What the world’s most bookish countries can teach us about reading
If you want to read more or better, maybe the answer isn’t just "more discipline" or "less Netflix”.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s about how you bring books into your life.
Around the world, some countries have turned reading into something bigger than a hobby.
It’s a celebration, a habit, even a way of life. Here's what we can learn from some of the most book-loving nations on the planet.
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Iceland: Where Everyone Is Basically an Author
In Iceland, there's a saying: "Ad ganga med bok I maganum” which means "Everyone has a book in their belly".
This tiny country publishes more books per capita than anywhere else in the world.
And every Christmas, there's something magical called Jólabókaflóð, or "The Christmas Book Flood". The tradition? You gift books to your loved ones on Christmas Eve... and spend the night reading.
Lesson from Iceland: Make books part of your celebrations. Reading isn’t homework—it’s a gift you give to yourself and others.
Japan: Simple moments, great reading
Japan has one of the highest literacy rates in the world, but what’s really fascinating is how they read.
You'll see people reading everywhere — on the train, in cafés, waiting for appointments.
Reading isn't locked away for “free time”; it’s part of daily life.
Plus, Japan popularized manga, a format that blends visuals and storytelling, opening the door for millions of readers who might not have fallen in love with traditional books.
Lesson from Japan: Reading doesn’t have to be a grand event. Sneak it into your everyday life. Five minutes here, ten minutes there — it all adds up.
Colombia: Libraries on horses (and donkeys!)
In rural Colombia, where access to books is limited, a man named Luis Soriano turned two donkeys into Biblioburros — traveling libraries bringing books to children in remote villages.
And it’s not just Luis. Across Colombia, there are Bibliotecas Itinerantes — mobile libraries that show how reading can reach anyone, anywhere, if we care enough to bring the books to them.
Lesson from Colombia: Books are meant to be shared. Take them where they’re needed most. Reading is not just personal growth — it’s community growth.
