gusamo

I'm not really talking about newspapers or magazines, even though I guess they would count. I am really think more along the lines of books/novels.

I don't think that the percentage would be very high. I would guess that it would be around 10% or less. It is a real shame that people don't read much anymore. I can't think of anyone that I know, other than my mother, that reads for fun.

cokeguy

Shouldn't this be a poll? I would place the percentage closer to 20 or so. But maybe that's just wishful thinking. I'm sure that surveys have been done for stuff like this.

Dan

Samuel

This is a good question. Even looking at the best seller lists it's hard to gauge exactly how many books are being sold. Currently The Da Vinci Code is at the top and it's been what, 40 weeks? Still what does that mean in numbers? Anyway I'd guess somewhere in the range of 15-25% of Americans read for recreation.

Groucho

I think its a lot higher since the "Harry Potter" books hit big.

I do see a lot of people (more than 50%) reading on the train during my commute to and from work.

Cedar

I at first wouldn't say alot, maybe about 10 percent, but then I look at the interest stores like Barnes and Noble have and the crowds that come to the used book sales. There either are many more readers out there than I think or several of us are REALLY making up the difference. I think alot of people read, but don't admit to it because its not thought of as cool.

funkyryno

I think a lot people read, but they just read a lot slower than serious book readers.

My mom is a serious reader who probably goes through 3 or 4 books a week. I know some people who love to read, but usually only read about one or two books a year.

bishop2knight

Here's a story that may shed light on this informal poll:

At lunch the other day, a coworker mentioned his TV was on the fritz and he didn't have the money to buy a new one. He said he went the entire weekend without TV. Everyone was telling him to buy a new one on credit, or to see if anyone had a second TV they could spare.

I chimed in with, "Why don't you just go to the library?"

His response: "I can watch TV at the library?"

Geofferson

I'd say around 30-40%.

cokeguy

That's hilarious, in a really sad sort of way.

Dan

darkside

I honestly know few people that read regularly outside of my wife. The few others I can think of are all female. Of course I live in San Antonio, so that might have something to do with it. When I lived in Austin it seemed like everyone read and people were constantly mentioning new books to me.

cokeguy

Well, isn't San Antonio know for it's lack of recreational reading?

Dan

darkside

I'm pretty sure its in the tourism guide.

Groucho

Well, that surprises me since inside your wife it's too dark to read.

darkside

[rimshot]

Remember to tip your waitress folks.

HistoryProf

8%


if we're lucky.

Blade

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...nguage=printer

So about 41% read more than 10 books a year. A little higher than I thought, although the numbers do seem to be dropping (according to the article I linked.)

Which is a shame, but then reading takes time, and we're all getting busier it seems.

Charlie Goose

I don't think that's what the article is saying. 7% are voracious readers, 59% read less than 10 books a year, so I take that to mean that 34% don't really read at all.

I can't imagine not reading for pleasure, I've been doing it non-stop since I was a child.

Honk!

Blade

"...less than 10 books a year" would include "don't read at all," so I'd tend to disagree with you. The 34% read more than 10 books a year, but not so many as to be considered "voracious" readers, at least that's how it reads to me.

PixyJunket

A pretty good portion of my friends read for recreation.. some of them from boring jobs (call centers) a couple of them are hardcore (reading all the time).. I love to read but my attention seems to be hard to hold at times so I may read a book every month or two, sans Harry Potter.. I smoked that fifth book when it came out!

jayson1017

I'd say the percentage is low.