One in Four Americans read no books last year

One in four adults say they read no books at all in the past year, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Tuesday. Of those who did read, women and seniors were most avid, and religious works and popular fiction were the top choices.

Thought this was interesting...here's the article the quote came from. 

Now, the question is out of those remaining 75%, how many just read Harry Potter books (i'm joking...sorta).

Wow! I can't say I'm suprised, though :(  Few people I know read books, and I read about two a week.

However, I have to raise my hand on the Harry Potter books....b/c I definately read those ;p

And people wonder why so many children cannot read ....

Wow! I would never imagined that high a percentage! I can't think of even one person I know who wouldn't have read a single book in the last year.

rdgatewood - nothing wrong with reading HP (even if it's not my thing) if you are reading other books too.  and this isn't anything against Harry Potter...it's just limiting yourself to just one author isn't great.  I love Steinbeck and all, but if I only read Steinbeck, i would be missing out on so much more.

religious works? what does that mean?

I havent read an entire books for ...several years now. Just lots of other things i would rather do (and yet, i enjoy writing o.O strange).

Hmmm...I wonder how many of those who didn't read a book are using that time on the internet instead of book reading?  At least those who used to be inclined to read books...

Maybe that would solve the pound-loosing mystery. As in:

Q: Why do people still think they loose pounds?

A: Because a quarter of Americans (and I'm not going to be a smugarse Canadian about this, cause I'll bet you we're no better) don't read books.

aasil...I didn't think you had anything against HP :)

Some people just don't enjoy reading....however I can't imagine such a thing.  To me it's like escaping into a different world.

Trustwomen....I wonder if religious works probably means the more "how to find your spiritual yada yada" books....more so than the bible or koran?  *shrug* don't know :p

I have something against HP... poorly written... i can forgive the story, thats taste, but its just really poorly written! There are so many writers out there that write for years and years, perfecting their storytelling and writing.... only to get passed over for a no-one that needed to do some major rewrites....

*throws up in mouth a little bit* That's disgusting. Stupid TV!

Also, Lorik, I'm not sure what HP books you read, but the HP books I read were extremely well written. Especially to be aimed at an 11 year old crowd. Then again, I know that you come on here just to disagree with what other people say, so I won't take it seriously.

Then again, I know that you come on here just to disagree with what other people say, so I won't take it seriously.

Hehehe thats not true!! It just happens to end up that way a lot!! (see? its happening now! Im disagreeing with you because i actually do disagree, not because im trying to! I cant help it!!)

the books are very well written for the age, i dont read them mainly coz i think reading is for failures at life, yes you know who you are readers!  But what proof of the story being poorly written?

What's the big deal about reading books, specifically?  I read magazines, the newspaper, internet articles...what benefit have I lost by not actually reading a book.

And, given that I read all sorts of books two years ago, doesn't it all average out? :D  I don't think I've read any books from last August to this August.

...and besides:  Why read HP when you can just watch the movies? :D

I wonder if so few people read because they just don't have time.  I mean I used to read constantly.  I'd finish a book in 2 to 3 days and be on to my next novel, but now with college and working 2 jobs...finding time to read is almost impossible, when you're also trying to find time to sleep, eat, exercise, and spend time with family and friends.

lol..before life happened I had a lot of free time...now...not so much.



and as far as the continuing HP discussion.....I <3 HP...the movies don't even hold a candle to the books lol

kaym, sorry, but that's crap.  "I don't have time" is the biggest excuse of our generation; it fits for reading, exercise, buying decent food and cooking and eating it, playing, all the good things that people everywhere everyday find time to do.

i'm in grad school, and i work.  i read all the time, and i squeeze in a novel every chance i get. 

before i was in grad school, i worked full time.  i read at least two or three books a month.

i've always had time for family, friends, food, sleep, yardwork, laundry, etc.  and plenty of TV, too.

Personally I read all the time.  A mixture of novels, biographies, articles etc.  My husband doesn't like to read.  He is much more of an active person and does not enjoy sitting down for extended periods of time to engross himself in a book.  He does however read.  He is extremely literate and intelligent.  But I don't think he has read a book in the last 12 months.

And for the record...pgeorgian, I don't think it is necessary to jump down someone's throat if they say the don't have time.  You don't know them, nor do you know their schedule.  At this point in her life, she really may not have the time for reading.  She never said she didn't have time to exercise etc.  It is all about prioritizing your life.  What is the most important things I need to accomplish and focus my time on.  For her right now it isn't reading. 

Personally, I just can't grok this either. I may not read "the classics" but at least I read, a mixture of books, but mostly fantasy, but reading is reading.

I have not read a real book in years either. I don't enjoy reading. I find it boring even a good book. My mind tends to wander and I start to think about other stuff besides what the book is about. I can read short stories with out a problem. I like scary off the wall short stories Stephen King mostly type reading. If I read at all. I started one of his short story books about 2 years ago and only read like 1/4 of it. Just not my thing I guess. I do read news on Google and such, but that is about it. Just don't like it...