SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Everand, a Scribd, Inc. company and the leading destination for millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and more, today released its first State of Reading Report. This is landmark research into the habits, preferences, and beliefs around how and why people read today. The findings in the study of 1,500+ U.S. consumers reveal an intriguing evolution in how people engage with books, showcasing reading as both a deeply personal activity, but also a central force in modern culture. The report also highlights the growing influence of social media on reading habits and the rise of digital formats, especially among younger readers.
Since the first story was carved in ancient stone, reading has been a beloved and timeless tradition. Through shifts in geography, technology, and culture, reading is one of the few aspects that have remained a constant. Today, in a digitally dominated age, Everand’s new data reveals that reading isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving. In fact, it's more influential than ever, evolving into a badge of honor to share with the world–whether through book clubs, social media, or word of mouth.
Why We Read
The results of the study show a growing appetite for reading, the vast majority (94%) of people saying it’s important to them. Half of respondents also reported reading more than last year, and report doing so for stress relief and relaxation. Younger readers noted that reading makes them feel more connected and less alone, pointing to the ways in which reading can bring people together and foster community, especially during a time when social media bans and mental health challenges are on the rise. Furthermore, 95% of people note that they read for entertainment/leisure, and 85% noted the activity makes them feel relaxed, demonstrating the emotional benefits that people associate with reading.
How people read and discover stories is evolving, as evident by the below insights:
- In terms of mainstream appeal, nearly 34% of people think reading has become more popular, with 28% believing social media has influenced reading to a great extent. This is especially true for younger readers, as nearly 60% were more likely to find their next read by using social media.
- People want options: the majority reported enjoying reading in a variety of formats, with 50% preferring a mix of physical and digital books and 57% consuming both audiobooks and ebooks, while just 14% indicated they prefer only reading physical books.
- 61% of readers rely on their ebook/audiobook provider to find their next read.
- Book clubs remain a staple in the reading community, experiencing growth post-pandemic due to digital opportunities. Among survey participants in book clubs, 69% say it helps them discover new books and authors, while 63% feel it connects them with fellow readers.
Additional insights captured in the Everand State of Reading report spotlight the reading habits, preferences, and perceptions of today’s readers:
- Most people oppose book bans, with 83% somewhat or strongly opposed.
- More men than women read for education (58%) or work (28%), citing it makes them feel informed (70%), while women are more likely to feel relaxed by reading.
- Top categories skew towards genre fiction, with Mystery & Crime, Thrillers, and Fantasy being the most popular. In fact, Mystery & Crime is the most popular genre for every age group except 18-24, where it ranks No. 5, and Romance reigns supreme, unsurprisingly as Romance is a beloved and much-discussed genre across social media.
- Genre war and peace: While men's and women's preferences differ on Romance, History, and Sci-Fi, most can agree on drama and suspense: Fantasy, Mystery, and Thrillers are relatively equally consumed across genders.
“Not only is reading as important as ever, but the space it occupies in our lives is way more expansive. Books now reach far beyond the page, inspiring podcasts, TV shows, movies, social media, and more," said Gemma Craven, VP of Brand Marketing and Communications, Scribd, Inc. "At Everand, we believe the best stories are the ones you like, and 84% of consumers in this survey agree with us. That’s why we provide such a large variety of titles; the books people want to read, in formats that fit into their lives, anytime, anywhere, and any way they choose to enjoy them.”
As technology continues to reshape daily life, reading holds a pivotal role as a timeless activity that informs, inspires, and entertains. The Everand State of Reading Report shows how reading has adapted to modern preferences, especially with how people discover and share stories. Everand understands these evolving needs and has recently responded with an enhanced experience with new plan offerings and an expanded catalog so customers can read what they want, when they want, and how they want. Launched in the U.S. in the fall, Everand will be expanding these offerings to other markets in the coming months.
Understanding the current state of reading not only provides a clearer picture of consumer behavior, it offers valuable insights for how publishers, brands, and creators can approach their content in 2025 and beyond.
The full Everand State of Reading Report is available here. To learn more about Scribd, Inc. products, visit Everand.com, Scribd.com, and Slideshare.net.
Survey Methodology: The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of over 1,500 U.S. participants aged 18-64 who self-reported having paid for an audiobook or ebook subscription within the past two years.
ABOUT SCRIBD, INC.
Scribd, Inc. provides access to the written and spoken word across three unique products: Everand™, Scribd®, and Slideshare®. Everand is a destination for stories and knowledge offering millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and more. Scribd hosts millions of documents and makes it easier to find and share knowledge. SlideShare provides millions of presentations and other professional content. These apps are available on iOS and Android devices, as well as web browsers. Everand is also available on Apple Watch.
