband and myself are both big readers. I love it when we curl up together and read our books together quietly. If he was the sort of person who constantly wanted the TV on I'd go mad. Funnily enough, we read very different genres but we share a passion for reading which is perfect on holiday, for example, when you both can just chill by the pool all week, book in hand. Bliss!

[utopiadream]

I tried dating someone who does not read and it was not a good experience, at first I juts thought that I'll give it a try but then I realized that we would not have anything to discuss, gimme a break I can;t just go on talking about daily TV shows, so we parted ways..

[primrose777]

I married someone who doesn't read and have been happily so for 19 years. Reading and collecting books is a passion for me but as a couple we share many interests which we are passionate about. We are all different and quite often, opposites attract.

[kbjones24]

I never thought I would be able to, but now I think I could as long as they understood that I love reading and they give me time to do so.

[Nettan0512]

My husband does not read at all and I don't think he ever will. I think this is sad since reading opens you up to another world. I never get bored!! When I do not know what to do I just get my book out and the time spent reading is very precious to me.
My husband does not mind me reading although I do feel guilty sometimes. He is a very nervous person and things have to happen constantly. Reading would be a good thing for him. Apart from that we discuss other things than litterature, so living with a non reader is absolutely possible.