reasons why people read...

People read because they:
want information
need information
want to be entertained
want to escape
can't help themselves and automatically read everything in sight
love the written word
enjoy literature

In application of and in addition to please consider this summary by Carol Gorman:

Carol Gorman's Top Ten reasons to Read, Read, Read!
1. Reading helps you become an interesting person. (Impress your friends, dates, and future in-laws!)
2. Reading helps you learn how to write correctly. (Get good grades, make your grandmother happy when she reads your well-written thank-you notes, and impress your future boss who'll promote you because you express yourself so well.)
3. Reading develops your imagination. (Write terrific stories for school, cook up funny ideas for friends, and maybe even earn big bucks writing screen plays for Hollywood!)
4. Reading entertains you. (No more long boring car rides, waits in the dentist's office, or too-long summer vacations when you can't think of anything to do.)
5. Reading teaches you about things unfamiliar to you. (Write A+ reports for school, impress your friends, and earn big prizes on TV game shows!)
6. Reading takes you to places you've never visited. (Read about actors on Broadway, bullfighters in Spain, and astronauts in space.)
7. Reading takes you to times you've never experienced. (Spend a week in Colonial times, or experience the burial ceremony of an Egyptian king, or learn what life was like when William Shakespeare was writing Romeo and Juliet.)
8. Reading introduces you to people you've never met. (Find out how the Amish live, or how a fireman in New York City spends his day, or what an NFL football player's practice is like.)
9. Reading introduces you to new ideas. (Learn about the beliefs of the world's religions, why some physicists believe that time is circular instead of linear, and how scientists speculate that our thoughts can influence the outcome of experiments.)
10. Reading is FUN! (Laugh out loud! Gasp in disbelief! Feel your heart beating in suspense!)

These are some reasons why people read:

1. Wanting information - Reading can provide knowledge and information on a wide range of topics, from history and science to current events and personal development.

2. Needing information - Sometimes, people read to gather information they need for work or for personal reasons, such as researching a health condition or learning a new skill.

3. Wanting to be entertained - Many people read for enjoyment, whether it's through novels, short stories, or poetry. It allows them to escape from reality and immerse themselves in a different world or experience.

4. Wanting to escape - Reading can provide a form of escapism, allowing people to temporarily forget about their own problems and concerns as they get lost in the story.

5. Automatic reading - Some people have a habit of automatically reading anything in sight, whether it's labels, signs, or even subtitles on TV shows. This can be a subconscious way of gathering information or simply a love for reading.

6. Loving the written word - Some individuals have a deep appreciation for the craft of writing and enjoy the beauty of language and storytelling found in written works.

7. Enjoying literature - Literature, including classics and renowned works of fiction and non-fiction, offers a unique reading experience that can educate, challenge, and inspire readers.

According to Carol Gorman's summary, reading also offers additional benefits:

1. Becoming an interesting person - Reading expands your knowledge and allows you to engage in conversations on various topics, making you more interesting to others.

2. Learning to write correctly - Reading well-written works can help improve one's writing skills, leading to better academic performance and effective communication in professional settings.

3. Developing imagination - Reading stimulates the imagination, allowing readers to create vivid mental images and sparking creative thinking.

4. Entertainment - Reading provides entertainment during dull moments, such as long car rides or waiting times, offering a source of enjoyment and engagement.

5. Learning about unfamiliar things - Reading exposes readers to new ideas, cultures, and perspectives, fostering a broader understanding of the world and enhancing educational performance.

6. Traveling to new places - Through books, readers can explore different locations and cultures, immersing themselves in unfamiliar settings and expanding their horizons.

7. Experiencing different time periods - Historical fiction and non-fiction books allow readers to travel back in time and gain insights into different eras and cultures.

8. Meeting new people - Biographies, memoirs, and novels introduce readers to a variety of characters and personalities, providing an opportunity to learn about different people's lives and experiences.

9. Exposing to new ideas - Reading exposes readers to various philosophies, beliefs, and scientific theories that expand their understanding of the world and challenge existing notions.

10. Having fun - Reading can be a source of pure enjoyment, invoking emotions such as laughter, surprise, and suspense, making it a fun and pleasurable activity.