Recently, a discussion erupted on the book side of TikTok about how people read. The conversation gathered thousands of comments.

People experience books in very different ways. For some, reading is like watching a vivid movie in their mind. For others, it’s a flow of words and meaning without any imagery. These differences reflect how our imagination works — and science has terms for it. At the extremes are aphantasia and hyperphantasia, with most people somewhere in the middle.

Aphantasia: When the Mind Doesn’t Paint

Aphantasia is the inability to form mental images. A person with aphantasia understands what “a red ball” or “a sunset over the ocean” means, but they don’t see it in their mind’s eye. Their thinking is often verbal, logical, or abstract. When reading, they follow the plot, understand the ideas, but don’t picture the scenes.

Descriptive language may feel like just text to them, not a visual experience. Still, many people with aphantasia love reading deeply — especially nonfiction or idea-driven works where imagery is less central.

Typical Visualization: The Middle Ground

Most people fall into this broad middle category. They can visualize, but not always vividly. Their mental images may be faint, brief, or require effort to summon. When reading, they might imagine a character or setting, but it doesn’t feel like watching a real movie — more like a foggy scene or an impression.

This “average” visual imagination is flexible. People can usually switch it on when needed and turn it off when focusing on logic or analysis. It’s the most common form of inner experience, allowing a balance between imagery, emotion, and reasoning.

Hyperphantasia: Cinema in the Mind

At the other end of the spectrum is hyperphantasia — an extremely vivid imagination. People with hyperphantasia don’t just picture a scene; they experience it. Mental imagery feels nearly real, with color, motion, sound, and even emotion.

For these readers, books come alive in their minds. Reading becomes an immersive journey, as if stepping into a parallel world. While this can fuel creativity and empathy, it can also be distracting if the mind is too active or the imagery too intense.

The Imagination Spectrum

Aphantasia, typical visualization, and hyperphantasia represent different points on a broad spectrum. These differences also affect how we dream, remember, plan, and imagine the future.

One person may mentally rehearse a walk to the store, seeing every street and landmark. Another may simply know the route logically, with no visual map. Both approaches work — they’re just shaped by how the mind processes experience.

What It Means for Reading and Creativity

Understanding how your imagination works can help you better grasp your learning style, creative process, and emotional responses. Aphantasics may excel in conceptual thinking. Hyperphantasics may thrive in storytelling or design. Those in the middle often have the flexibility to switch between modes.

There is no right or wrong way to imagine. What matters is embracing how your mind reads, dreams, and creates — whether through vivid pictures, abstract reasoning, or a blend of both.