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No surprise then that Kindle Direct Publishing has given India its own category.
Korea fell at the opposite end of the spectrum just bellow Taiwan and Japan, indicating that the average person reads 3:06 hours per week.
The United States, which fell toward the bottom of the pack, reported that the average person reads 5:42 hours per week.
Countries located in geographic clusters reported similar results.
For instance, people in the Asian countries —
of India, Thailand, China and the Philippines spend the most time reading.
Industrialized, first world countries including Spain, Canada, Germany, the U.S., and Italy reported relatively low rates of reading.
The U.S. response of 5:42 hours per week per person tied that of Germany. That rate was also just lower than those of Turkey, Spain,
and Canada and just higher than that of Italy.
NOW, WHERE DO PEOPLE READ?
Well, it IS PRIVATE!
“The throne” can become a reader’s Nirvana and the last resort for those who can’t seem to find privacy anywhere else.
Beach reading has grown in popularity to the point that book stores now market books specifically as well suited to beach reading.
What exactly constitutes a "Beach Read"
WHERE DO YOU READ THE MOST?
DO YOU THINK THE WORLD READING FACTS ARE CORRECT?
DO YOU THINK GANDALF SHOULD GET HIS OWN BED?
I'd be interested in the demographics of those findings. Who or what range reads less? Various reasons would also impact stats like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing all I can to rekindle interest in reading by writing fiction and featuring book reviews.
Reading will only die if we let it.
What's even more disheartening is to dig deeper into the World Culture Score and find out that along with the 5.6 hours of reading per week comes 19 hours of TV watching. Yes, sadly, I think the world figures are probably correct although I know nothing about the method of data collection.
ReplyDeleteLike Gandolf, I like to read in bed, although sometimes I read while on the sofa chaise. Guess I prefer to read with my feet up.
I, too, have always wondered what a beach read is. They're often books geared toward women, though: a preponderance of romance, chick lit, cozy and light-weight mysteries.
How do you know that isn't Gandalf's bed, Roland?
VR Barkowski
That's an interesting analysis, Roland. I'd love to know why reading is less popular in some nations than others - that's quite a difference. It would be easy to make guesses, but I suspect the true reasons are complex.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure Gandalf really needs a bed, but I think he should have one anyway.
Makes sense India would have the most readers, population-wise. And there probably isn't as much crap vying for their attention. I'd read more often, but Breaking Bad has me by the short hairs, and thanks to Netflix streaming, I have another 40 episodes before I'll be free...
ReplyDeleteYes, Gandalf, that's a bit creepy...
ReplyDeleteI read on my iPad so I can read just about anywhere. If I'm not too tired, I often end my day with reading in bed.
Interesting. But it seems like they only counted book reading as reading, which is a little disingenuous. Articles and posts, in print or online, should count if they want to be accurate.
ReplyDeleteI find this info fascinating! Who knew India was the most well-read country? And it doesn't surprise me that the U.S. lags near the bottom. With so much technology taking up our time, reading tends to get put on the back burner.
ReplyDeleteWhat's disheartening is that NZ didn't even make it onto the map! I know we're small, but ...
ReplyDeleteI only read for pleasure when I go to bed. Can't fall asleep otherwise.
And as for Gandalf - it looks like he's in a hobbit bed, so yes, I think perhaps he should find his own.
I see Australia didn't rate a mention, but Australia is often classed as reading more per capita than any other place in the world. This is indicated by our flourishing bookstores when those around the world are crashing, and that wherever I walk in the city, people have their noses in a book or on their Kindle. Not to mention the high number of Aussie publishers publishing Aussie books. Way to go! Aussies read!!
ReplyDeleteD.G.:
ReplyDeleteReading will die when the storytellers allow it: you are right. As with any study, the fact gathering methods are terribly important!
VR:
If it is Gandalf's bed then he surrounds himself with children's toys! Of course, he could at that. :-)
I read BEFORE I GO TO BED -- no headboard! LOL.
Tony:
Gandalf, like the sleepy dragon, can sleep anyplace he chooses!
Like you, I think the true facts behind most studies are more complex than is made out!
Milo:
That's the bad thing about getting hooked at the end of a long series. You are compelled to watch them all!
Alex:
Gandalf is never creepy ... except when he is! :-)
Before bed is my favorite time to read. While driving is my favorite time to listen to a book.
J E:
That's researchers for you!
Mary Mary:
That's only one study. Like Denise states later on: I've read that Australia is filled with people who read greedily.
But you're right: our technology starves us in so many ways.
Wendy:
I've read in other studies that NZ and Aussies are among the world's heaviest readers. So one study is just one opinion.
Hobbits might well invite Gandalf to sleep over! :-)
Denise:
Yes, other studies state what you've written. Aussies love to read, and the bookstores are alive and well in Australia! :-)
Not really sure about the 'beach read' but I think my book qualifies because it's about Hawaii.
ReplyDeleteThe Desert Rocks:
ReplyDeleteI would indeed think your Hawaii book qualifies! :-)