Half of Americans are Reading a Book! [Statistics]
Did you know in 1957, less than 25% of Americans were reading a book or a novel according to Gallup Poll? By 2005, that figure had risen to 47%. This means one if every two Americans are actively reading a book. Half of Americans also said they have read more than five books this past year.
- How many have you read this past year?
With the media onslaught of movies and video games, you may have thought reading was a lost art. I would have had thought the same, but these figures show that more people are reading than before. Perhaps it is because there was just a lot less books back then? But as recently as 1990 the poll show the reading rate was much lower at 37%.
What do you think is causing more people to read?
- MORE BOOKS: Is just more books in print?
- MORE ACCESS: Affect of easy purchase through sites like Amazon and eBooks through iTunes?
- MORE SHARING: Is it the proliferation of communication mediums like the internet where we can share our thoughts on books on forums and Facebook?
- MORE GADGETS: Perhaps more gadgets like Kindles and iPads to make reading easier (and cooler) than ever?
- MORE BLOCKBUSTERS: Is it the popularity of big series like Harry Potter and Hunger Games?
Clean Cut Media’s Take: More people are reading books because of one word – “EASY”. It’s easy to find out about new great books through the internet. It is easier to read up on numerous book reviews and peer reviews through websites, forums and social networking. It is easier to purchase a book. No longer do we go through a local Barnes n’ Noble to find a book and pay $25 for a book when it’s $10 on Amazon Books
with a click of a finger.
Who is Doing all the Reading?
in 2005:
Gender: Female (53%) vs. Male (42%) – 11pt differential!
Age: 18-29 (40%), 30-49 (47%), 50-64 (51%), 65+ (47%)
Battle: Movies vs. Reading Books
One interesting reading statistic is that those who frequently watch movies tend to also read more books.
Watch a Lot of Movies makes you read Less, or More?
- High Frequency: 62%
- Moderate Frequency: 49%
- Not at All: 33%
At first, this may seem counter intuitive since people often bemoan how nobody reads books anymore but rather just watch tv and movies. Yet perhaps the stronger correlation lies in a person’s desire to get lost in a story. Both mediums does provide that avenue in which someone can get pulled into a whole different world.
- Why do you think there is a correlation of movie watching and book reading?
How do People Find New Books to Read?
Not much has changed from 1999 to 2005. Below are the % statistics for 2005.
- Choosing an Author whose book you like: 30%
- Based on Recommendation from someone you know: 27%
- Browsing a bookstore or library: 22%
- Based on Book Reviews: 7%
- By Subject: 6%
- By Browsing an Internet Site: 3%
- Advertisement You’ve Seen: 2%
The Rise of e-Books. Do People Read it?
In a survey by Pew Reserach Center, 21% of U.S. adults said they have read an e-book within the past year. As Kindles & iPads become more and more popular, more people have been getting into e-books. The average # of books read by a reader of e-book is 24 books compared to 15 books for those who only read print.
- Got e-Book on Your Computer?: 42%
- Use an e-Book Reader like Kindle or the Nook?: 41%
- Read e-Books on Mobile Phone?: 29%
Tell us what you think!
- What do you think about these stastistics?
- Why do you think more people read now then before?
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