I grabbed a bunch of magazines from my tower of reading material to browse on the plane. One of them is a New Age-y health magazine called Body + Soul. There’s some strange stuff in there, but I leafed through and got a recipe for baked beans that looks promising, and found on page 26 some interesting statistics:
- Last year, 85% of North American households didn’t buy one single nonfiction book.
- Of those who did purchase one, 90% didn’t read it.
- Combine this data with the statistic that we’ve got our TVs on more than six hours a day, and the author warns, “I’ve never met one massively high achiever who has time to sit in front of the plug-in drug.” **
Instead of watching TV, he says, read.Go out and buy a nonfiction book–or fiction, of course–and read. Think. Learn.Speaking of reading, I started L.L. Barkat’s book Stone Crossings. More on that later.Wait a minute! What am I doing, typing up statistics on my blog while I’m on vacation with my beloved Belgian Wonder? Shouldn’t we be basking in the silence? Or chatting uninterrupted?Never fear. We’ve already enjoyed some uninterrupted conversation.At the moment, he’s napping peacefully on the couch.It’s raining outside, but warm.I can hear the Gulf waters lapping against the sand.I’m digesting some seafood (stuffed flounder).We’re relaxing.Here’s what we saw out the window as we landed:
And here’s what we can see if we step out onto a side balcony:
Tomorrow I’ll make omelettes on the stove in this little efficiency to serve with tea and Pillsbury biscuits, and then, weather permitting, we’ll drag two of those lounge chairs down to the beach and stare at the water.And we’ll read.** I’m assuming that most bloggers are readers who fall into the 15 percent who bought a book and the 10 percent who read it.Do tell:
- How many books did you buy and read last year?
- How about this year–how many have you bought? How many have you read?
Oh my. Those statistics are startling.
How many books did I buy last year? Ahem. I lost count. Maybe 20? And those are just the books I BOUGHT. I also make a weekly trip to the library.
Is that weird? I guess it is, with that statistic in mind.
Who knew??
I pretty much stopped buying books because of the Compact (also influenced by Sara J!). So I only bought maybe two books last year. But I took out LOTS from the library.
How many did I finish? Good question. I begin many, finish few. But not for lack of reading. Just fussy!
Some favorites: Kristin Lavransdatter, Missing Mountains, Water from a Deep Well, Bright Shoots of Everlastingness, The Places in Between.
And I love poetry. I read a lot of it. I even started a new tradition now that my spouse’s job has him getting home so late (and the kids and I don’t have much to talk about because, hey, we’ve been together all day!). I’ve begun reading poetry right after we finish eating. It’s been great. Beautiful language as the sun goes down.
Does it count if you buy a book you’ve already read? You know I love books just for themselves…
{P.S.} And you know they sometimes mysteriously disappear from the bookcases…or get lost in the stacks…
I hardly ever buy books, and when I do they are usually gardening books.
That said, I visit the library weekly for mostly non-fiction (with usually a fiction thrown in for some light reading) , I just finished Barbara Kingsolvers, “Animal, Vegetable, Mineral” as well as Michael Pollan “In defense of food” I’m currently reading “Eat, Pray, Love” and “Plenty” I can’t tell you how many non-fiction books I’ve read this past year but it’s probably well over 40.
I read at least two nonfiction books in the past year, and about 10 to 15 books total. I’m ramping up my reading, as I’d been out of the habit for so many years. It’s sad I don’t have much company, statistic-wise!
Oh, and bought books? Hmm, not as many. I love my library system, although the book sale is a great one and I do partake in that.
I’m a library geek myself. Rarely buy a book, unless it’s for the kids (home school). But it is not unusual for me to be working on 3-4 books at a time. I read a book or three a week.
My kids get to listen to me preach quite regularly on the benefits of reading. Blah blah blah. But it’s true. Readers are leaders, and leaders are readers.
I just had to put that little phrase in there. 🙂
Most of my reading is nonfiction—I would guess 90/10 would be the split. I am definitely in the minority, even among my reader-friends! It’s a lonely road . . .
Although I have made determinations in the past to halt book purchasing and use the library, such resolutions have never stuck. I am still a sucker for buying books. That may be due to all the nf reading—I like to mark my books and keep them for reference. I rarely buy fiction books because aside from Jane and C. S., I know I won’t reread it, so I have no reason to own it.
As for your questions, here are some estimates (my blog’s bookshelf came in so handy!):
– last year, I bet I purchased more than 30 books (plus I received many as gifts—I am so loved!); I have probably read between 20 and 25.
– this year, I have not purchased many, maybe between five and eight (still working on the stack that came as Christmas gifts!); I have probably read about eight (with three in progress!).
[Stretch Mark Mama, loved your readers are leaders, leaders are readers mantra. 🙂 I’ll pass that to my niece and nephews.]
I read a lot! Not as much since my son was born though. I rarely buy books, I think I bought 3 or 4 non-fiction books last year. I read about 19, including the Bible.
I have no idea how many fiction books I read last year. Then there are the blogs, magazines, and newspaper.
This year I’ve bought several books, but most are reference type for cake decorating.
Oh my! I buy books constantly. If I go very long without a book buy, I can’t stand it! (My bookstore lady and I, are, shall we say, very close!) 😉 And they are almost always non-fiction. Although, on vacation I bought TWO fiction books. I just finished one last weekend –“Burning Bright” by Tracy Chevalier. Loved it as it was set in London during the lifetime of William Blake.
My library keeps good electronic record and I was able to pull my recent activity.
Since last spring I took out over 100 books, non-fiction and fiction.
Only about 25 I did NOT finish.
I’m reading “I want that”, by Thomas Hine. It’s the absurd history of consumption.
Which is why I haven’t purchased a non text book in 5 years.
By the way Ann..You just successfully got at least 11 people to assess their reading. Good for you.
I loved the “Leaders are readers” quip too. Just had to say that. (Are writers biased? : )
Oh Lord, please forgive me for the oodles of envy that I am feeling right now towards Ann and her Gulf view!!
Amen.
I don’t know how many books I bought and read last year; it was too long ago. But this year I have bought about 20 and read 5. So far.
I can’t believe those statistics! Everyone I know is always reading books and talking about them, so I had no idea that no one else was.
I actually mark down the books I’ve read so I can remember the titles and authors. Looks like I finished 9 nonfiction books last year (I read more fiction than non). My faves of ’07 would have to include “How to Talk So Teens Will Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk” by Adele Faber, “What Happy People Know” by Dan Baker, and “Made to Stick” by Chip and Dan Heath. I recommend them all!
Enjoy your vacay! I’m sooo jealous. I’m spending the holiday weekend in Northern Indiana with the in-laws, which isn’t quite as romantic (or warm). -Julia 🙂
I was amazed by some similar statistics I heard last year regarding how many books the average American read – I think it was only something like 7 a year! I don’t generally buy many books, but with a hubby in seminary…well, they just tend to show up and I tend to read just about everything I come across. I’d say we buy about 30 books a year (not including our kid’s collections).
I’m more of a library hound. I love just picking up a book off the shelf, taking a chance and finding a new favorite.
Last year, I believe I read 82 books and this year I’m at 33 or 34. I determined about a year ago that I’d much rather read than watch tv. I haven’t regretted it for a second. And there is nothing more gratifying than having my kiddos snuggle up with books of their own for an afternoon of reading.
I am so impressed with all my reader-friend-commenters. I love that you use the library, too. I wonder how that would affect stats?
I buy almost all of my books used or use the library, and I bought a lot last year as I was working on my book. I’m pretty sure I read them all, if you count skimming some sections…what do you think? Can I count skimming sections as reading the whole thing?
I’d guess my count would be about 20.
I believe I’m buying an average of 4 books a month (new and used), how many did I read? Probably half of them, I tell myself that I’m building my library and that one day I will get to read them all. The reality, I’m running out of space and soon will have to give some of them up. Enjoy your time at the Gulf.
This is so fun looking through your comments and getting recommendations! I borrow many many from the library, some I even forget to return until I’ve practically bought it anyway. I buy on Amazon if I really love it, and I borrow from friends. I probably start about 20 a year, and finish about 15. I’m a slow reader because reading a paragraph here and there doesn’t get you through a book very speedily!
Excellent books from 08:
Galileo’s Daughter
Teaching Kid’s Authentic Worship
Pilgrims Progress (read to the kiddos)
The Omnivores Dilema
Well, now that I am a book reviewer, I receive about 2 – 6 books a month–maybe one of those is non-fiction.
I’m currently reading a non-fiction book that I bought just this year. I just ordered another from amazon.
I love nonfiction (specifically Christian discipleship, and parenting, but I’ve read well-written histories etc as well).