The Number of Book Readers Dips % ofadults who say they read at least one book in whole or in part in the previous 12 months
Seven-in-ten American adults (72%) have read a book within the past year, whether in whole or in part and in any format, according to a survey conducted in March and April. That figure has fallen from 79% who said in 2011 they had read a book in the previous year, but is statistically in line with survey findings starting in 2012.
Many book publishers, researchers and retailers have wondered whether the introduction of e-books would impact book reading overall or lead to a decline in the number of books read in print. This year’s data show a slight decline in the number of American adults who read print books: 63% of American adults say they read at least one book in print in the past year, compared with 69% who said the same the year before and 71% in 2011.
The Number of Book Readers Dips  | % ofadults who say they read at least one book  | in whole or in part in the previous 12 months  | Read a book  | 79%  | any format  | 76%  | 74%  | 72%  | 69  | Print book  | 65  | E-book  | 28  | 27  | Audio book  | 13  | 12  | 2011  | 2012  | 2014  | 2015  | Source: Pew Research Center survey conducted March 17.  | April 12, 2015 N=1 ,907 adults  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 