Books vs. Binge-Watching: Why People Are Switching Back in 2025
From Lagos to London, a new movement is quietly taking shape: book lovers are turning away from streaming binges in favor of quiet reading nights. Discover what’s behind this unexpected shift—and what it means for the future of entertainment.
Image from Sora
Why More People Are Choosing Books Over Streaming (Yes, It’s Happening)
“I Canceled Netflix—Then Finished 3 Books in a Week”
Sometime in early 2024, I logged into Netflix and stared blankly at the homepage for 15 minutes. Nothing excited me. The thrill was gone. So I did something radical: I turned it off… and picked up a book instead.
Turns out, I wasn’t alone.
According to PEW Research, 32% of Gen Z in the U.S. read more physical books in 2023 than they did the previous year. In Nigeria, major bookstores like RovingHeights and online platforms like Okadabooks reported a noticeable spike in fiction and self-help book sales—even among young people.
Why are we trading binge-watching for book reading?
Let’s break it down—with global insights, African context, and real reader behavior.
1. Streaming Fatigue Is Real—And Books Offer Relief
What’s Happening Globally:
After years of endless binge culture, viewers are overwhelmed. The average Netflix user spends 18 minutes just browsing for what to watch. Add that to rising subscription costs and samey content, and many are saying enough is enough.
The Shift:
Books offer a slower, more intentional form of entertainment. No autoplay. No cliffhanger manipulation. Just story, at your pace.
African Context:
Streaming is still growing in Africa, but data costs and subscription prices limit access. In contrast, books—especially digital formats—are often cheaper, data-light, or even free.
Case Study:
Okadabooks, a Nigerian self-publishing platform, reported over 1 million downloads in 2023 alone. Their data shows users aged 18–30 are the most active.
2. Gen Z Is Reclaiming Deep Focus (and Books Help)
Despite popular assumptions, Gen Z isn’t all TikTok and chaos. In fact, recent studies show many are actively trying to reclaim their attention spans.
Global Trends:
- #BookTok has over 220 billion views on TikTok.
- “Silent reading parties” are now a global thing.
- Gen Z prefers annotating physical books or journaling alongside them—something no streaming platform encourages.
Why It Matters:
Books help reduce dopamine fatigue caused by rapid-fire content. They demand focus—and reward it with emotional payoff and mental clarity.
3. Reading Is Linked to Career & Mental Health Gains
Studies Show:
- A Yale study found reading books (vs. watching TV) correlates with longer lifespan.
- The UK’s National Literacy Trust links regular reading to higher empathy, mental health, and job readiness.
In Africa:
The correlation between book ownership and academic performance remains strong. NGOs like Books2Africa and Worldreader report improved literacy and emotional resilience in kids given access to literature—even digitally.
“I used to waste hours watching Korean dramas. Now I read thrillers and finance books. I feel smarter—and richer in spirit.”
— Maryam, 27
4. Subscription Fatigue Is Making Books a Cheaper Habit
The Math:
Let’s break it down.
| Service | Monthly Cost | Annual Total |
| Netflix (Standard – Premium) | ₦2,500 – ₦8,500 | ₦30,000 – ₦102,000 |
| Showmax (Mobile – Pro) | ₦1,600 – ₦4,000 | ₦19,200 – ₦48,000 |
| Spotify | ₦1,300–₦2,000 | ₦15,600 – ₦30,000 |
Compare that to:
- Free library apps (Libby, Worldreader)
- ₦2,000–₦3,000 for most eBooks
- Second-hand books for ₦500–₦1,500 in many local markets
Books are winning on the wallet side too.
5. African Publishing Is Experiencing a Renaissance
It’s not just about Chimamanda anymore (though we love her). The African publishing scene is booming.
Notable Names:
- RovingHeights is redefining book retail in Nigeria.
- Cassava Republic Press is exporting African literature globally.
- Farafina Books is mentoring new voices.
This is encouraging a cultural reawakening—people are seeing themselves in books again, and that matters.
Author Spotlight:
- Oyinkan Braithwaite’s “My Sister, the Serial Killer” was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
- Nnedi Okorafor is creating African-futurist worlds that rival Marvel.
6. Re-Reading Is the New Rewatching
Binge-watching doesn’t always satisfy. Ever finished a 10-episode show and immediately forgot what happened?
Books stick longer.
“When I re-read Purple Hibiscus, I noticed things I’d missed the first time. That doesn’t happen when I rewatch shows.”
— Zinhle, Johannesburg
With books, re-reading becomes a deeper, slower, more nourishing experience.
7. Book Communities Are Now Digital—and Powerful
Book Review of “The Tenant” by Freida McFadden on Booktok
From #BookTok to Goodreads challenges, reading is no longer a lonely hobby. It’s a vibrant community experience.
- TikTok has turned unknown authors into bestsellers
- Bookstagram is curating aesthetics around reading
- WhatsApp groups in Nigeria run entire reading clubs
These platforms have gamified reading, bringing the same dopamine hits—minus the screen fatigue.
8. Streaming Doesn’t Offer Ownership—Books Do
When Netflix removes a show, it’s gone. But that physical copy of “The Alchemist”? Yours forever.
In a world obsessed with ownership (NFTs, anyone?), books still offer emotional and material permanence.
9. Books Are Filling Spiritual & Emotional Gaps
Self-help, philosophy, and poetry sales have all risen, globally and in African markets. People aren’t just looking for fun—they want meaning.
“During lockdown, I didn’t want noise. I wanted peace. Books gave me that.”
— Samuel, 18
10. Books Are Back—But They Never Really Left
The world may run on screens, but books were here first—and they’re still here.
Whether you’re in New York or Nairobi, Lagos or London, the joy of a good book is proving itself timeless.
So, yes: people are ditching Netflix. They’re canceling Showmax. They’re rediscovering stories without soundtracks, marketing gimmicks, or spoilers.
Just paper. Words. Imagination.
Final Thought:
If streaming was fast food, books are your home-made jollof—slow, rich, unforgettable.
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