The start of a new month means that there's a new issue of Readings Monthly available online and in our shops. Below you can read the foreword from the latest issue – and keep an eye on the blog for more updates and recommended new releases throughout the month!
Last month the Australian Bureau of Statistics released new data that painted an alarming picture of the trend in Australian reading habits. There is a marked decline in regular reading in the younger generations. Earlier this year, Australia Reads released a report into behavioural insights about our reading habits that seems to back up these new findings. There has also been an ongoing decline in children’s book sales that is causing concern among booksellers, publishers and authors.
How does this track against book sales in the Australian market? In March, Nielsen released their annual book sales report for 2024. The headline figures were not as dire as you might expect. Book sales in Australia for the year were the fourth highest on record, and while down 1.3% on 2023, they were well above pre-pandemic levels. Book sales, when looked at over the years, appear to be trending upwards.
It would seem the ABS data and the Australia Reads report contradict the hard data from Nielsen. The figures from Nielsen also contradict the anecdotal evidence that we see around us as technology creates more competition for our attention. I know for me, even though I don’t use social media, a smartphone and streaming services have had an impact on my reading habits. My nieces and nephews have not yet caught the reading bug, and I wonder if that will ever happen given the way technology is advancing so rapidly. It might be that these changes haven’t yet baked in and won’t show up in the sales data immediately. As a bookseller and someone who loves reading, this is something I worry about.
If you’re reading this, then you are certainly a reader and a lover of books. I don’t need to tell you that reading is one of the best ways to spend your time: a simple luxury that can reduce anxiety, bring down blood pressure and help you become a more empathetic, learned and better person. If you read before bed, it also helps you sleep better – what more could you ask for?
So, what are we going to do about it? Recently Creative Australia announced funding for a report to help develop new reader engagement strategies. Australia Reads, led by Anna Burkey, continues to do good work in this field and I encourage you to check out their website. Penguin Random House just announced a $200,000 grant for Australian bookshops to develop initiatives to engage younger readers. All of this helps, but more needs to be done.
We opened our new shop in Chadstone in March and it has been really well received by the local community. We have been amazed by the strength of the Kids’ section, which accounts for close to 25% of the shop’s total sales. I believe that the love of books and reading is very much alive, it just needs to be nurtured.
To help nurture young readers in your life, check out our events program here, explore our curated book guides here, or go into your local shop and talk to one of our expert team!
