Americans Are Still Reading
Every year, Pew Research conducts a survey of American reading habits. The 2016 results….look pretty much like they have for the last five years. 73% of Americans read a book last year (up slightly from 2015’s 72%) with the average American reading 12 books, though the median number reported was four books. This suggests that those at the top end of the reading curve read a whole lot more than the “average” American.
Younger adults (18-29) are the most likely to have read a book last year than any other age group and those older than 65 are the least likely. After growing sharply earlier this decade, ebook reading has leveled off with 28% of Americans reporting having read an ebook last year.
All in all, the study shows that Americans are reading about as much, and in much the same ways, they have been for the last several years.
Oprah Double Dips
After a prolonged quiet, Oprah has indeed made a second book club pick this fall, tapping Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton. Melton had previously been a guest on Oprah’s show, and when word came that there would be another Oprah pick this fall in addition to The Underground Railroad, many honed in on Love Warrior. It is described as a “spiritual memoir” about revamping her life, marriage, and family that doesn’t shy away from the messiness and difficulty of making real change.
Hero of the Week: Robert Morin
After 50 years of service to the University of New Hampshire as a librarian, Morin left the entirety of his estate, more than $4 million, to the institution, with sizeable earmarks for the library system.
Morin accumulated his estate through patience and frugality: he lived modestly, saved assiduously, and the result was a difference-making bequest. Kudos, Mr. Morin. Hope you found a nice cushy chair in the great reading room in the sky.
Thanks to The Ones by Daniel Sweren-Becker for sponsoring This Week in Books.
As part of the 1% randomly selected for genetic engineering, Cody and James were born almost perfect. And some think that’s not fair. . . .
The government, their school, and even family turn against them, until Cody joins a radical group determined to fight for their rights.
