Who reads? How do they read? #e-books #audiobooks

Seventy-five percent of Americans sixteen and older, according to a Pew Internet survey, said they've read a book in 2012.  That's a decrease of three percent from 2011.  Eighty-nine percent of the readers said they read a print book.  Thirty percent of the readers said they read an e-book.  Seventeen percent said they listened to an audio book. (According to the survey, readers read a median of six books.)

What does it all mean?

To me, it means that if you want to reach readers, you have to have your book available in multiple formats.  As technology continues to advance, and readers purchase more smart devices, we -- authors -- risk the possibility of losing, or not even attracting some readers, if they can't get our books the way they want to receive them.

We've all heard about print vs e-books for years.  But, I think what surprised me about this survey was the increase in audio books (increased from thirteen percent to seventeen percent.) As our schedules get tighter, and time becomes more precious, will audio books be the new trend?

I still love curling up with a good book (print or e-book.)

What do you think?

(If you want to read more about this survey check out http://libraries.pewinternet.org.)