Have you observed that the best conversationalists are often readers?
The advantage of indulging in conversation with a book enthusiast is that you always leave with something valuable, whether it be a new piece of information, another perspective, or simply a good time.
Sometimes, as intimidating as it may seem to converse with a well-read person, it is also fun to explore their narratives and reasoning. The knowledge they have gained through reading on different subjects is diverse.
How Does Reading Help The Mind?
Reading has long been considered a means to study or brain exercise (or entertainment in the case of a novel or fiction). However, recent studies have revealed fascinating benefits of reading for the human brain.
Reading for 30 minutes can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve memory. The numerous advantages of reading on the mind and body prove how nourishing reading a book could be.
The benefits of reading regularly are not limited to mental stimulation. It helps a person understand various narratives, enhances focus, and encourages creative thinking. Whether or not you have a high level of education, you may continue to learn through reading.
Platforms like Superprof provide online reading classes for adults and children to students who want to improve their reading skills to incorporate them into their lifestyle as a hobby. With one-on-one tutoring services from qualified instructors and trainers at Superprof, you can reap the extensive benefits of reading regularly.
The Ratio Of Adult Readers In The USA
In the current times, technology has redefined everything, from communication to entertainment and work. The book industry is no exception; with the rise and popularity of the internet and the emergence of electronic reading devices, the ratio of readers in America has declined over recent years.
Moreover, printed books have been taken over by audiobooks and e-books, particularly among the younger generation and working class. The positive aspect of this situation is that it has only served to broaden the readership and accessibility for individuals of all ages.
Despite the ever-evolving trends and technological advancements, reading remains one of Americans' most popular past times. The latest statistical data shows that approximately 750.89 million printed books were sold in units in 2020 in the United States.
According to survey data on American book readers from 2021, the book-reading ratio was 78% among female adults and 73% among male adults. It substantially increased over 67 percent of the findings from two years earlier.
Which US Cities Read The Most?
It is assumed that the most well-read cities in the United States may be major states like Boston due to the presence of Harvard, MIT, or other cities with prestigious institutes, but that's not true.
Surprisingly, the cities that are home to the largest population of book readers are not the states with highly prestigious institutes or huge libraries.
Orange, California
This little town in California lives up to a book lover's dream. Mexican-American heritage infused into the city's 19th and 20th-century architecture transport you to the world of period literature.
With its history well preserved through folk tales and great architecture, Orange is a city in the United States with the greatest number of readers. The town has several fun spots for relaxing and reading and has dedicated literary communities and three public libraries, including various parks, the notable Plaza Park, and Santa De Depot Park.
The annual book events like the Orange County Children's Book Festival and a great local writing community for children make this area even more readers friendly. Additionally, Orange is home to the renowned bookstore The Bookman, where you may find books that are difficult to get elsewhere in the United States.
Madison, Wisconsin
The city of Madison, commonly referred to as "Mad City," tops the list for its high ratio of readers and its mad literacy rate, which is 92.7%. With the occurrence of well-known book festivals like the Wisconsin Book Festival, this city gives residents and visitors a fantastic opportunity to celebrate their love of reading books.
These festivals help young children develop a love of reading by providing free access to books and reading advice. The Wisconsin Book Festival is the reason hundreds of famous writers have visited this city and participated in free events.
The Wise Man's Fear author Patrick James and Laugh, and the World Will Laugh With You author Ella Wheeler Wilcox are two well-known contemporary writers from this town.
With reading spots dedicated to the readers and entertaining book festivals like Literary Women Long Beach Festival of Authors, this city has many treats to offer to the readers.
There are many fabulous reading locations in the city devoted exclusively to readers. This includes bookshop cafes, parks, and libraries.
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city that celebrates literature and art, and culture in the form of festivals. One reason this city has a high readers ratio is the number of famous authors it has produced in the history of American literature.
Renowned authors such as Hisaye Yamamoto, known for Seventeen Syllables and Other Stories, also belonged to Torrance. Spike Jonze, famous for We Were Once a Fairytale and Changers: A Dance Story screenwriter and play writer Quentin Tarantino are amongst a few artistic gems this town has produced.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, a town with a magnificent landscape of skyscrapers set against mountain peaks, is home to the most prestigious research institution in genealogy, the Family History Library.
The city is famed for hosting 17 different book festivals around the year, which is a primary reason it has a 90% literacy rate.
The city is home to a list of famous authors, including Orson Scott Card, author of Ender's Game, The Tales of Alvin Maker, and The Homecoming Saga, and Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The 8th Habit, The Leader in Me.
The other cities that make it to the list of USA's most well-read cities are Seattle, which has topped Amazon's list for the highest number of book purchasers for the second year. Other cities include Portland, Washington, DC, and Denver.
E-books or Print Books, Which Is Better?
The evolving technology has introduced the book industry to new horizons and reading trends.
Recently, a significant reason that keeps people from adopting reading as a hobby is confusion as to which format is better. As a reader, you choose a particular reading format for more than one reason; accessibility, pricing, continence, and, not to forget, your personal preference.
For the working class, audiobooks are a great way to get started, as they are affordable, labor-saving, and less time-consuming. Students can benefit from reading hardcovers as they improve their studying and notetaking skills. PDFs and eBooks are great for people who cannot afford hardcovers
E-books
As an avid reader who wants to read more books, what could be more amusing than the thought of having hundreds of your favorite books at a tap away? One of the reasons E-books have been making waves is how easy it is to carry around an unlimited supply of books on your iPad.
You no longer have to search through different stores or libraries to find that one edition of your favorite book. Everything you want to read is just one click away, and that too at a lower price than a hard copy version.
Audiobooks
Listening to audiobooks offers a wonderful alternative to reading books—a solution that no one could have foreseen ten years ago. The fact that more than 71 thousand audiobook volumes were published in 2020 alone proves the increased demand for audiobooks in recent years.
People who have difficulty concentrating for longer periods of time can greatly benefit from audiobooks.
Printed Books
Even though e-books and audiobooks have brought quite a revolution in the book market, surveys show that printed books continue to reign in the industry even today
According to the poll, in the United States, e-book sales decreased marginally to $983 million in 2019 from the previous year. The market is still dominated by hardcover and paperback books, with sales of $3 billion and $2.5 billion in 2019.
One of the primary reasons for it is the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, the publishing industry magazine Printing Impressions reported that sales increased 8.2% from the previous year to 751 million.
Want To Take Reading Classes In the US With Superprof
As long as there are readers, books will continue to be published. While the tech alternatives to hard copies prevail amongst the younger generation as a reading medium, printed books still remain a popular choice.
Most people in the US have rekindled their lost connection to book reading thanks to the pandemic and the following lockdowns. Now, more people are focusing on instilling reading habits into their children from a younger age.
A popular choice amongst parents to encourage their kids to read more is signing up for online reading classes for kids. Many platforms like Superprof are offering one-on-one online reading lessons from professional teachers and trainers across the US to make reading and learning more fun.
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