World, Writing, Wealth discussion

I remember seeing somewhere stats that an average is 12 books per person (or maybe it was about American readers?) per year. Take a life expectancy of say 80 years, out of which 75 can be reading ones and a simple math will bring you to a magic number of 900 books per life. Sounds like quite an exclusive club, allowing for millions of books out there, doesn't it?
Of course, there are voracious readers that 'swallow' thousands of books and there are those who never open one..
Do you feel a few hundred books indeed reflects average human lifetime reading capacity or not?

I think I would throw the averages out. Many people read tons of books, some read none. So if you factor in the 0s, it skews the number of books read by people who do read. There may be people answering 'yes' but never finish a book.

I like reading, and tend to normally average about six or seven books a year. As I get older, I find it really hard to read more than several pages at a time, unless the book is really interesting. On rare occasion I may even go through the whole thing in one sitting. I've noticed that when watching movies on computer, I also can't stay glued for more than 10-20 minutes at a time. So when I hear that people are reading less, I find it believable.

Lady wrote: "...And thats why I joined this site! There's too many books out there to NOT read. "

I Agree. It's more motivating to read and then talk about the books with other people. I'm reading much more now that I'm on Goodreads.

Same here, Alex :)

Me, too, Alex, and I've started marking passages in books that appeal to me so that I can discuss them with others.

I find that with college and family I have to make a concerted effort to read for pleasure. it's tough. I think the last 3 years, I've went from 30 to 20 to just 9 last year.

TheLongWait wrote: "I find that with college and family I have to make a concerted effort to read for pleasure. it's tough. I think the last 3 years, I've went from 30 to 20 to just 9 last year."

bummer.

TheLongWait wrote: "I find that with college and family I have to make a concerted effort to read for pleasure. it's tough. I think the last 3 years, I've went from 30 to 20 to just 9 last year."

My memory might be faulty, but I think I've read somewhere that men's reading rate declines with the years, while women's remain quite steady

I have always read lots of books, even as a child. My daughter was the same way. My son, it was difficult to get him to read and even now he has problems as an adult reading for any length of time. Still he read more than most of his friends. My kids read, because I read and I have hundreds of books on the shelves. Also, I read to my kids from birth on up to when they insisted on reading on their own (around 8).

When working and raising my family, I averaged 8 books a month. Divorced and children grown, and now home on disability, I average 150 a year. Being on Goodreads and writing reviews has slowed down my reading. If I skipped all of the reviews, reading author emails, and reading and writing on threads in goodreads, I would probably average 200 a year. The availability of netflix, amazon, hulu, and so on have decreased my reading time since there are so many more options for tv viewing. Reading and TV, for me it's all about escapism.

My daughter is a high school science teacher. At her school in WI every teacher has to have their class read a certain number of minutes per week during class - outside of their textbooks. She get a lot of free books from Baen. Some of the teens care barely read and many have never owned a book.

Lizzie wrote: " I average 150 a year."

wow. @_@

what other kinds of books do you read besides sci-fi? you can read all the new sci-fi that comes out in a year, right?

Lizzie wrote: " My daughter is a high school science teacher. At her school in WI every teacher has to have their class read a certain number of minutes per week during class - outside of their textbooks. She get a lot of free books from Baen. Some of the teens care barely read and many have never owned a book."

is it a high %? is the school district one of the "poorer" ones?

I looked for statistics about older women reading more than men and couldn't find anything. I did find this on an NPR website: ". . . some studies have found that women have more sensitive mirror neurons than men. That might explain why women are drawn to works of fiction, which by definition require the reader to empathize with characters." What do you think?

Lizzie wrote: "I have always read lots of books, even as a child. My daughter was the same way. My son, it was difficult to get him to read and even now he has problems as an adult reading for any length of time. Still he read more than most of his friends. My kids read, because I read and I have hundreds of books on the shelves. Also, I read to my kids from birth on up to when they insisted on reading on their own (around 8)....."

I find myself reflecting back on when I was in school and thinking on why there was an aversion to reading. I can't think of any reason as being definitive, but I try to work out if maybe teachers aren't assigning books that speak to kids. Sorry to the women, but as a high school boy, the Bronte sisters don't speak to me...maybe that's where gender-specific education might come into play, maybe not.

I'm also aware that my generation was the one where we began to see a decline in attention spans. And I can say when you have heaps of homework, last thing you have is the time to read a book that spends pages, sometimes entire chapters just to say nothing happens.

Another factor that I consider is that we in general don't like to be told what to do. When we're introduced to reading early and the books become our choice on our time, we enjoy it, but when we're forced to read books on reading lists or for the class assignment, it becomes a chore. Eventually, we have little to no time for enjoyable reading, because all our reading time is spent on required reading. Eventually we become conditioned to think of books in general in that way and we lose the desire to read on our own when the school work goes away...then again, in high school we couldn't escape forced reading during the summer as they imposed the dreaded reading list during a time we were supposed to get a break from school.

J.J. wrote: "when we're forced to read books on reading lists or for the class assignment, it becomes a chore..."

Agree with this observation. A big reader during school years and a good student, I hated any reading prescribed by the curriculum just because of that..

I have always been an avid reader, preferring to read a book to watching television or playing video games. That said; I still only average about 12 books per year. There are just too many more interesting things to do and places to go.

J.J. wrote :but as a high school boy, the Bronte sisters don't speak to me..

as a female, the Bronte sisters didn't speak to me either. I was lucky in school. I didn't like Shakespeare either. Mark Twain was fun. I did like Great Expectations. Death of a Salesman bored me.

Middle school and high school was the 70s for me and my teachers were young. From Lord of the Flies to Brave New World to Lord of the Rings. I remember writing a term paper on the effect of Star Trek on our culture.

Alex G wrote: "Lizzie wrote: " I average 150 a year."

wow. @_@

what other kinds of books do you read besides sci-fi? you can read all the new sci-fi that comes out in a year, right?

Lizzie wrote: " My daughter..."

No, with indie publishing there is so much new stuff out there, I have a dozen hardcover on my shelf that I haven't gotten to, and many e-books, in the sci-fi genre. I also read mysteries and legal suspense. My career was as a paralegal resulting in authors like Grisham becoming a favorite. Mysteries like Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series are just fun, especially since I grew up in NJ.

My daughter's high school is considered to be economically and status-wise in a poorer, at risk area. One of the grants my daughter received during her college education included her committing to teaching at such schools for a certain number of years. It seems that is not hard to do and a good portion of city schools fit into that category.

While I have always read a lot because I liked it, partially it was the result of being in a strict home with limited television watching and in a world before video games or home computers.

As an adult, reading fiction was my way to escape. Some people take bubble baths; I read in bubble baths. I bought sci-fi books and I borrowed lots of mystery/thrillers from the local library. I used to have a husband, two children at home, a full time job, coached Little League and taught a college class and still read about 75 books a year.

A few years ago, hitting middle aged, being put on disability due to carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and nerve release surgery in both arms being unsuccessful, I became very limited in what i can do, resulting in having to give up my herb garden and yard work, limit my cooking, quit needlework. limit my road trip driving, etc.

I don't have much I can occupy myself with. Reading is escapism and one of the few things I can still do. Those that mention there are so many other things for them to do that catches their attention, I am envious.

Whom would you consider a big reader?

I went back to your original post. 900 books in a lifetime seems a paltry number. How do you define a "big reader"?

The definition would be subjective. For someone who hasn't read a single book, a person that read 50 would probably be a professor. I for myself consider those with 1K + as big readers. As the reading pace is uneven, there could be also ex-readers, readers-turn-writers and other variations -:)

I think a "big reader" would be someone that is reading 200 to 300 books a year which there are quite a few people on Goodreads that have those high numbers. So, if they keep up that pace for years on end, then the lifetime amount is going to be in the thousands for them.

On a personal note, I myself read over a 100 books last year and this year I have my goal set for 110. I am already to 97, so I don't have much farther to go.

I have a few different genres I like (mainly horror) and that is what I read mostly. But there is so many avenues of getting books as I get some from libraries and I just joined NetGalley a few months ago, so my book intake has increased. :)

Marie wrote: "On a personal note, I myself read over a 100 books last year and this year I have my goal set for 110. I am already to 97, so I don't have much farther to go."

Can take my hat off for these remarkable numbers -:)

Nik wrote: "Marie wrote: "On a personal note, I myself read over a 100 books last year and this year I have my goal set for 110. I am already to 97, so I don't have much farther to go."

Can take my hat off fo..."

Thank you, Nik! :)

I read an average of three books a week, but when I look at that number and think about all the books out there, it's a little depressing that I'm not reading more. And that I waste some time reading things that aren't meaningful or worth the time. Do you ever think that there's just not enough time to read everything you want to read?

Scout wrote: "I read an average of three books a week..."

Wow, that's over 150 a year. Taking off another hat and raising my glass -:)

Why do people read so little is what I wonder. For me, even as a 5 year old, I would pick the longest fairy tale I could convince my dad to read. I don't remember ever not liking books, even before the stepmom and life changing when I was 12.

My kids, I read to both of them. But my daughter was 5 years older so she got a lot more of my time, simply because she had 5 years of being an only child and school events started up by the time my son was old enough to enjoy stories. My daughter loves books to include most of my science fiction and a lot of fantasy (not my thing). On the other hand, my son doesn't like long stories and his enjoyment of fiction is limited. But, he will read non-fiction, like the Art of War, or Balthasar Gracian (which for me is only slightly better than Shakespeare's English), and he likes things that are sociological comments - such as how things become popular culture or how groups form. It's not that the latter doesn't interest me, just that I would rather read about some other world with interesting characters, features, and stories.

Of course, when I was working, I read a lot of law, case histories, legal documents, and all the research into subjects that help support a well-written argument, which can be anything from property histories to adults on the spectrum, type of assistance needed, statistics as to abuse of such by guardians who are family members. Never having to read child abuse related documents and research ever again will be to soon.

Anyway, it comes down to 4 thoughts -
1. Read fun stories to kids and they are more likely to want to read.
2. Books in the house sitting on shelves, available, makes a difference. (I can't believe there are kids who have never owned a book in this country.)
3. Maybe men prefer non-fiction compared to females? My dad, 2 husbands, and my son did/do. My daughter, 3 sisters, and myself prefer fiction.
4. Some people read things related to their careers for "fun"; others read for fun to escape the topics in their careers.

Do men read more non-fiction than women?

Scout wrote: "Do men read more non-fiction than women?"

I don't know if the question is do they read more non-fiction than woman of if they just read more non-fiction than fiction.

I just know the men I was surrounded by, from employers (lawyers) to my own family, all the men preferred non-fiction.

You guys want to weigh in here?

Women, as far as I understand, generally read more than men.
I read and prefer mostly fiction over non-fiction, but don't know how representative this is

I also prefer fiction, although I am happy with non-fiction in certain areas. I am part-way through reading a book outlining the decolonization of Africa, which might also be called, how to get filthy rich while your people wallow around in horrible poverty and fear. A hint on how to prevail over your competition: (a) be something like a Colonel, and (b) let the CIA know your competition had ties to the USSR.

I'll stick with fiction, although I see the appeal of non-fiction. I guess I do my non-fiction reading when I do online research on topics that interest me. But a whole book of non-fiction doesn't appeal to me, maybe because everything has already happened and there's no room for imagination. I like to use my imagination.

I will read some non-fiction, usually biographical type. It still allows for the imagination, picturing how things were during someone's life.

I think I have about 20 non-fiction books listed on my books list and half those were paralegal related. The only 2 I remember - one was about a doctor who created the incubator, as part of a sideshow in Coney Island, and the other was on Eviction and poverty which was placed in Milwaukee. Both books were pretty good, but I had received them for free and had to review them; not something I would go out and buy.

I did preorder Spock's biography - can I count that as non-fiction? I am pretty sure he is out there and making peace with the Klingons and Romulans.

Wish I could find an emoticon for "Be Well and Prosper." Maybe \\ //. That doesn't quite do it :-)

Will you make 1k read books and beyond?

I first posted a comment within this discussion on April 11, 2017 (message 15) stating that I averaged reading approximately 12 books per year.

I am now 75-years-old. The average has not changed - still 12 books per year. (Average: 80% fiction & 20% non-fiction).

I have been an avid reader since my teen years and always in the process of reading a book. That said; there are too many other things to do, places to visit, and people with whom to socialize.

To-date, I believe it would be accurate to claim that I have read approximately 745 books.

When I am in reading mode and not diverted by holiday season, illness etc, I can read 3 books a week, mostly fiction. I don't review all the books on Goodreads or other sites.
Having said that, I also am more likely to know when it's time to give up on a book. I used to think I should plow through it, give it a chance especially if it was something that got reviews from the big book review sites, but I feel like I've read enough in my life to know what's worth my time.

Scout wrote: "Wish I could find an emoticon for "Be Well and Prosper." Maybe \\ //. That doesn't quite do it :-)"

🖖

That's it :-)

Nik wrote: "Will you make 1k read books and beyond?"

🖖
I have read over 2,000 books in the past 7 years, which averages 5.5 books a week. Being on disability and living alone allowed me a lot more time to read. The past 2 years, I have read a lot less.

For the 30 years before disability, I read about 2 books a week, mostly Star Trek paperbacks, sci-fi space opera, and legal/medical mysteries.

Most people would consider me to be a "big reader".

At 5.5 books a week, most people would be right :-)

Lizzie wrote: "...Most people would consider me to be a "big reader"...."

Impressive. You are a big reader, indeed!

I read to escape. I no longer remember titles and authors because of reading so many, age, and insomnia. Ocassionally, I end up with a kindle book borrowed and it seems familiar but I don't remember it until I start in on the story.

This year, I have spent more nights eating and drinking than I have reading, with only 50 books read on my list. I think this year is the first time I have read so few books in a year.

When you've read as many books as we have, it's hard to keep track. I sometimes check out a book and, a chapter in, I realize I've already read it.

Scout wrote: "When you've read as many books as we have, it's hard to keep track. I sometimes check out a book and, a chapter in, I realize I've already read it."

I am glad to hear I am not alone. I thought it was just me.

Nope :-)

I have ambivalent feelings about this topic.

I've always considered myself a voracious reader of non-fiction books. I just love to learn about various things, & how to be a better human.

From 2017 to mid-2020, I was very active in various challenges in a few groups on Goodreads. The numbers on my profile show as much (2017: 330, 2018: 835, 2019: 142, 2020: 211).

However, I found myself constantly in a race with myself - only reading a lot of books to be able to brag about the number.

I found I wasn't retaining any memory of what I had read, & was definitely not applying any of the lessons.

So since about August of 2020, I've slowed-down in my consumption. I now read, highlight, study the lessons & go through the questions & exercises in these non-fiction books - for better personal growth. I'm actively looking for things I can apply in my daily, weekly or monthly routines.

But if you want a number, my goal is for 100 a year. Last year I reached around 62. As of today, I'm at 72, so I'll probably reach around 85 for the year.

My projection for this year, is because of this new reading goal I have for myself:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The slower pace is still impressive

I agree, Nik. When someone states they have read 2 to 3 books per day I have to wonder what they are reading and if they are able to absorb the content. I read a variety of topics and enjoy what I read.