What an odd question. And one that I've admittedly never thoroughly thought about before.
I read to escape. I escape that APUSH homework I've been procrastinating on for the past 2 hours. I escape the dishes, the neighbor's dog barking up a storm, my brother's fighting over yet another video game problem, politics, social justice, and social interaction. I read to escape the frustrations of my own life to replace them with the frustrations of someone else's.
I read to explore. I explore Panem, Hogwarts, hospitals, reform schools, lonely and vaguely pedophilic swing ets (kudos if you understand that reference), and the world. Exploring the world through the books when I can't (no matter much I want to) helps give me a sense of what's out there. Exploring the world from your own bed? What more could an introvert want?
I read to learn. My Smithsonian subscription is just evidence of that (and yes we're ignoring the fact that I haven't found time to read the last three because life is a thing that exists). I learn the newest advancement in science (don't even get me started on science because I will NOT stop talking. Or screaming because SCIENCE).
I read because I'm good at it. I read because it's fun. I read because my brothers don't like to. I read because I don't care what my friend says. I read because I'm a "nerd" (which is true, it's just that being a nerd isn't a bad thing). I read because I am educated and introverted. I read because I want to. I read because there are so many ideas, thoughts, stories, and philosophies out there. There are so many books and not enough time to read all of them so why not try to read as many as you can?
So why do I read? I read because I am human.
