Could you date someone who doesn't read?

chicklit · Post by **chicklit** » 22 Aug 2009, 01:35

I had to deal with that question once, and the thought of dating someone who didn't read gave me pause. Reading means a lot to me, so it's definitely a must have. I had other things in common with the guy I was dating at the time, both of us being news junkies, but my love for reading was something that I couldn't share with him. He didn't enjoy reading, and sometimes I got the feeling that he actually despised it (and my love for it).

mschris485 · Post by **mschris485** » 05 Sep 2009, 14:45

I don't think I could date someone who doesn't read. I understand that they may not like to read, but I am a book junkie and it may cut into time that I could be spending with them. My current boyfriend also reads quite a bit and understands that I love to read.He even supports my book habit as well as his own.

janiet · Post by **janiet** » 05 Sep 2009, 15:17

ABSOLUTELY NOT! Reading is not just a hobby for me, it's a way of life.

Woodland Nymph · Post by **Woodland Nymph** » 08 Sep 2009, 09:11

Hm, if I liked the guy enough I could probably at least try dating him for a while, despite the fact he doesn't read. However, I highly doubt it would last long. Books are one of the strongest structures of my character and my way of life; in the end I would have to be with someone who could relate to that...and I haven't found him yet!

Doc · Post by **Doc** » 09 Sep 2009, 00:12

I have dated plenty of people whom chose not to read. Although it can be frustrating when they do not understand references here and there it is no different than anything else you may partake in which they may not. If you find that someone not being an avid reader is an issue in a relationship it may in fact be that you are too one dimensional and may wish to look into the hobbies they do so that you have more to speak about.

icandoit · Post by **icandoit** » 15 Sep 2009, 22:51

i would care if could or could not read at the moment any thing would do so i could find him i can teach him asnd we can fall in love

selfer · Post by **selfer** » 15 Sep 2009, 23:37

hmmm... I think they'd have to be pretty amazing in some other respects. I don't even really like hanging out with people who never read. I think it's a personality thing. Readers tend to be more introspective, which tends to lead to more interesting conversations.

SenoraThrash · Post by **SenoraThrash** » 16 Sep 2009, 01:58

My husband doesn't read hardly anything. I usually have a bedside book, a work book, and a purse/backpack book. Although I can't have a discussion about books I do tell him about books and he does ask questions. Occasionally, I can get him to read biographies and anthologies about war. But him not being a reader hasn't hurt our relationship. He plays video games I read. It works out great. I get book recommendations from friends and talk with them. We still have lots of other things in common that we enjoy doing but I also get as much reading as I want to.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 16 Sep 2009, 04:44

What eletist nonsence .... vive la différence I say.

pondertheworld · Post by **pondertheworld** » 16 Sep 2009, 23:11

I don't see how someone reading or not would affect a human relationship. Everything boils down to mean much more than words on a page, amirite? Surely, you don't discuss just books with somebody. I know I discuss books at length with my darling, but also other things; in the end, it's his presence that really matters.

Laura · Post by **Laura** » 16 Sep 2009, 23:23

I think I could. I wouldn't be turned off by him not reading but he'd still have to be intelligent.

textbookonly · Post by **textbookonly** » 17 Sep 2009, 05:59

No ways! someone who cannot give time to books cannot not be my date.
I suppose he has lost some thing very important in life till now and must not waste time dating around. He should seriously get inside a shell to overcome the lost part of his life with lovely books. I feel that two people of different religions can go together better on a date than going out with the one who does not read.

perusaphone · Post by **perusaphone** » 19 Sep 2009, 08:27

It sounds basically the same as if your partner reads, but does not read the same books as you arguement. My wife is an avid reader as well as I, but her choice is nothing at all like mine, she works in a library and knows my choice well, so is forever coming back with new books for me to read. She has only been wrong twice as well, good for her I say. If she did not read, then our house would be devoid of interest I think. When some one visits, the conversation inevitably gets around to books as we have so many on show, so if my partner didn't read, the discussions would be one sided and stilted. Debate is an extremely healthy relationship stimulus that can lead to all manner of happenings......

Vault Dweller · Post by **Vault Dweller** » 24 Sep 2009, 22:13

I could, and I have. One girl that I dated was not much of a reader, but she had a lot of similar interests, so it was not a big deal. Luckily, my current girlfriend likes to read, AND her favorite is fantasy. I got lucky.

KreativeACT · Post by **KreativeACT** » 26 Sep 2009, 20:00

They would have to pick up at least some books once in awhile and read them. They don't have to have the same passion as me, but I don't think I could handle dating a person who doesn't read at all...