Submitted: The Two Sides Team November 19, 2015

While the numbers are declining, most Americans have read a print book within the past year; the highest percentage is reported among young readers.

More than seven in ten adult Americans report having read either a digital or print book in the past year, according to a study published by the Pew Research Center earlier this year. In spite of concerns that e-readers and digital books would take over traditional books, most readers—63 percent—report that they have read a print book within the past year. This number has declined slightly from 69% the previous year.

What may be most surprising is that younger readers—those most associated with use of digital technology—are actually the most likely to have read a print book during the past year. Eighty percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 report having read at least one book in the past year; of those, 69 percent report having read a print book.

“Digital sales, which comprise about 20% of the market, have slowed sharply, while print sales have stayed relatively strong… several years of Pew Research Center survey data indicate there has been little change in the share of adults consuming e-books or audio books,” according to the statement released by Pew Research.

Read the full article

Also reported at Time.com, October 20, 2015: http://time.com/4079588/pew-research-books/

Share this story