Half of U.K. adults do not regularly read and 24% of young people 16 to 24 say they have never been readers, according to a new Reading Agency survey, the Bookseller reported. The State of the Nation's Adult Reading, conducted with 2,003 U.K. "nationally representative consumers," also noted that more than 27 million U.K. adults are missing out on the benefits of reading more, including reduced stress levels and improved focus.
The survey found that 15% of U.K. adults have never read regularly for pleasure, and 35% used to read but have stopped, with young adults facing the most barriers to reading. Lack of time (33%) and social media distraction (20%) were cited as two of the primary obstacles to reading. In addition, 11% of adults report finding reading difficult--a figure that doubles among young people aged 16 to 24--and 30% of U.K. adults say that they struggle to finish what they are reading. Attention is an issue overall, with 28% of U.K. adults saying they have difficulty focusing on reading for more than a few minutes.
Despite these findings, 59% of respondents said that there are things they want to read. Karen Napier, CEO of the Reading Agency, said, "Lack of time is the biggest barrier to U.K. adults reading more, which makes the summer holidays the perfect opportunity to take time out and read. We would encourage anyone who hasn't picked up a book or audiobook in a while, or who may have lost their confidence, to use this summer break to kickstart their reading habit."
Lorraine Kelly, broadcaster and ambassador for the Reading Agency, commented: "The Reading Agency's new research shows a worrying trend: fewer and fewer adults are reading for pleasure. As an author, I've seen firsthand how stories can change lives, spark imaginations and create connections. The Reading Agency is dedicated to helping every adult access these benefits to create a society where everyone can thrive."
---
Fernand Ernster, who has run the Luxembourg bookshop chain Librairie Ernster since 1989, is stepping down as the CEO of the company and handing the reins to one of his sons, 30-year-old Paul Ernster, who will become the fifth generation to head the family business, the Luxembourg Times reported.
"I'll be 65 next March. It seems like a good time to take a step back. The idea is to retire within a year," said Fernand Ernster, who took over the company from his own father.
The transition to handing over the day-to-day running of the company to Paul Ernster was implemented over the past few months. He has been active in the Ernster group for six years, becoming increasingly independent, the Luxembourg Times noted.
Fernand Ernster recalled that his great-grandfather Pierre opened the first bookshop in 1889: "He was a teacher who wrote books for his pupils. He opened the shop in order to sell these as well as other books."
The company operates nine bookstores and a stationery shop. "We regularly receive offers to open new locations. We're always on the lookout for the right opportunity," Fernand Ernster said. "But our ambition is not to open 100 stores, or to stifle the competition as some people have tried to do in the past.... The business has changed a lot over the years."
Paul Ernster noted that the business also runs a wholesale bookshop, an e-commerce site, a distributor for certain publishers, and a publisher of other works, particularly children's books in Luxembourgish. The family has just bought Domino, the only toy shop in Luxembourg city center.
---
A bookseller dog haiku from Patch at the Bookshop at Queenscliff in Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia:
I'll be bookshop dog!
I'll never be bookshop dog.
I can't help yapping.