The choices are endless — fiction or non-fiction, then, maybe science fiction, a thriller or a chick-lit book? Finally, which author? A recent Harris Poll showed that Americans are reading, but what are they reading? And, who are their favorite authors?
Among those who say they read at least one book in an average year, eight in ten have read a fiction book in the past year (79%) while a similar number say they have read a non-fiction book (78%). Among those who read fiction, almost half (48%) read mystery, thriller and crime books, while one-quarter read science fiction (26%) and literature (24%). One in five say they read romance novels (21%) and one in ten have read graphic novels (11%) in the past year. Less than one in ten read chick-lit (8%) and western (5%) books, with 36% saying they read other types of fiction.
Among those who read non-fiction books, three in ten read histories (31%) and biographies (29%) with one-quarter (26%) reading religious and spirituality books. Lesser numbers have read political books (17%), self-help books (16%), current affairs (14%), true crime (12%) and business (10%) books in the past year. Three in ten (29%) have read another type of non-fiction book.
hese are some of the findings of the Harris Poll, conducted online between August 9 and 16, 2010, among 2,775 online U.S. adults ages 18 and over.
What are different groups reading?
There are some small differences by generation in types of books read. Echo Boomers (those aged 18-33) are more likely than other generations to read literature (42%) and graphic novels (18%). Matures (those 65 and older) however, are more likely to read mystery, thriller and crime novels (61%) and westerns (9%). There are also some gender differences. Women are more likely than men to read mystery, thrillers and crime novels (57% versus 39%), romance (37%) vs. (3%), chick-lit (12% vs. 4%) and religious books (30% vs. 21%). Men, on the other hand, are more likely to read science fiction (32% vs. 20%), history books (40% vs. 23%), political books (25% vs. 10%), and business books (16% vs. 4%).
Favorite author
Regardless of the types of books people read, certain authors are perennial favorites. America’s favorite author is the “King” of horror and suspense – Stephen King. He’s followed by a very prolific mystery writer, James Patterson and then legal thriller author, John Grisham. Rounding out the top five is Nora Roberts, who also writes as J.D. Robb at number four and Tom Clancy at number five.
Another horror and suspense writer, Dean Koontz is at number six, followed by the queen of romance, Danielle Steel at number seven and then the author who helped bring the genre of “biblical thriller” to the forefront, Dan Brown. Tied in the ninth position are two authors who have created extensive fantasy worlds – J.K. Rowling with the world of Harry Potter and J.R.R. Tolkien, who brought hobbits to life for millions.
So What?
The authors on this list make publishers very happy. Most publish fairly routinely, usually guaranteeing a best-seller. But these authors have all been around for quite some time (and one is dead), so publishers may need to be on the lookout for the next great, and prolific, writer. But regardless of who that is, at the moment Dan Brown and Stephen King still make American readers rush to get their latest releases.