The love for reading remains as strong as ever – 64% of English-speaking readers across the world aim to read more books in 2023 than they did in 2022, while only 3% plan on reading less than last year, PR Underground reports. Most readers (32%) read between one to five books last year, 19% read 11 to 20, and just 18% read six to ten books. And, as many as 27% of readers finished over 20 books in 2022. By working to expand their reading selections this year, readers can broaden their horizons and discover new favorites they’d otherwise miss out on.
History, mystery, and biography
When it comes to people’s favorite genres, history takes first place (34%), closely followed by mystery (33%). Biography/memoir rounds out the top three (31%). Science fiction, fantasy, and self-help were some of the other top genres among readers (other fiction (36%) and other non-fiction (34%) were also popular categories). Additionally, favorite genres also tend to differ from country to country. For example, UK readers typically love fantasy novels, while Canadians aren’t so interested in history as a genre.
Embracing top genres
Since people plan on reading more in 2023 than they did in 2022, it only follows that they plan on broadening their horizons and reading more of the top genres. Specifically, 39% of readers plan on reading history this year, 35% will be picking up mystery novels, and 34% will be opting for biography/memoir. Adventure, science fiction, and fantasy are also on peoples’ reading lists this year. Again, other fiction (38%) and other non-fiction (35%) were also chosen by many readers. Canadians, in particular, are looking to read science fiction, while Americans opted for “other fiction”.
Expanding your reading selection
By expanding their book selection, readers can introduce themselves to new titles, genres, and authors. For example, why not try diving into a new genre? Poetry, for example, is an enjoyable and imaginative genre with something to suit any mood – whether that’s joyful, angry, romantic, reflective, sorrowful, satirical, and so on. The many books of Wendell Berry, in particular, are worth checking out. Berry’s a prolific American poet and novelist that infused agrarian themes into much of his work. The Selected Poems of Wendell Berry features 100 poems penned by Berry over his lifetime. The poems are engaging, written in a variety of different styles, and touch on themes of nature, family, and tradition.
Alternatively, reading diverse authors from different countries, religions, and backgrounds is a great way to learn about cultures and traditions from around the world. In addition to helping readers become more knowledgeable about the world, reading diverse authors can also help develop tolerance and empathy. Sequoia Nagamatsu, Kai Harris, and Nikki May are some of the biggest contemporary BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) authors of the moment.
Reading is certainly as popular as ever. By embracing new titles and genres, readers can look forward to broadening their horizons and discovering new favorites in 2023.
