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newer, current novels need to replace those that have circled high school curriculums for decades; contemporary novels that have become more popular to teach in high school English, include The Kite Runner, Scythe, and literature circles or book clubs. Even those that still teach “the classics,” such as The Great Gatsby, The Lord of the Flies, and Of Mice and Men, can select engaging activities that pair well with these great classics.

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newer, current novels need to replace those that have circled high school curriculums for decades; contemporary novels that have become more popular to teach in high school English, include The Kite Runner, Scythe, and literature circles or book clubs. Even those that still teach “the classics,” such as The Great Gatsby, The Lord of the Flies, and Of Mice and Men, can select engaging activities that pair well with these great classics.

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Why is Reading Such a Chore? A Case for Giving Students More Choice

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What makes something a chore? Is it the essence of the activity itself, such that mopping the floor, for instance, is inherently more chore-like and more obligatory in nature than doing something else, such as watching a movie? Is it really that ontologically simple? Surely not. The idea that someth

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The 18 Reasons Not to Use Accelerated Reader

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Following are short summaries of the most common arguments made by researchers, teachers, parents, and students as to why using AR is counterproductive. Hence, The 20 Reasons Not to Use Accelerated Reader.

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Reading novels from old, dead, white authors

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Reading novels from old, dead, white authors

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This report builds on our research during the first national lockdown in spring 2020 by highlighting how children and young people felt about reading in early 2021, a period that coincided with the third national lockdown in the UK (reports are also available on writing in 2021 and listening to audiobooks in 2021). We conducted our latest Annual Literacy Survey between January and mid-March 2021. Despite the ongoing pandemic and disruptions to schools, 42,502 children and young people aged 8 to 18 from 117 UK schools participated in this online survey.

Key findings

1 in 2 (51.5%) children and young people said that they enjoyed reading. This is slightly lower than the percentage we recorded during the first spring lockdown in 2020 (55.9%), but higher than levels at the beginning of 2020 when we evidenced the lowest level of reading enjoyment (47.8%) since we first asked this question in 2005.

The gap between those who received free school meals (FSMs) and those who didn't doubled over the course of the year (from 2.1 percentage points in early 2020 to 4.6 percentage points in early 2021), with more non-FSM than FSM pupils saying that they enjoyed reading.

Indeed, the year between early 2020 and early 2021 had a particularly detrimental impact on the reading enjoyment of boys who received FSMs, where we saw a drop of 5.2 percentage points in the number of boys on FSMs who enjoyed reading. Only 2 in 5 (41.4%) of these boys said that they enjoyed reading in 2021 compared with 46.1% of boys not receiving FSMs.

3 in 10 (30.1%) children and young people said in 2021 that they read something daily in their free time, which is lower than the level we recorded during the first national lockdown in spring 2020 but on a par with levels we evidenced in early 2020.
The gap in daily reading also widened between those who received FSMs and those who didn't during the first national lockdown in spring 2021, favouring those not receiving FSMs. By early 2021, this gap had narrowed again, but it remains higher than in early 2020.

Reading to relax was one of the main reasons why children and young people were reading in early 2021, with 1 in 2 (52.7%) saying this, followed by two educational aspects, namely helping to learn about new things (51.4%) and learning new words (49.8%).

2 in 5 (44.6%) children and young people agreed that reading made them feel better.

By far the most popular reading that children and young people do in their free time is text/direct messages (92.4%) followed by in-game communications (87.4%). Still, 1 in 2 (51.0%) read fiction on paper in their free time whereas nearly 3 in 10 (28.1%) also read fiction on screen.

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Children and young people's reading engagement in 2021 | National Literacy Trust

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This report outlines children and young people's feelings about reading in early 2021, a period that coincided with the third national lockdown in the UK.

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Reading is a lot like going to the gym. Both of them thrive on commitment, discipline, and time. The book reading statistics below show one thing: just like going to the gym, reading is not for everyone. The similarities go even further: you may not have hours every day to read/go to the gym. But every little bit matters when it comes to training your body or your mind.

In this article, we have gathered a comprehensive list of statistics about reading books that we believe you must know in 2023 and beyond to help you discover some insightful and fun facts, as well as mind-boggling statistics and facts about reading and readers from all over the world.

Without further ado, let's dive into some of the most interesting reading stats.

What Are the Most Interesting Statistics about Reading?

1. 35 percent of the world read more due to coronavirus

Lockdowns and movement restrictions due to the pandemic meant that most people remained indoors to curb the spread of the dreaded disease. This also meant that people needed to find things to keep them occupied in the house - a situation that also encouraged more people to take up reading in a bid to kill boredom.

Let's hope everyone keeps up with their reading even after the whole crisis is over!

2. One of every three teenagers has not read a book for pleasure in a year

According to American Psychological Association, this can be largely attributed to the phenomenal rise of social media and gaming platforms that have significantly impacted the reading culture among millennials today.

A reading app like Basmo can help a lot in this area! Basmo gives digital natives the opportunity to treat reading like browsing the web. Teenagers are more familiar with mobile apps than books and Basmo bridges this gap.

3. 23 percent of adult Americans didn't read a book in 2020

Despite having one of the most advanced education systems in the world, a survey by Pew Research Center revealed that American adults with a high school diploma or less are far more likely to report not reading books in any format than their counterparts with a bachelor's or advanced degree.

4. 825.75 million books were printed back in 2021

Even though digital penetration has somewhat affected traditional media like books and other non-digital formats, 2021 experienced a rather unusual rise in books printed in America. According to a report by Statista, this rise represented one of the highest surges since 2010 at 8.9 percent year-on-year.

5. People aged between 15 to 44 read for an average of 10 minutes or less per day

One of the most interesting books reading statistics we've uncovered is that this age group is more likely to watch more television than read a book, for instance. Throw in constantly catching on social media and time spent on reading reduces significantly.

On the other hand, 51-year-olds and above spend over 50 minutes reading. Couple this with the statistics on reading for teenagers above and you'll see a trend. It's not a good trend, but it's there!

Source: BLS American Time Use Survey

6. Bill Gates reads 50 books a year

Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.
Bill Gates

His love for reading is what has exposed the tech mogul to a world of opportunities.

Okay, you might not be able to match Gates' record but this is a good motivation nonetheless. The trick is to start with smaller, achievable milestones - say about 10 to 15 books a year: that's roughly one book a month - and work your way up.

By the way, you can check our list with the best books recommended by Bill Gates.

7. 88 percent of rich people "devote thirty minutes or more each day to self-education or self-improvement reading"

Successful people read a lot. Wealthy people have been known to develop daily habits such as exercising, yoga, a healthy sleeping routine, and reading.

Coincidence? We think not! Remember what we said above about how reading improves your cognitive functions?

If you are curious what are the books they prefer, check our list of top books successful people read.

8. Just six minutes of reading per day mean a lot for the development of young children

If you only retain one of these book reading statistics, make it this one: 6 minutes of additional reading time per day can significantly improve children's reading performance.

That's it! 6 minutes per day - everyone can find 6 minutes to spare, right?

9. Reading helps the elderly, too

Reading isn't beneficial just for kids. A study published by Robert S. Wilson, PhD in 2013 has shown that reading can reduce mental decline in the elderly by 32 percent.

This is one good reason to grab a book, right?

10. You could read up to 55 books in a year

...if you took the time to speed up your reading. According to Lenstore, an average reader goes through 33 books in a year, while speed readers easily reach 55.

11. 30% of Americans read e-books instead of paperback

Research conducted by the Pew Research center has revealed that as of 2021 approximately 3 in 10 Americans have read e-books in the previous year. Even though paperback is still a clear favorite, the popularity of e-books is constantly rising from one year to the other.

12. 75 % of US citizens read at least a book in the last year

According to the same study, 3 in 4 Americans have read (at least partially) a book in the past 12 months, regardless of the format. Surprisingly, this figure seems to have remained unchanged since 2011.

13. Who doesn't read at all in America?

14. Women read (a lot) more than men

Research has shown that there is a substantial difference between the reading habits of men and women. Even though on a global scale, illiteracy seems to be more prevalent in women than in men, statistics are also showing that women who read, do it more often, and better than men. The difference is particularly huge when it comes to fiction, with women being responsible for 80% of the total sales of fiction books

15. The most reading is done in Asian countries

Recent statistics show that the countries where people spend the most time reading are Asian countries. India leads the pack with 10 hours 42 minutes per week spent reading by the average Indian, followed by Thailand with 9 hours and 24 minutes, and China with 8 hours on the dot. European countries are best represented by Sweden in the 8th spot out of 30, with an average of 6 hours and 54 minutes, while the USA sadly comes in on the 23rd spot with just 5 hours and 42 minutes.

How to become part of the solution with Basmo?

As you can see, reading statistics shed a bit of a grim light on the reading habits around the world. Despite the ever-growing number of books we have at our disposal, more formats available, and the means to purchase more books than ever, this amazingly healthy habit seems to be on a constant decline.

If you don't want to be a contributor to these saddening statistics, using Basmo can seriously improve your reading habits, the amount of reading you will get done, and the overall quality of your reading sessions.

Here's what Basmo can do for you:

Create reading lists with Basmo

In order to be able to read more, you will need to know what to read. Luckily, Basmo is a reading tracking app that comes with a series of additional features meant to take your reading to a different level.

Create a schedule and stick to it

Even though many of us still see reading as a simple pastime activity, the truth is that it's a lot more than that. It can improve our health, our sleep, and will make us more empathetic and wise. Taking it seriously will improve our lives considerably, but in doing so, we need to start with a bit of structure. Having a reading schedule is an amazing way to ensure that you read enough.

Set goals

Knowing what you are working towards and visualizing your results is a great way of achieving your goals. Reading goals are obviously no different, and Basmo allows you to set personalized goals for your reading in a simple and effective way.

Conclusion

Familiarizing yourself with stats about reading is a great way of motivating you to read more and inspire you to improve your reading skills. Reading stats also broaden your perspective of the reading culture by understanding how it has evolved and the trends that have shaped it.

Do these statistics about reading books motivate you to get more serious about this habit? If not, we might help! Basmo makes reading fun and enjoyable for everyone!
Book vector created by pikisuperstar - www.freepik.com

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15 Book Reading Statistics You Must Know in 2023 - Basmo

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All the relevant book reading statistics and trends in a single place. Motivate and inspire yourself today with these stats about reading.

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There is a major discrepancy between the United Kingdom and United States as there is a unique focus on academics in other Western countries that is typically not found in U.S. high school students.

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There is a major discrepancy between the United Kingdom and United States as there is a unique focus on academics in other Western countries that is typically not found in U.S. high school students.

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Programs like Study Sync require reading of excerpts instead of whole novels. Also really boring for students.

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Programs like Study Sync require reading of excerpts instead of whole novels. Also really boring for students.

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The decline points back to a key issue that occurs in middle school, and unfortunately, affects students throughout high school, college, and adult life. 

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The decline points back to a key issue that occurs in middle school, and unfortunately, affects students throughout high school, college, and adult life. 

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Millionaire Warren Buffett relates reading to being successful: “Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will.”

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Millionaire Warren Buffett relates reading to being successful: “Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will.”

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It is imperative that habitual reading is introduced back into the high school curriculum; with this, students will find novels of their own interest and continue reading regularly outside of the required class reading. 

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It is imperative that habitual reading is introduced back into the high school curriculum; with this, students will find novels of their own interest and continue reading regularly outside of the required class reading. 

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The Reading Habits of Ultra-Successful People

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Want to know one habit ultra-successful people have in common? They read. A lot.

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Currently, high school students expect to be entertained by the reading they’re assigned in class, yet 54.5% rate themselves as average readers in terms of confidence. 

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Currently, high school students expect to be entertained by the reading they’re assigned in class, yet 54.5% rate themselves as average readers in terms of confidence. 

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Activities that require critical thinking and attract students’ attention can reduce apathy and increase engagement in; for instance, competitions, Escape Rooms, trivia, matching games, and book tastings re-engage students in the idea that learning can be fun, which in turn, inspires them to start reading outside of class. 

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Activities that require critical thinking and attract students’ attention can reduce apathy and increase engagement in; for instance, competitions, Escape Rooms, trivia, matching games, and book tastings re-engage students in the idea that learning can be fun, which in turn, inspires them to start reading outside of class. 

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Strategies to engage students as readers

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Explore a range of strategies you can use in the school library, classroom or across the curriculum to encourage and support students to read for pleasure.

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Even as instructional techniques shift and change, reading remains an irreplaceable tool for learning and growth. But while the importance of reading remains constant, the challenge educators face is keeping it relevant for the students. Some students dive deep into reading, while others barely skim the surface. One of the driving factors? Relevance.

The Pressing Need for Relevance in Reading

In today's interconnected world, students are not just absorbing information. They're synthesizing it, asking questions, and making connections. As students have questions about global issues, societal dynamics, and personal challenges, they often find traditional reading materials disconnected from their lives. This isn't just about personal preferences-it can signal a disconnect between curriculum design and changing student interests. A goal should be for reading materials and assignments to be a source of connection for our students, not further frustration.

Relevance as a Cornerstone of Effective Reading Instruction

For reading instruction to be effective and engaging, it's essential to consider both the content and the approach. The materials students read, and the methods used to explore them, are each important for creating a connection with the text. To do this, we can aim to tailor reading content to students' unique interests and guide their interaction with this content for deeper understanding.

Student-Centric Topics

Each student brings their own experiences, curiosities,and aspirations to their reading. Now, imagine if our educational approach was equally dynamic. Instead of a rigid curriculum, consider an inquiry-based approach that evolves based on student feedback. This isn't about giving up control-it's about sharing it. Inviting students to voice their interests makes learning more engaging and more collaborative.

Initiating Deeper Engagement through Guided Questions

Reading is a multi-dimensional activity. Once the right content is selected, the next step is to foster deeper interaction with it. Here's where guided questioning and discussion come into play:

Surprises and New Discoveries: Encouraging students to discuss unexpected elements can lead to broader discussions about preconceptions and biases.

Background Knowledge and Assumptions: By reflecting on what an author assumes a reader knows, students can bridge knowledge gaps, enhancing comprehension.

Evolving Perspectives: This isn't just about agreement or disagreement but about growth. How has reading something reshaped or reinforced existing beliefs?

These questions push students to not just read words on a page, but to interact with that content along the way.

The Ripple Effects of Reading Relevance

The true power of relevance in reading is not just about the immediate spark of interest it ignites in the classroom; it's about the long-lasting impact it leaves on a student's approach to learning and their broader worldview. When a text resonates with a student's personal experiences and interests, they move from being passive consumers to active readers.

Consider the profound transformation that takes place when a student sees their own questions, doubts, and curiosities mirrored in what they read. This connection can spur deeper inquiries, prompt discussions, and even lead to extracurricular opportunities. Imagine the student who reads a relevant article about environmental conservation. Not only will they grasp the concepts better, but they could also be inspired to participate in a community clean-up project or consider environmental studies as a future academic pursuit.

Relevance in reading also cultivates a habit of seeking connections in other areas. A student who resonates with a historical text might begin drawing parallels with current global events. Another who connects with a poem might become more empathetic, understanding, and open-minded in their daily interactions.

In essence, the ripple effects of relevance in reading extend far beyond an immediate "aha" moment. It sets the stage for a continuous journey of critical thinking and personal growth, shaping students into curious learners and informed citizens.

Preparing Students for a World Beyond the Classroom

As educators, we all want our students to have the skills and insights needed to navigate the world outside of their classroom. In this mission, the significance of relevance in reading cannot be understated.

Relevant reading helps students hone the skills of critical analysis, discernment, and synthesis. They learn to draw connections between disparate pieces of information, to question the status quo, and to form their own informed opinions. This is particularly crucial in our current digital age, where information is abundant, but its reliability can often be questionable.

Discerning readers won't just passively accept information presented to them. Instead, they'll evaluate its source, its context, and its implications. Whether they're sifting through news articles, workplace documents, research papers, or even Tik Tok, they'll be more equipped to consume information critically.

Furthermore, by connecting classroom readings to real-world scenarios, we're helping students see the broader applications of their knowledge. They begin to understand that the skills they develop in school-critical thinking, analysis, empathy, and more-have tangible impacts outside of school.

Relevance is not just an educational strategy; it's the bridge between academics and application. Teaching is about more than delivering lessons; it's about sparking curiosity and guiding students to growth. By ensuring that reading remains relevant for our students, we're helping them become informed, critical, and passionate lifelong learners.

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The Power of Relevance: Engaging Students in Reading Through Personal Connections

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As educators, we all want our students to have the skills and insights needed to navigate the world outside of their classroom. In this mission, the significance of relevance in reading cannot be understated.

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(Getty Images)

Americans are spreading their book consumption across several formats. The share of adults who have read print books in the past 12 months still outpaces the share using other forms, but 30% now say they have read an e-book in that time frame.

Overall, 75% of U.S. adults say they have read a book in the past 12 months in any format, whether completely or part way through, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since 2011, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8, 2021. Print books remain the most popular format for reading, with 65% of adults saying that they have read a print book in the past year.

While shares of print book readers and audiobook listeners remain mostly unchanged from a Center survey conducted in 2019, there has been an uptick in the share of Americans who report reading e-books, from 25% to 30%.

Pew Research Center has studied how Americans read books for years. For this analysis, we surveyed 1,502 U.S. adults from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8, 2021, by cellphone and landline phone. The survey was conducted by interviewers under the direction of Abt Associates and is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, education and other categories. Here are the questions, responses and methodology used for this analysis.

Americans read an average (mean) of roughly 14 books during the previous 12 months and the typical (median) American read five books in that period, according to the survey. These figures are identical to 2011, when the Center first began conducting surveys of Americans' book reading habits.

Despite growth in certain digital formats, it remains the case that relatively few Americans only consume digital books (which include audiobooks and e-books) to the exclusion of print. Some 33% of Americans read in these digital formats and also read print books, while 32% say they read only print books. Just 9% of Americans say they only read books in digital formats and have not read any print books in the past 12 months.

Demographic differences in book reading in 2021 are similar to the patterns seen in past Center surveys. For example, adults who have a bachelor's or advanced degree are more likely to be book readers than those who have only attended some college and those with a high school education or less, and adults ages 18 to 29 are more likely to read books than those 65 and older. At the same time, patterns of book consumption among a few groups changed since 2019. Some examples:

Adults with lower incomes - The share of adults with an annual household income of less than $30,000 who have listened to an audiobook has increased 8 percentage points since 2019 (22% vs. 14%).

Urban adults - The share of American adults living in urban communities who say they have read a book in any format in the previous 12 months grew from 75% in 2019 to 81% now - an increase of 6 percentage points.

The table below covers how different groups reported their reading habits in the survey.

Note: Here are the questions, responses and methodology used for this analysis. This is an update of a post by Andrew Perrin originally published Sept. 1, 2016.

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75% of U.S. adults say they have read a book in the past 12 months in any format, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since 2011.

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How Changing Your Reading Habits Can Transform Your Health

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Reading doesn’t just improve your knowledge, it can help fight depression, make you more confident, empathetic, and a better decision maker.