80 Percent Of U.S. Families Did Not Buy Or Read A Book Last Year.

Touchstone · Post by **Touchstone** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:15 pm

I found the following statistics about book publishing and reading on the Internet.

1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.

42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.

80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.

70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

57 percent of new books are not read to completion.

70 percent of books published do not earn back their advance.

70 percent of the books published do not make a profit.

Despite this sorry state of affairs about 120,000 books are published each year in the U.S.

However the consensus is that we as a nation (USA) are becoming less literate rather than more. I just can't really imagine a life without books, but most of our population obviously can.

When asked why they did not read books, the answer was usually "Why should I?"

Oh well ... back to the Internet!

Fyrenza · Post by **Fyrenza** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:20 pm

wow.

That's sort of awesome...

in a horrible sort of way!

i'm fairly poor, but i buy books by the armloads at the Dollar stores, and have ALWAYS been a regular at whatever Public Library is closest.

Just contemplating never reading another book again is

absolutely mind boggling to me...

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 12:29 pm

Touchstone;1062320 wrote: I found the following statistics about book publishing and reading on the Internet.

1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.

42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.

80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.

70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

57 percent of new books are not read to completion.

70 percent of books published do not earn back their advance.

70 percent of the books published do not make a profit.

Despite this sorry state of affairs about 120,000 books are published each year in the U.S.

However the consensus is that we as a nation (USA) are becoming less literate rather than more. I just can't really imagine a life without books, but most of our population obviously can.

When asked why they did not read books, the answer was usually "Why should I?"

Oh well ... back to the Internet!

I find these numbers to be incredible. Could you site your specific source on the net?

Touchstone · Post by **Touchstone** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:01 pm

Lon;1062330 wrote: I find these numbers to be incredible. Could you site your specific source on the net?

Para Publishing - Welcome to Para Publishing

Touchstone · Post by **Touchstone** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:08 pm

Lon;1062330 wrote: I find these numbers to be incredible. Could you site your specific source on the net?

Para Publishing - Welcome to Para Publishing

QUINNSCOMMENTARY · Post by **QUINNSCOMMENTARY** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:28 pm

Touchstone;1062320 wrote: I found the following statistics about book publishing and reading on the Internet.

1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.

42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.

80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.

70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

57 percent of new books are not read to completion.

70 percent of books published do not earn back their advance.

70 percent of the books published do not make a profit.

Despite this sorry state of affairs about 120,000 books are published each year in the U.S.

However the consensus is that we as a nation (USA) are becoming less literate rather than more. I just can't really imagine a life without books, but most of our population obviously can.

When asked why they did not read books, the answer was usually "Why should I?"

Oh well ... back to the Internet!

A very sad commentary on Americans, but hey, they are all qualified to vote on important issues. Nice to be educated with two minutes in depth reports on the 6:00 PM news.

By the way can you give the source of this information, I'd like to see more on this.

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:46 pm

Touchstone;1062320 wrote: I found the following statistics about book publishing and reading on the Internet.

1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.

42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.

80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.

70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.

57 percent of new books are not read to completion.

70 percent of books published do not earn back their advance.

70 percent of the books published do not make a profit.

Despite this sorry state of affairs about 120,000 books are published each year in the U.S.

However the consensus is that we as a nation (USA) are becoming less literate rather than more. I just can't really imagine a life without books, but most of our population obviously can.

When asked why they did not read books, the answer was usually "Why should I?"

Oh well ... back to the Internet!

The information on people not reading books after college, families not buying or reading a book and the adults not being in a bookstore in the last 5 years just boggles my mind! Perhaps this may be part of what is wrong with the world today................

I do not comprehend how a person would not choose to read. To read something. There is just so much out there.

And to not enter a bookstore! Browsing through books is one of my greatest pleasures. It calms me. It makes me happy. I don't even have to buy a book. Just to look through them is enough. Libraries are also uplifting to my soul.

What depressing statistics!

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:49 pm

Fyrenza;1062325 wrote: wow.

That's sort of awesome...

in a horrible sort of way!

i'm fairly poor, but i buy books by the armloads at the Dollar stores, and have ALWAYS been a regular at whatever Public Library is closest.

Just contemplating never reading another book again is

absolutely mind boggling to me...

Hi Fyrenza. I don't think our paths have yet crossed. Welcome to the Garden.

Check out The Library (column to the left on the Home page) and you may find a number of threads to which you may wish to respond. I'll be looking for your posts. :-6

Love your angels in your signature line.

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:53 pm

QUINNSCOMMENTARY;1062372 wrote: A very sad commentary on Americans, but hey, they are all qualified to vote on important issues. Nice to be educated with two minutes in depth reports on the 6:00 PM news.

.

Isn't that the truth! Why do you suppose so many people choose not to read? People always find time for the things they like.............

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:49 pm

Kindle;1062390 wrote: The information on people not reading books after college, families not buying or reading a book and the adults not being in a bookstore in the last 5 years just boggles my mind! Perhaps this may be part of what is wrong with the world today................

I do not comprehend how a person would not choose to read. To read something. There is just so much out there.

And to not enter a bookstore! Browsing through books is one of my greatest pleasures. It calms me. It makes me happy. I don't even have to buy a book. Just to look through them is enough. Libraries are also uplifting to my soul.

What depressing statistics!

Happily america is not the world. Book sales are booming here and the number of book stores growing again. I don't think you can ignore the impact of the internet though-many people who wouldn't probably bother reading I would be willing to bet read a lot on line. If anything people are becoming less parochial not more so.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:08 pm

Very sad stats, I wish I had more time to read! I read 2-4 books a month.

along-for-the-ride · Post by **along-for-the-ride** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:29 pm

Many Americans are into "instant gratification" and reading takes time and concentration. IMO

I enjoy reading and can't imagine a world without books. Reading to me is like savoring a banquet. It's like going on a trip by yourself into another world.

Those who don't read are missing one of the simple pleasures of life.

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:42 pm

The full statistics set from which those few were very selectively abstracted is actually at http://parapub.com/sites/para/resources/statistics.cfm

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:59 pm

A publishing company.......

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:05 pm

chonsigirl;1062497 wrote: A publishing company.......

A single person in a publishing company who doesn't say where his statistics originated - all he does is give a domain name of where he claims to have picked them up. It's a bit shoddy.

To be perfectly honest, that small clump of statistics in the opening post all stem, according to Mr Poynter, from Jerrold Jenkins - Mr Poynter gives a URL to Mr Jenkins' website - and I can't find Mr Jenkins giving those statistics there at all. Even if I did I find them somewhat unbelievable and I note that they're implicitly contradicted by other statistics on Mr Poynter's statistics page. I find it hard to believe, for example, that "1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives" when the same page tells me that 56.6% of adult Americans said they read at least one book, fiction or non-fiction, between August 2001 and August 2002. The margin there between 56.6% and 66.6% - just a 10% band - is very narrow to fit in the majority of Americans who aren't high school graduates who didn't read a book that year together with all the high school graduates who have read another book but none in that particular twelve months. It's just remotely possible. If it's true, it just goes to show how misleading it is to focus on pre-selected totals which are designed to give a false impression.

From the same page of Mr Poynter we can see that38% of adults in 2006 said they had spent time reading a book for pleasure the previous day.

30% of 13-year-olds in 2004 said they read for fun "almost everyday," down from 35% in 1984.

2004. 56.6% of adult Americans said they read at least one book, fiction or non-fiction, between August 2001 and August 2002 compared to 60.9% ten years prior.

The number of adults engaged in reading literature - defined as novels, short stories, plays and poetry, and a focus of the study - was 46.7% in 2002, down from 54% in 1992 and 56.9% in 1982.

2001: People in the U.S. read an average of more than 14 books each year.which gives a different feel entirely, don't you think? It doesn't give much justification for concluding that "I just can't really imagine a life without books, but most of our population obviously can".

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:37 pm

chonsigirl;1062447 wrote: Very sad stats, I wish I had more time to read! I read 2-4 books a month.

Chonsigirl, with all that you do, I am very impressed that you find time to read that many. Just proves what I've said, we always find time for what is important to us.

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:49 pm

I find it very hard to believe that 80% of Americans didn't read a single book in a year. I believe that 25% would be more likely.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:56 pm

I always try to find at least one book of interest when buying gifts for the kids in the family. My father used to say 'Knowledge is power'. A sentiment i am pleased to say has been passed on down our family. It's lovely when the kids grow and pass their books down to the younger one's. We always date and sign a book given as a gift as my parents did. :-6

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:03 pm

G-man;1062524 wrote: I find it very hard to believe that 80% of Americans didn't read a single book in a year. I believe that 25% would be more likely.

15% of Americans are currently being taught in the school system? You'd think they were obliged to read at least one book each year. Assuming they did and that the statistic is accurate and that children are spread evenly throughout families (a doubtful approximation, I grant you) it leaves sixteen American families in every seventeen reading nothing that year. Isn't it fun what numbers will do if you juggle them?

wildhorses · Post by **wildhorses** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:03 pm

Are you kidding? Everyone reads online now. You can even download books if you want. Electronic reading is just as valuable as reading from paper. Although I do enjoy browsing through books still. And the library has always been one of my favorite places....very peaceful. But the times they are a changing. Soon all books will be electronic. And they will be just as valuable in electronic form as in paper form......and trees will like this change.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:24 pm

6th graders read 3-5 books a year at my school, and sometimes more. They used to allow subject areas to select two books a year also-but the catch was, there are only classroom sets. You cannot send them home to assign chapters for reading to discuss in class. So that cannot happen, you need the time for teaching the curriculum.

(I had my GT science one year read War of the Worlds, we had so much fun)

Kindle · Post by **Kindle** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:20 pm

spot;1062537 wrote: 15% of Americans are currently being taught in the school system? You'd think they were obliged to read at least one book each year. Assuming they did and that the statistic is accurate and that children are spread evenly throughout families (a doubtful approximation, I grant you) it leaves sixteen American families in every seventeen reading nothing that year. Isn't it fun what numbers will do if you juggle them?

Some say that numbers do not lie.

Others say that numbers can be made to say whatever you want.

I say numbers are like politicians.

wildhorses · Post by **wildhorses** » Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:48 pm

Kindle;1062635 wrote: Some say that numbers do not lie.

Others say that numbers can be made to say whatever you want.

I say numbers are like politicians.

They tell you what they want you to believe.

Touchstone · Post by **Touchstone** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:41 am

spot;1062499 wrote: A single person in a publishing company who doesn't say where his statistics originated - all he does is give a domain name of where he claims to have picked them up. It's a bit shoddy.

To be perfectly honest, that small clump of statistics in the opening post all stem, according to Mr Poynter, from Jerrold Jenkins - Mr Poynter gives a URL to Mr Jenkins' website - and I can't find Mr Jenkins giving those statistics there at all. Even if I did I find them somewhat unbelievable and I note that they're implicitly contradicted by other statistics on Mr Poynter's statistics page. I find it hard to believe, for example, that "1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives" when the same page tells me that 56.6% of adult Americans said they read at least one book, fiction or non-fiction, between August 2001 and August 2002. The margin there between 56.6% and 66.6% - just a 10% band - is very narrow to fit in the majority of Americans who aren't high school graduates who didn't read a book that year together with all the high school graduates who have read another book but none in that particular twelve months. It's just remotely possible. If it's true, it just goes to show how misleading it is to focus on pre-selected totals which are designed to give a false impression.

From the same page of Mr Poynter we can see that38% of adults in 2006 said they had spent time reading a book for pleasure the previous day.

30% of 13-year-olds in 2004 said they read for fun "almost everyday," down from 35% in 1984.

2004. 56.6% of adult Americans said they read at least one book, fiction or non-fiction, between August 2001 and August 2002 compared to 60.9% ten years prior.

The number of adults engaged in reading literature - defined as novels, short stories, plays and poetry, and a focus of the study - was 46.7% in 2002, down from 54% in 1992 and 56.9% in 1982.

2001: People in the U.S. read an average of more than 14 books each year.which gives a different feel entirely, don't you think? It doesn't give much justification for concluding that "I just can't really imagine a life without books, but most of our population obviously can".

You really seem to enjoy challenging threads don't you Spot?

You go to a great deal of effort and trouble in order to probably put new members in their place and then spoil it all by couching your correcting/chastising replies in such a way that you are most likely the only person who can understand what you are trying to say!

Touchstone · Post by **Touchstone** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:45 am

G-man;1062524 wrote: I find it very hard to believe that 80% of Americans didn't read a single book in a year. I believe that 25% would be more likely.

Er Spot ... would you please put this guy in his place. He's challenging your statistics!

Or do you only do that to members who have just arrived here?

Post by **spot** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:14 am

Touchstone;1062696 wrote: Er Spot ... would you please put this guy in his place. He's challenging your statistics!

Or do you only do that to members who have just arrived here?

Sunshine, I get called out by newbie punks about once a month, it's a bore. It's the first thing you did when you saw me.

I react to posts, not to people or how long they've been around. Why don't you try addressing the point instead of playing alpha-puppy? It was the "most" in "most of our population obviously can" which attracted my eye.

Touchstone · Post by **Touchstone** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:28 am

spot;1062705 wrote: Sunshine, I get called out by newbie punks about once a month, it's a bore. It's the first thing you did when you saw me.

I react to posts, not to people or how long they've been around. Why don't you try addressing the point instead of playing alpha-puppy? It was the "most" in "most of our population obviously can" which attracted my eye.

ONCE when I was young I was beaten up by an older kid. It never happened again and it sure as hell ain't gonna happen on this Forum ... Sunshine!

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:18 am

I read a few books a week, I have always enjoyed reading.

but I see reading as a hobby, not everyone is going to enjoy it obviously. And I definitely don't think it implies that someone is stupid or uneducated if they don't enjoy reading.

flopstock · Post by **flopstock** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:41 am

I read at least 2 books a week. I'm not above finishing a book and reading it again next week in case I missed something..

But I've generally got a reference book going too... they take longer, because I like to skip around...

My little-one has AR in school and they set goals and grade levels on the books they need to read. She likes getting done before the other kids so that she can spend the rest of the semester reading anything she wants..

But I bet she's up around 3 books a week...

qsducks · Post by **qsducks** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 8:44 am

My kids have to read two books in the summer for school work as it's a requirement, but other than that they all read during the year and Quin has tons of books. Just bought the Baseball Encyclopedia for my son for his birthday and I'm just starting the book "The Secret Life of Bees".