Poll: Rarely Reading, Americans reading less from books that is

by ryan | August 22, 2007 at 08:06 am

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A study released Tuesday details the falling reading rates of books amongst Americans. The largest cohort of readers of books is the elderly and women.

One in four adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Tuesday. Of those who did read, women and seniors were most avid, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices.

The fact that the study only documents the reading of traditional books, it is no surprise that it's the elderly who are reading the most. Seniors aren't using computers in large numbers and haven't grown up with a computer in their laps and movies at their finger tips.

The survey reveals a nation whose book readers, on the whole, can hardly be called ravenous. The typical person claimed to have read four books in the last year -- half read more and half read fewer. Excluding those who hadn't read any, the usual number read was seven.

Personally, I find reading a book a much welcomed break from the glow of the screen. Sitting in bed without the burning heat of my laptop makes for a much more pleasant experience.

That choice by Bustos and others is reflected in book sales, which have been flat in recent years and are expected to stay that way indefinitely. Analysts attribute the listlessness to competition from the Internet and other media, the unsteady economy and a well-established industry with limited opportunities for expansion.

There is one phenomenon though that gives hope, Harry Potter. Kids are sitting curled up reading hundreds of pages in an evening - a tremendous feat when they could as easily turn on the tube or the computer. This leads me to believe that part of the problem may lie in the types of books being published. Creative energy is pouring into the entertainment business where the money seems endless.

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Karen Hatter

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:41 on August 22nd, 2007

Sad news, Ryan. This wonderful medium does not allow the satisfying tactile sensation a book provides. I still enjoy curling up with that proverbial good book!

Victoria Revay

at 12:52 on August 22nd, 2007

What a sad world we live in..

speakeasyX

at 17:16 on August 22nd, 2007

For me, I often find it difficult to find people to discuss books with. Offline, that is.

Which, understand me, is not meant in any elitist fashion. I read constantly, and yet I still feel I know very little about literature in terms of what's out there that one can study. Yet, as a general rule, I've two, maybe three people I see on a day to day basis that I can sit down and discuss a book(s) with and can be somewhat comfortable in the fact that they've read it.

Thing is, balance is the key. I'm also a movie buff. I watch a lot of movies and thoroughly enjoy that media as well. Yet what can truly compare to sitting down to a new book by your favorite author? Or an old book you're just discovering? I've just heard about a novel today called The Loser, which I am going to purchase as soon as I can. That sort of feeling is hard to match for the movie or television program. Yes, I get excited about a movie. Yet being able to let my own imagination paint the imagery, do the voice-over and picture it all is a wonderful thing.

And I don't think the key is dumbing down literature. Sadly, I see that happening. Yet I think a great many people are far more than capable of getting into Thomas Hardy, Stephen King, Henry James or Neil Gaiman, as they are able to get into good movies and good television. I believe it comes down to making more people aware of literature, and what it can do for a person when they're willing to slow down, take a while an really immerse themselves in the work.

Thanks for this article. More like it, please!

ecaputo84

at 01:57 on August 23rd, 2007

I agree with you that reading a book is a good break from reading a tube. At the very least, you have more flexibility where you can read (on the bus, on the beach, lying down, etc) than you do with a screen.

I think that the problem is that the schools don't emphasize reading skills like they used to. Anyway, that is my opinion.

ryan

at 06:26 on August 23rd, 2007

I think tha's a great point. Schools have placed more of their energy behind computer skills and something had to give...reading.

Nay (not verified)

at 01:44 on September 5th, 2008

Well i'm glad you fnk the same!I believe that schools should emphasise more on reading books than reading on the computer tubes because usually the work will be done for the children

Adam Z (not verified)

at 11:39 on December 30th, 2008

This depends much on the school system. At my daughter's school they have a reading program that rewards the kids for meeting reading goals, and testing well on what they've read. The rewards are usually something along the lines of a pizza party at the end of the quarter or a homework pass allowing them to skip one homework assignment. This program, and the fact that I'm an avid reader (couple thousand books in the house) and read to my daughter every night until she was 7 or 8 has, I believe, contributed to the fact that my daughter is now a ravenous reader as well. Five the the items on her xmas list this year were books (all of which she got). How many 10 year old girls do you know that ask for more books than toys for xmas? If other school systems are neglecting reading I think that's a real shame. Literature gives access to other places, cultures and point of view. Perhaps the world would be a better place if more people read.

Nay-Tee (not verified)

at 01:09 on September 5th, 2008

Personally I would agree that reading a book is much more fun than being on the computer tube the whole time because you are restricted from moving about!whereas wif a book you can read it anywhere and at anytime!