How healthy is your reading diet?

Today we want to think about how balanced your reading diet is. Just like your diet, you can get stuck indulging in "junk food reading" or feel like you only read "the fruits and veggies" when forced. Below is a quick way to think about this balance.

Which best captures what you tend to read:

fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, poetry, plays

fiction and non-fiction

fiction only

non-fiction only

graphic novels (manga, etc.) only

poetry only

plays only

not books--only articles or other online reading

When you read fiction, which best describes what you read:

young adult novels, best sellers, and classics

young adult novels and best sellers

best sellers and classics

young adult novels and classics

young adult novels only

best sellers only

classics only

How would you describe the difficulty of the books you tend to choose:

I choose the easiest read (what I can read quickly) even if it's a younger book

I choose what seems like my grade level or what my peers read

I choose intentionally difficult books to challenge myself

Which best describes your reading genre preference:

I usually stick to 1-2 genres I know well and read widely or deeply there

I usually bounce around and try new genres

I don't really have a genre preference or think much about genres when I read

Which best describes your reading volume:

I'm always reading and probably read more than one book each month

I read when I can, sometimes outside of class

I read when I have to (in class or for assignments)

I sometimes read when I have to, and sometimes find ways around it

I do not read

Gourmet Reader

You're reading diet is well-balanced. You strive for a variety of challenges and experiences and are growing in good ways. You experiment with new genres or topics and are willing to try something new.

Image: Edsel Little via Flickr

Comfort Reader

You tend to stick what you know--familiar authors or genres. You're doing good at volume or consistency, you're just sticking in a narrow lane. You could add more balance by exploring new genres or more challenging reading experiences.

Junk food reader

You tend to read what's easiest or most convenient. You haven't challenged yourself in a while and don't always feel like you get much out of your reading. You could become more balanced by finding a topic and book that is more interesting you and building some consistency in your reading schedule.