MS READaTHON ‘reading’ survey reveals:
• A nation of bookworms – two out of three read daily
• 65% still opt for hard copy over e-book
• Best time to read is in bed according to 41%
• Two thirds visiting local library
• Budding authors – 44% would like to write a book
The annual MS READaTHON reading survey has revealed that we are a nation of bookworms with 64% of respondents claiming to read daily. One in five people pick up a book at least once a week, with 13% waiting for opportunities like holidays to get stuck into a novel. An overwhelming 95% of people surveyed said that reading gives them pleasure, with two out of three opting to curl up with a book over other forms of entertainment.
When asked about their favourite type of book, over half chose fiction with 38% saying that they will read anything and everything. 7% prefer non-fiction while two out of five people admitted that they have pretended to read a well-known book just to seem more intelligent!
Buy or borrow? 42% say they would rather borrow a book and the library is a regular haunt for one third of those surveyed. A further 31% of respondents occasionally visit the library; however 35% say they do not make use of it at all. 75% continue to buy books regularly with almost one half of respondents saying they have ‘hundreds’ of books at home.
Two thirds of readers said they would be more likely to visit their library if it was café style with comfy seats! Rating their local libraries, 73% said they find it ‘useful’ or ‘very useful’.
And finally, when asked what would people give up if they had to pick one thing? 47% would sacrifice chocolate, 40% would give up TV but only 13%would be willing to stop reading!
At MS READaTHON HQ, we were delighted to see that so many Irish people still enjoy reading so much! Long live books!!