Daily Reading Time: The average daily time spent reading by American adults was approximately 15-16 minutes in 2022 and 2023. This suggests that while people are reading, it is often in short bursts.
Percentage of Regular Readers: As of 2024, the percentage of Americans who had read more than 12 books in the last three years was still relatively low, indicating that many people do not frequently engage in extensive reading.
Reading Habits: There is a noticeable decline in the share of Americans who read for pleasure, which dropped to 39% in 2022. This trend reflects a broader decline in leisure reading habits.
Audiobooks: The use of audiobooks has been on the rise, increasing from 14% in 2016 to 20% in 2019. This suggests a shift in how people consume books, with more people opting for audio formats.
Reading Preferences: Many people prefer print books, which still dominate the market with about 80% of all book sales in 2020. However, there is a growing presence of AI-generated literature and an increase in digital and audio formats.
In summary, while a significant portion of the population reads books, the frequency and depth of reading vary widely. Most people spend a limited amount of time reading each day, and the preference for different book formats is also changing.
