Don’t Judge Me, I’m Reading

The Reader’s Edge | Charlie Samways | October 18, 2026 |

Something interesting came out of the Booker Prize 2026 shortlist livestream that landed on my algorithm this week.

Mary Beard, the Chair of the Booker Prize 2026 judging panel, made a comment that at first left me feeling agitated. 

But as I listened to the point in full, I realised that there was something more behind her words.

The comment that caught my attention was a dislike of the phrase ‘I really love reading’. My initial take was that this could land as dismissive.

It reminded me of a teacher I had when I was around thirteen, who took real issue with the popularity of the Harry Potter series. They would drop in subtle comments about how the writing was poor and it would be a far better use of time to read some of the classics.

In my opinion, every bit of reading in an age where distraction is so easy to find, should be celebrated.

Thankfully there was more to what Beard was looking to say, which in essence was that reading is more essential now than ever before. To relegate reading to the wellbeing section of our lives would be a huge error.

The comments continued to summarise that reading is not always about leaving a book feeling wonderful. Not every book will make you feel better, but books will make you see the world differently.

I can relate to this entirely. I went from reading primarily murder mysteries where you were pulled along by a whodunnit that you just had to find out the answers to. To a balanced reading life, with books like When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi or American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins, where the trauma resonates in the days and weeks that follow.

My path towards books that challenged me started on a road where I would have talked about really loving reading.

No matter how well intentioned, an approach that can sound dismissive of reading for fun may alienate an audience that just want to enjoy a good book. But within that same group, with gentle lessons applied, there may be the early signs of a bookworm looking to grow their reading.

It’s hard to know how the me of ten years ago, just starting out on a reading journey would have felt watching this clip. I’m thankful that time has brought me naturally to this point where I can see the other side and understand why we need reading now more than ever.

The wellbeing benefits are real and any enjoyable reading earns them, but the deeper change Beard describes tends to come later, and reading for fun is how most of us get there. 

It Doesn’t Matter What You Read

Whether your form of reading for pleasure is a Heartstopper graphic novel, or diving into the work of Dostoevsky, there are huge benefits to be gained.

A review published in Psychological Medicine linked reading for pleasure with better mental health, greater empathy, and a lower risk of dementia.

Who doesn’t want all of these great benefits?!

The greatest argument to come out of this research is that it doesn’t matter what or how you read. You increase your likelihood of obtaining these benefits, as long as you are reading for enjoyment.

This week’s newsletter isn’t about tricks or tips to read more, but instead encouraging you to not feel down if you’ve ever felt like you should be reading more classics, or something critically acclaimed.

Back in June I read Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, and it wasn’t for me. There’s no shame in the fact that my next read was The Spy Coast by Tess Gerritsen, a cosy spy thriller, and I enjoyed it far more. 

After many years of struggling to read books that I was told I should be reading, my reading habit finally stuck when I shamelessly read what I wanted to.

I do agree that greater emphasis should go onto the benefits of reading, but we will all do well to remember that the key is to get people reading. Not judging how or what they read.

This Week’s Question

Have you ever felt judged for a book you’ve read? If you have I’d love to hear what it was, and why you chose it. Trust me, there’s no judgment from me.

Reply to me at hello@charliesamways.com. I read every one.

From The Channel This Week

I’m passionate about getting more people reading, and that extends to great e-reader devices we can use. As a Kindle-lover, this week I’ve shared my major disappointment at the latest Basic Kindle, and explained exactly why I think Amazon have missed an opportunity.

Amazon, what were you thinking with this new Kindle?!

If you haven’t already, keep an eye on my free resources page. You’ll find the Reading Tracker that helps books stick, plus a Free Kindle Guide and notes from some of my favourite non-fiction books. Available to all website members.

Wishing you all the best this week, and shamelessly picking the books that you want to read.

Catch up next week,

Charlie