A new study shows that, on average, Americans read 12 books per year. Nearly a quarter of adults in the U.S. — 73 percent — have read at least one book in the past year.
This information comes from a new study by the Pew Research Center that looks at the book reading habits of Americans.
The study, which has taken place every year since 2011, looks a variety of facets of Americans’ reading habits. As with other research, the new report found that the vast majority of Americans still seem to prefer print books as opposed to digital devices.
Print books still dominate ebooks and audiobooks
According to the study, 65 percent of Americans have read a print book in the last year, while only 28 percent have read an ebook and 14 percent have listened to an audiobook.
The percentage of those that read digital books on dedicated ebook readers has remained flat for the past two years, though the number of people reading digital copies of books on tablets and cellphones has increased over the same period.
The study also looked at those that read exclusively print or digital. Though 38 percent of Americans said they only read print books, only 6 percent read digital books exclusively.
This is just the latest research that shows the total number of people reading remains at a relatively high level, but that the predicted decline of those reading print books has yet to be seen. The current trends are showing that consumers still love to read print books.
We’ve reported on the topic before, including a look at a study showing that college students also prefer print to digital. This is despite predictions that colleges and universities would lead the digital book revolution as text books came to ereaders.
Obviously, we here at Advanced Print & Finishing may be a bit biased toward print books, though we also know we have science on our side.
