By S Hutchinson | Posted: Wednesday September 17, 2025
From Rugby Fields to Red Carpets: Reading Happens Everywhere
Reading is a huge part of people's lives, even if we don't always think about it. While we might imagine readers as people cozying up with a novel and a cup of tea, the reality is that books are everywhere, and they're enjoyed by all kinds of people.
Take sports legends: former All Blacks captain Kieran Read once said he'd want to be buried with his copy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and NBA star LeBron James famously read The Hunger Games during the playoffs to help him focus before big games. You also have Hollywood actors who are dedicated readers: Chris Pine has said that he could always read any of the spy novels by John Le Carré. Timothée Chalamet read Dune three times out of real interest in Frank Herbert’s sci-fi world and Pedro Pascal has been seen reading Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, a world away from the sci-fi and fantasy roles he's known for.
A recent survey by Read NZ Te Pou Muramura, in collaboration with the National Library of New Zealand, offers a hopeful view of high school students' reading habits. Rather than a decline in reading, the research suggests a positive evolution in how young people engage with books. While some may not be picking up physical books as often, they are embracing new formats like e-books and audiobooks. Furthermore, social media platforms, often seen as distractions, are powerful tools for discovery, with students seeking and sharing book recommendations. On platforms like BookTok and Instagram, creators such as Jack Edwards and former NRL player Luke Bateman are reaching huge audiences, particularly with book recommendations for male readers. Here at our school, we have our own book club called Novel Approach. It's a great way to find out what new books are coming into the library and to connect with other students who love to read.
This shows that the core of reading, the desire to connect with stories and ideas, is alive and well, simply taking on a modern, digital form. This acceptance of diverse formats is fantastic, but we need to remember that reading physical books is a crucial skill for our day-to-day schoolwork, helping us to master everything from textbooks to structured essays. Next term, the library will be fully open during class and break times, providing the boys with ample opportunities to borrow from our full collection.
