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Number of Americans reading e-books doubles
21.09.11 | Graeme Neill
The number of Americans using an e-book reader has almost doubled during the last 12 months, according to a new survey.
The Harris Poll also revealed one in six Americans who do not have an e-reader intend to buy one during the next six months. This may be welcomed by publishers as e-reader owners are reading more books, according to the survey. Overall, 16% of Americans read between 11 and 20 books per year with 20% reading more than 21. However, a third of those who own a Kindle, Nook or other device read 11-20 books a year with 27% reading more than 21. E-reader owners are also more likely to buy books, with 17% purchasing between 11 and 20 and 17% buying more than 21 over 12 months.
The top genres among e-book owners are crime and thriller (47%), science fiction (25%), literature (23%) and romance (23%). In non-fiction, biography is most popular (29%), then history (27%) and religion and spirituality (24%).
Harris surveyed 2,183 people during a week in July 2011. It found 8% of adults used an e-book reader 12 months ago, compared to 15% now.
The report said: "There will always be a place for books in hard cover or paperback. But there must also be a place for reading devices as well. Readers are quickly catching on to this wave as have the booksellers.
"This is a huge transition time for publishing companies and how they adapt will determine who is still standing 10 years from now."
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The findings of our survey of college students' adoption of e-books and e-readers show slightly slower growth, but growth nonetheless. Go to the following link to read the highlights.
http://www.nacs.org/advocacynewsmedia/pressreleases/ebooksereadersbegint...
It could be that, as pointed out in the original survey referenced in this article that the subject matter was almost all "recreational" reading.
Charles Schmidt
Dir. of PR
Nat'l. Assn. of College Stores
Yes but there is confusion here between growth due to need and growth due to want. They are not the same thing.
Some growth is due to the new technology and trend which will slow when e-book and tablets are no longer the new gadget/ 'in thing'.
Some growth is because people prefer e-reading and the conveniance.
A lot of growth is also due to the fact that a lot of bricks and mortar stores i.e Borders, indies and other chains have receded and out right gone under. I have a lot of American friends who have e-readers. A good half of them tell me they still prefer to buy books but they don't have a store to go to anymore. They could order online but since they are online anyway download the book and have it instantly. These heavy bookbuyers have been pushed into e-books, they don't necessarily want to, which I think a lot of publishers are missing. Do the why's matter if the result is the same? I think it does somehwhat.
If you preferred books, wouldn't you just buy books online?
I didn't visit and browse at the local bookstores as much as others, but I find that I buy more with the Kindle. If I finish a book, and want to buy another by the same author, it's very easy to do. Instant gratification.
I definitely like the fact that I don't have to hold a thick paperback in one hand, and love the ability try books where in most cases I get to read more than a chapter.
hello,
Interesting results.
One of the reasons why e-reader is growing might be because of the down-slide in the economy. e-books costs are lower than paper-books.
But I am surprised by this reading habit. If people are comfortable reading e-books, then why people are not comfortable reading content on web-pages? Why is it said that keep the content short and highlight your important content on web-pages?
And if people are comfortable with e-readers then I guess, mobile advertising seems to be the future.
Siddhant, e-ink, not being backlit, is easier on the eyes than a computer.
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