Could you date someone who doesn't read?

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TigamineReader28
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Re: Could you date someone who doesn't read?

Post by TigamineReader28 »

No. For me personally, I need a person who reads in my life. For instance, I have a friend that doesn't like reading -- AT ALL. They gather all of their information in the form of audio or visual. They actively avoid having to read. But as a result when we communicate by text, they are often misunderstandings over them not reading carefully. These misunderstandings range from amusing and humorous to downright frustrating and upsetting.

I take in much of the world around me in reading and I love to discuss that with others in word and in writing. All of my family are readers and thus I grew up in a family where I could relate to and communicate easily with them. My friend can't process reading over long periods of time and I spend time explaining what things means -- which is no reflection on their intelligence. But because reading and writing is how I comfortably communicate, it does change the kind of close friendship we have.

This is a disconnect that I can be ok with in friendship -- but as for a romantic relationship --it simply won't do. I require a person who has a love for reading. They needn't be an avid reader, but I couldn't survive with a person who doesn't read.
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PegR
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Post by PegR »

It's really about preferences. I've dated a guy who loved playing games and while he played, I read. But it's better when you can share hobbies and talk about many books.
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Carrise99+
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Post by Carrise99+ »

That is literally me and my partner! The good thing is he will listen to me rant about plot line and characters to no end
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nomnombooks
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Post by nomnombooks »

I think I could date someone who doesn't read, as long as they respect that it is one of my main hobbies and that I spend a lot of time on it. Maybe it could even be nice, if they are interested in the stories you read and you can tell them about it.
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Swat3737
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Post by Swat3737 »

I think it would be wonderful if my partner were an avid reader/bibliophile like myself but I have several friends who aren't readers and they still listen a little bit. And that's one of the reasons I like onlinebookclub is that I can write my thoughts about books here! One thing, I own so many books that any partner I have will just have to deal with that lol!
"One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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carlarsmendes
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Post by carlarsmendes »

I guess I could date someone who doen't read books but lots of articles, for example. or doesn't read literature. But for the long long run I think it would be a dealbreaker.
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isabel2302
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Post by isabel2302 »

I've dated someone who didn't read and refused to read any book I recommended, I've dated someone who didn't read and who I managed to turn into an avid reader, and I've dated someone who had grown up in the company of books and who nurtured and valued his reading habits. I must say the last relationship was the best experience out of the three, so I do have a tendency to value readers as potential date candidates before people who don't read, and - although this might sound wrong of me to say, and although I am aware that there are many other ways to enrich oneself other than reading - I do believe that when someone reads regularly, it just shows!
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Itskai88
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Post by Itskai88 »

i really don't mind personally, as long as i am left alone to read when i need to. we can find other interest to share.
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MichelleHite
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Post by MichelleHite »

Okay, so I was married to a man 32 years who rarely ever read anything much less a book. He emerged himself in his work he was self employed, hardworking and very smart. Cancer took his life 5 months ago, so if you would ask me if I would do it again I would have to say a resounding YES! Reading is not everything, but the person would have to care and be willing to learn new things.
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HershyGreenwood
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Post by HershyGreenwood »

I won't mind dating someone who doesn't read or enjoy reading...well, my current partner doesn't enjoy reading but what makes our relationship fun and interesting (especially for me) is that once I'm done reading a book, I have someone to share the story with...my partner loves stories and is curious about every piece of work I read and he absolutely enjoys listening to me talk about the books I read...so in a way it's perfect. I guess, I would however hate being in a relationship with someone who isn't curious or lacks imagination...
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Post by elderwand »

I could overlook him not being a reader if we mutually loved and trusted each other.
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Kristin Ransome
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Post by Kristin Ransome »

This was exactly my relationship for years, my boyfriend didn't enjoy reading but would always listen when I wanted to talk about books! He always made an effort to go to bookstores with me and would randomly buy and bring me books aha! It took a while but he eventually read Harry Potter and now he's hooked on reading!
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linham02660
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Post by linham02660 »

Nope, never, nada, not a chance in ..... :lol2:
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MTP
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Post by MTP »

yes I think I could, I'm not a very avid reader myself but I learned to love it, but I think I could be in a relationship with someone who doesn't read that much
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Rebecca1999
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Post by Rebecca1999 »

No. I could not, the reasoning behind my answer being that I can be found almost always with my nose in a book. If I am not reading I am thinking of my current or past books. I can't hold much of a conversation if its not of a book I have or haven't read.
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