In an era dominated by digital devices, it remains possible to spot individuals whoChoose to engage with printed books in public spaces. Recent observations across several settings, including libraries, cafes, and transit hubs, reveal that while many people use laptops and smartphones, some continue to find value in traditional reading.
At Meridian Hill Park in Washington, D.C., 25-year-old Ella Peels was seen reading Jhumpa Lahiri’s short story collection "Interpreter of Maladies." Peels, who graduated from St. John’s College in Annapolis in 2023, described a transition from the rigorous “Great Books” program she completed—covering philosophers like David Hume and writers such as Virginia Woolf—to more personal reading choices. “Now that I’ve graduated, I get to read whatever I want, and it’s so freeing,” she said. Peels, who recently moved to D.C. with her electrician husband and their toddler, plans to apply to law schools in the area or California.
On a Washington Metro train, 20-year-old Arnel Cruz read a Spanish-language edition of George Orwell’s "1984." Cruz emigrated from El Salvador at age 16 and shifted careers from construction to cooking. His recent reading selections have been influenced by social media platforms like Instagram, where he discovered books including "Solito" by Javier Zamora, which left a strong emotional impression. Cruz outlined future plans to read "Noches Blancas" by Fiódor Dostoevsky and Albert Camus’ "El Extranjero," citing continued inspiration from online book discussions.
In Bethesda, Maryland, 34-year-old Emma Heuges multitasked between work shifts at a hair salon and reading Siddhartha Mukherjee’s "The Gene: An Intimate History." Heuges revealed she is educating herself about a recent medical diagnosis through the book to prepare for specialist consultations. Alongside her interest in medical science and government policy—fields connected to her background in psychology—Heuges also enjoys escapism through fantasy literature. She cited authors Sable Sorensen and Aria Ashbrook as current favorites and noted that her reading habits were supported by her husband’s enthusiasm for history and political topics, which they explore together via online lectures.
These encounters highlight varied reading habits tied to personal circumstances and intellectual curiosity. Readers expressed a preference for physical books over digital formats, citing tactile comfort and note-taking benefits, and shared the role that community resources such as Little Free Libraries, thrift stores, and social media play in their literary lives. While public spaces may increasingly be populated by screen users, individuals like Peels, Cruz, and Heuges demonstrate that printed books continue to engage readers across generations and backgrounds.