Some Words: Reading While Walking

On my way to work this morning, I saw two separate people reading physical books while walking. Not phones. Not e-readers. Books.

Now, I often see people reading their phones. It's a common sight. The phone readers are head down and thumb scrolling. Occasionally, a person will look up to regain their situational awareness. More often, I will have to dodge out of the way as these folks barrel down the sidewalk without looking up.

So the book walkers stood out. 

But I have a question for these book readers. Namely, how do you do it? It's impressive! They were holding their books open with both hands, bags slung over their shoulders. They had their texts at an angle that let them keep an eye on what was in front of them. (Thank you.) But, as I passed, I could see their eyes darting across the page. It was a nice feat of multitasking. I am not this skilled. I would stumble over my own two feet or crash into a sign post.

My second question is: why?

Why do you read a physical book while walking? I mean this with curiosity and without judgement.

I also prefer physical books. But I admit they are unwieldly. E-readers and phone apps make reading on the go so much easier. I genuinely wish I had stopped to ask why they chose this format. Was the book only available in a physical format? Do they prefer reading on a printed page? Is it a battery life thing? One less device to charge? Are they rebelling against an increasingly digital world?

I don't have answers. Just admiration.

Do you read while on the move? If so, how?

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