Why did dickens read books instead of playing with the other children?

Charles Dickens didn't have the luxury of choosing to read over playing as a child. He was born into poverty and had to work in a blacking factory from the age of 12. This meant he had little time or opportunity for play.

However, Dickens did love to read and was a voracious reader from a young age. He would often sneak away to read whenever he could. This passion for reading would later translate into his own successful career as a writer.

Here's why Dickens might have preferred reading to playing:

* Escapism: Reading provided a way to escape the harsh realities of his childhood and immerse himself in different worlds.

* Learning: Books offered knowledge and exposure to ideas that he wouldn't have encountered otherwise.

* Inspiration: Reading stories and novels likely sparked his own creative imagination and inspired him to become a writer.

While Dickens didn't choose to read over playing, his love for reading was a vital part of his development and later success.