Eighteen-year-old Ruma Bhujel finds solace in the pages of a book, “The papers in books illuminate my world with wisdom, courage, and knowledge,” she says. Bhujel’s sentiment reflects a growing trend among Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2012, who are now increasingly turning to reading as a means of learning and reflection. According to a study published in The New Americanist, 31 percent of Gen Z purchases books based on recommendations from a reviewer or ads on social media. This data highlights the influence of digital media in the life of youngsters.
Suman Basnet, who owns a bookshop in Kathmandu, says young people are likely to follow the genres that are hyped on the internet and TikTok. “Their reading habit provides insight into their way of thinking and the patterns that influence them,” he adds.
One prominent habit observed among young readers is the impact of social media. The term ‘BookTok’ explains the viral influence of TikTok on global book trends. Young people often choose to read books that have been popularized on social media platforms.“I discovered many Nepali books through my TikTok feed, and this continues to shape my view of the world,” says Reshma Dhital. One book she recommends is Amar Neupane’s ‘Seto Dharti,’ calling it one of the finest works of Nepali literature.
Celebrating World Book and Copyright Day in April 2025, UNESCO recognizes the power of learning through books, which serves as a bridge between generations and cultures. Puja Dangol from Kathmandu reflects on the effect of reading. “Books are more than the pages; they are the secret pages that hold the lifelong lessons,” she says.
While many people use social media for various purposes, Gen Z increasingly turns to reels and short video platforms as an alternative to traditional reading. According to DataReportal, 16.5m internet users were identified in January 2025, making up 55.8 percent of Nepal’s total population. With this widespread access, many youths now share their interests through reels and consume information via short videos, which exposes them to a diverse range of perspectives in a place of conventional text-based reading.
Supporting this perspective, Biswash Sherpa asserts the role of reading books in the context of summarization through short reels and videos. “Though I cannot grasp the overall content, I feel pleasure in learning this way,” he says. His perspective reflects the blend of technology and the reading culture.
Regardless, distraction remains. Upen Mahat from Biratnagar admits the power of social media over reading. “Whenever I try to concentrate, I get distracted by my phone, though I have tried to adopt the habit of reading,” he says. Mahat’s situation contrasts with other youths who seek to learn through the pages, finding calm in the written words.
Shibham Luitel, a bookshop owner in Kathmandu, notes that many bookstores are now leveraging social media to influence their customers. “I often see popular stores attracting people through reels, catchy content catching readers’ eyes,” he says.
Yet, Luitel notices the sharp distinction between past and present reading culture among young people. He notes a shift in reading culture; earlier, youth were drawn to Nepali classics, whereas today, many are inclined toward novels that emphasize love and personal struggles.
For someone like Astha Limbu, reading is a pure form of escapism. “Reading a book is like watching a series of movies,” she says. Recalling Khaled Hosseini’s novel, The Kite Runner, Lamsal notes how it taught her valuable lessons about redemption, guilt, and friendship. Although she watched the movie based on the same novel, she felt the movie left an emptiness, while the book provided meticulous detail for understanding.
“For me, books are the epitome of happiness and peace in daily life”, Limbu says.
Others adapt reading to their routines. “I read e-books while traveling, as I can’t manage daily reading,” says Uma Sah, who turns to self-help books for motivation. Twenty-year-old Kumar Basnet finds comfort in audiobooks. “The voice brings me peace. Works like Karnali Blues and Palpasa Café, offer layered insights into Nepali writing.”
Such evolving habits highlight how digitalization is reshaping reading culture. “This trend is evolving, but at least we are gaining knowledge from both traditional and digital platforms,” says Bishal Gautam, an avid reader from Pokhara. His reading blends philosophy, classics, and historical fiction.
The reading culture of Gen Z reflects change, but also resilience. From physical pages to digital reels, books continue to hold meaning. While habits shift, the search for peace, inspiration, and knowledge endures. Far from a lost generation of readers, today’s youth are forging a culture that bridges tradition and modernity.
