1 in 4 adults in America didn’t read a book last year?
Okay, this I don’t get: one in four adults read no books at all in the past year, according to an AP-Ipsos poll. The survey went on to say that the typical person claimed to have read four books last year. Of those who had read at least one book, the usual number read was seven. Yet, 27% of people hadn’t read a single book in the last year.
Interestingly, folks from the West and Midwest are more likely to have read at least one book in the past year. Southerners who do read, however, tend to read more books, mostly religious books and romance novels, than people from other regions. Additionally, Democrats and liberals typically reading slightly more books than Republicans and conservatives.
I wonder whether this is an adult thing - or whether children pick up on this on a young age. So, here’s an informal poll: Did you read a book last year? If so, what genre? And more importantly, tying it into this blog, did your children read a book last year?
August 21st, 2007 at 10:16 pm
I would estimate that I read between 50 to 60 books a year and have since childhood. I read EVERY night, and usually read 2 or 3 books at a time. Those numbers would be in addition to reference and resource books on writing, computer manuals, and looking up facts, etc. in my home or public library. I can’t even fathom reading only 7 books a year, or none!
The only genres I do NOT read are romance, horror, or war. Anything else is fair game if I find the subject interesting or like the author. My home library contains everything from Laura Ingalls Wilder to quantum physics.
My son also reads every night and reads anywhere from 1 to 3 books a week, depending on the type.
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:28 am
How lonely is a year with only seven books in it!
In a slow year, I’ll average 2-3 books a week. Right now, I’m reading 2 books a day. Mind you, I don’t change the stats, not being American.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:04 am
Last year was a low point. I just barely scraped by with 50 books to complete the 50 book challenge. This year I’m a bit ahead of the game at 39 with 4 months to go. Sam reads many books a day. The same books over, and over, and over, and over, and over…
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:26 am
I’m like April, but without the quantum physics. I generally read at least 1 book a week, sometimes 2. As for genres, I gravitate to mysteries, but some of the quirky “chick lit” is also fun, and I frequently just buy random nonfiction (i.e., Salt or How the Scots Invented the Modern World). My boys are only 2 & 3, but we read every night and I usually read to one of them during daycare drop off in the mornings.
My husband hates to read, though. He will read some history (preferably Civil War), but that’s it.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:29 am
KSR -
That’s interesting that your husband hates to read. Mine reads more than me! Of course, I think some of that is a result of timing - in between blogging, working and kids, I don’t have much down time.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:49 am
I definitely read every year, but not 50 books! I used to, as a child, but now I just don’t have time with running my own business. I’m a pretty slow reader as well. I’d estimate that I read 15 books in the past 12 months. And I’m happy with that. That’s why I never participate in book clubs–I just can’t read fast enough to keep up!
Of course, I’m not counting required reading, like what I HAD to read for college or projects with work.
My boyfriend also doesn’t like to read. At least, not books. He reads a lot of magazines and online articles. Which, I guess that’s OK too. It’s not good to force people to read novels (or even nonfiction) if they really just don’t like it.
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:42 am
I can’t believe 1/4 of people didn’t read a single book last year. I’m usually reading a new book each week, often two or three new books each week. LOL And having kids means I’m reading at least one children’s book each night before bed, and often another book or two during the day.
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:19 am
I read a few. My financee reads about 3 books a month. This might sound shocking, but seriously, I think that throughout history only a certain percentage of people have been reading books. Yeah it might have been higher before the advent of tv and radio, but how much of the population over time has been literate much less interested in reading?
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:04 pm
[...] This showed up in my email this morning thanks to Google and I couldn’t not comment. 1 in 4 adults in America didn’t read a book last year. How can you go an entire year without reading a single book? Maybe it’s jsut the book worm [...]
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:05 am
I love to read and I can’t imagine how boring life would be without books. I usually read 1-2 books a day depending on how long they are and whether or not I have to work. (I get to read more at work since I work at the front desk in a hotel!)
On the other hand, both of my little brothers hate reading. The youngest one (who’s ten) will only read if it’s a Star Wars book. The oldest one practically never reads and does terrible in school because he hates reading so much. Then there’s my brother-in-law who has only ever read seven books in his entire life!! I paid him to read the first Harry Potter (because I think reading is very important) and he was hooked after that. However, he still won’t pick up any other books and isn’t into rereading either…
August 25th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
I read at least one book a week — probably 2 most weeks. My kids read constantly. My daughter, who’s 14 reads more than I read, and my son, who’s only 4, has several books a day read TO him.
DH, though, is not an avid reader. He reads a lot of websites and blogs that are work or cycling-related, and he reads Newsweek and the local Paper cover to cover — every issue. He’s just not a book reader.