Booksology What to make of the fact that this data stands in sharp contrast to last year’s widely publicized finding that only 16% of Americans reported reading for pleasure?
Differences in study design may be a factor.
- Pew asks yes/no questionswhile the data reported last year was combined from several studies that asked participants to record how they actually spent their time during a specified period.
- Mr. Pugh’s language is broader in scope. Adults ages 18-29 had the highest reading rates last year (78%), and some of that can be attributed to school-assigned reading. Compare this with the specificity of “reading for pleasure” in last year’s report.
- Pugh is setting the bar low. You can answer “Yes” if you have “read all” or “have read all” of the books. on the way” (emphasis mine) So even minimal engagement counts.
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The important point seems to be that the numbers are fairly stable. Professor Pew has been asking this question since 2011, and the share of Americans who report reading some or all books in the past 12 months has remained stable over that time.
You can find more detailed data here.
