For many Americans, the uncertainty and boredom of the pandemic were escapable in the pages of a book. In 2021, 75 percent of Americans said they read or started at least one book, with the average person reading 14 books.
The percentage of Americans who said they read in previous year has been consistent since 2011, according to annual surveys by Pew Research. Format preferences, however, have changed, and library closures during the pandemic meant some readers opted for e-books over print. Last year, 30 percent of Americans read an e-book, an increase of 5 percent from the previous year, according to the Pew study.
Regardless of the format, reading remains a major form of entertainment, education and at times an escape from real life. However, scientists have also found that reading benefits the brain in terms of both neurological function and emotional wellness.
Studies have found that people who ...
