2023 Friends of HCL Reading Survey Results

Black hands holding an open book

How many books are you planning to read in 2023?

Infographic of reading survey results: 51+ - 42%, 31-50 - 22%, 21-30 - 18 %, 11-20 - 15%, 1-10 - 3%
A woman reading a book that covers her face

Is there a genre you’d like to read more of in 2023?

Infographic of reading survey results with stacks of books: Fiction - 48%, Nonfiction - 35%, Mystery - 29%, Biography - 23%, History - 21%, Fantasy - 12%, Science Fiction - 10%, Young Adult Fiction - 10%, Romance - 9%, Poetry - 9%, Graphic Novels - 6%, Essays - 4.63%
Two women reading audio and paper books

How do you like to read your books?

Infographic of reading survey results: Paper Books - 77%, E-Books - 41%, Audio Books - 31%
Young man looking at a tablet

Where do you look for book recommendations?

Infographic of reading survey results: Friends Recommendations - 23 %, Online Articles - 23%, Just Browsing! - 18%, Social Media - 18%, Review Journals - 14%, Library Displays - 4%
Hand picking a book from a shelf

Where do you most often find your books?

Infographic of reading survey results: The Library 77%, Online Purchase - 11%, Local Bookstore - 10%, Borrowing From Friends/Family - 2%
Hands holding books

How do you plan to engage with your literary community?

Infographic of reading survey results: Book Clubs – 43%, Library Events – 39%, Author Talks – 38%, Book Sales – 29%, Writing Workshops – 6%, Poetry Readings – 4%
Illustration of a person reading a book and holding cup of coffee on a blue background

What was the best book you read in 2022?

stack of most popular titles in 2022: "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin "The Sentence" by Louise Erdrich "The Seed Keeper" by Diane Wilson "The Personal Librarian" by J.P. Morgan "The Lincoln Highway" by Amor Towles "The Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr
Illustration of an adult reading to a child

Who influenced you to become a reader?

My childhood best friend – she and I were obsessed with books and would read the same ones and discuss them.

Michaella

The local bookmobile that came to our neighborhood in Fargo.

Lisa

My teachers and parents. 'Book' was allegedly my first word. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Erin
Thank you Friend!

Thank you for your interest in our Friends reading survey!

To find your next favorite read, visit our library’s website today.