Reading Habits in America: Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Didn’t Pick Up a Book in 2023

A recent survey highlights a growing trend among U.S. adults when it comes to reading habits in 2023. Conducted by YouGov in mid-December, the survey revealed that nearly half (46 percent) of the 1,500 adults polled had not read or listened to a book in the past year. While this statistic points to a significant portion of the population not engaging with books, many Americans still made time for reading. Approximately 27 percent reported reading between one and five books, and nine percent said they read between six and ten books. Meanwhile, a dedicated group of avid readers—around 11 percent—boasted an impressive total of 20 or more books consumed in that period.

Among the most popular genres in 2023 were mystery and crime stories, capturing the interest of 37 percent of readers, closely followed by history, which was the preference of 36 percent. These genres dominated the reading landscape, appealing to a broad swath of the population. On the other end of the spectrum, poetry emerged as the least-read genre, with only 8 percent of readers picking up a poetry book that year. Interestingly, men were slightly more inclined to read poetry than women, with 9 percent of male readers engaging with the genre compared to 6 percent of women. Poetry also appeared to be more favored among younger readers, particularly those aged 18-29.

As National Read a Book Day approaches on September 6, this survey offers a snapshot of the current reading habits across the U.S., sparking reflection on the importance of literature in everyday life.