2024 Reader Survey – a look at the numbers part 2

Last week, I shared several charts from the 2024 reader survey and today I’m sharing the remaining charts. After that, it’s on to the harder task of analysis.

WHERE READERS ACQUIRE BOOKS

Let’s hear it for libraries and online retailers as the places readers prefer to acquire books.

E-BOOKS OR PHYSICAL BOOKS?

Interestingly, print books remain highly popular. It will be interesting to see how this varies by age group or by number of books read.

AUDIO BOOKS – A NEW QUESTION

I haven’t asked about audio books before (see above). I wonder who the keen audio book users are? And look at the interest in audio books from the library.

FORMAT/DEVICE CHANGES

I’m one of those who reads more e-books than in the past. It has something to do with reading in bed after my hubby has fallen asleep! (PS: ignore the yellow mark that says 75-100%. I have no idea where that came from.)

IMPORTANT STORY FACTORS FOR FICTION READERS

For clarity, choices you might not be able to read are:

• Characters both heroic and human
• Feeling immersed in the novel’s world
• Gaining an understanding of the human condition

Feeling immersed in the novel’s world, superb writing, and authenticity are the top 3 factors.

WHEN CHOOSING A BOOK …

Two most important factors when choosing a book are genre and subject matter. Note that publisher/imprint and length are not considered relevant.

SOURCES OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Friends and favourite book review sites play a significant role when readers are choosing new books. I wonder how this might vary with age or gender.

READING WITH OTHERS

Is reading a solo activity or a social activity? 90% consider reading a solo activity – I suppose this is not surprising! For those who talk about books with others, meeting in person seems to be the favourite.

Let me clarify some of the headings:

• I read books with a few friends and we chat about them in person.
• I read books with a few friends and we chat about them online.
• I participate in one or more book clubs that meet in person.
• I participate in one or more book clubs that meet online.
• I participate in one or more Goodreads reading groups.
• I participate with other readers through a reading app.

WHAT ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA?

Clarifying the headings:

• Discussing books with other readers.
• Consulting a range of opinions before purchasing a book.
• Consulting a range of opinions after reading a book.
• Connecting with the author of a book I’ve read.
• The ability to track my books.
• The ability to vote for my favourites.
• Building new friendships with readers.
• Looking at comments or highlights others have made.
• Adding my voice to book ratings.

My general conclusion is that social media offers some value to readers, but not significant value.

INTERACTING WITH AUTHORS

SURVEY DEMOGRAPHICS

And who participated in the survey? As mentioned earlier, 927 readers responded to the survey. Unfortunately, this was a much lower response rate than the surveys of 2018 and 2015. What else do we know about the participants?

I’ll be back with some analysis:

• do results change with age, gender or location?
• how does 2024 compare with surveys from other years?
• how does fiction or non-fiction make a difference?
• do high volume readers have different views than low volume readers?
• does genre affect results?

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M.K. Tod writes historical fiction. Her latest novel THAT WAS THEN is a contemporary thriller. Mary’s other novels, THE ADMIRAL’S WIFE, PARIS IN RUINS, TIME AND REGRET, LIES TOLD IN SILENCE and UNRAVELLED are available from Amazon, Nook, Kobo, Google Play and iTunes. She can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads or on her website www.mktod.com.