Americans Read an Average of 15 Books a Year

What does it mean to be an above-average reader if you're in the United States? It means you read more than 15 books a year! A study from the Pew Research Center found that, on average, Americans went through 15 books in the past 12 months. That included printed and e-books. Who knew that we're a nation of readers?

Image via http://undergroundnewyorkpubliclibrary.com

The same Pew Research Center study revealed that 89 percent of U.S. readers age 16 and older read a printed book; 30 percent read an e-book; and 17 percent listened to an audiobook. More women (81 percent) than men (70 percent ) read a book within the past year, according to the study. Also, reading declined with age: 90 percent of 16- to 17-year-olds, 80 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds, 77 percent of 30- to 49-year-olds, 72 percent of 50- to 64-year-olds, and 67 percent of those age 65 and older read books within the past year, revealed the study. I wonder if 16- to 29-year-olds read more because they're more likely to be in school and thus are assigned books to read for class; too, they tend to have more free time during which to read. I assume the percentage drops for 30- to 64-year-olds because of the time that child-rearing takes up. And perhaps the numbers further drop for seniors because of physical ailments that get in the way of reading, such as diminished eyesight, arthritis, or some other condition. Still, this is a very intriguing set of data on readers in the United States.

Lastly, the study showed that a whopping 75 percent of Americans age 16 and older read a book within the past year. As someone who is working her way through library school, I find this bit of information to be very reassuring!

To see all of the results from the Pew Research Center study, go to THIS LINK.

In Case You Were Wondering...

Image from the Hillsdale Free Public Library (Hillsdale, NJ) Facebook page.

Call for Papers on Librarian Stereotypes

When someone says the word "librarian," what do you think of? Most envision a shushing spinster wearing sensible shoes, her grey hair pulled tightly in a bun and glasses perched on the end of her nose. How does this common perception affect people's attitudes toward libraries and the library profession? This question and more will be addressed in a forthcoming book titled Beyond the Bun: Librarian Valuing Through Perception and Presentation. The editors of this book are now accepting papers on the topic of librarian style, stereotypes, and image.

A library associate who works at a public library in Washington, D.C.

Nicole Pagowsky, instructional services librarian at the University of Arizona, and Miram Rigby, social services librarian at the University of Oregon, are accepting abstracts and proposals that cover - but aren't limited to - the following issues:

How the historical and current underpinnings of demographics in the profession impact stereotypes and how to overcome these when attempting to attract more diversity to the profession.

The sexuality and sexualization of librarians: how are librarians gendered within librarianship and by others? How do race and age tie in to these notions?

How have librarian demographics evolved in relations to diversity? Where are the pitfalls, and where have gains been made? What is needed for the future?

Does the "trendiness" of librarians impose additional expectations? Does it diminish what users expect? Does it attract users?

Do users truly judge librarians based on what they wear? Are they more open to library instruction or reference service if librarians look a certain way?

How does the public's perception of librarians impact programming efforts, and is programming one way to reverse negative stereotypes through action? How can this be accomplished?

The deadline for these papers is February 1, 2013. Send abstracts and proposals of up to 500 words and a brief author's statement to libwardrobebook@gmail.com. Those who submit papers will be notified by April 2013. Final manuscripts of 1,500 to 5,000 words will be due August 1, 2013. For more information, go to THIS LINK.

The above photograph is from http://librarianwardrobe.com.

Tattoos Inspired by the Writing of J.R.R. Tolkien

One of my favorite literary quotes is "Not all those who wander are lost." These words are from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring, and they resonated enough with some people that they had them permanently inked on their flesh.

Image from http://www.flavorwire.com/356303/20-amazing-j-r-r-tolkien-inspired-tattoos/view-all

Whether it's excerpts from one of the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings, lines of Elvish, or maps of Middle Earth, hardcore fans of J.R.R. Tolkien are getting elaborate tattoos that pay tribute to their beloved author.

http://www.flavorwire.com/356303/20-amazing-j-r-r-tolkien-inspired-tattoos/view-all

The folks at Flavorwire selected "20 Amazing J.R.R. Tolkien-Inspired Tattoos" for a recent article. Some of these tattoos are really quite beautiful, like this rendering of the White Tree of Gondor. This symbol, which is featured in The Lord of the Rings, makes for an absolutely striking tattoo design.

http://www.flavorwire.com/356303/20-amazing-j-r-r-tolkien-inspired-tattoos/view-all

It's amazing that people are so passionate about an author or a work of literature that they will have sayings or symbols connected to that author or literature be forever made a part of their bodies. That's some serious book love! 

The next time I'm sitting near someone reading a novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, I'm going to wonder if he (or she), underneath the layers of clothing, has a tattoo inspired by this author of high-fantasy classics.

To see all "20 Amazing J.R.R. Tolkien-Inspired Tattoos," go HERE. 

PS. I now want a White Tree of Gondor tattoo!

Yes, Yes They Were

 Image from Rice Lake Public Library's Facebook page.

Great Non-Book Gifts for the Book Lovers on Your List

I'm sure by now, the book lovers you're shopping for this holiday season have given you a list of the reads they want. But if you want to get creative - or if you can't get your hands on that obscure title they want by that author you've never heard of - consider getting them a book-themed gift. Any of the items highlighted by Flavorwire, in its "Christmas Gifts for the Book Nerd Who Reads Everything" post, should go over really well. Like, how cool is this crocheted Stark family? Even if you're not into Game of Thrones, you have to admit this is an awesome gift.



And how about this stacked paperback wallpaper? Doesn't it look great? I love the colors of the titles against the black background and that the paperbacks are classics. The price tag ($198 for one roll measuring 12 inches long by 18 inches wide and covering 18 square feet) is a bit hefty, but this wallpaper from Anthropologie would wonderfully accent any room in your house or apartment, giving it literary flavor that's both vibrant and unique.

If you've ever been to WORD, a cozy and well-curated independent bookstore in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Greenpoint, then you've seen this T-shirt. I want it, and I'm sure the book lover in your life will love it. They'll look great in this shirt that's a flattering shade of blue and features the eye-catching "I Read Books" design by Mike Fusco of M+E. And at $20, it'll be easy on your wallet.

For other book-themed gift ideas - including a vintage Mark Twain beer stein, an "I Would Prefer Not To" Bartleby the Scrivener tote bag, a George Orwell 1984 fleece shirt, and a classy-looking "Recommended Reading" drinking flask ("One size fits alcohol," according to its item description) - check out the Flavorwire article "Christmas Gifts for the Book Nerd Who Reads Everything" HERE.

15 Truly Bizarre Christmas-Themed Books

If there's a book lover in your life who appreciates irony, camp, or just odd things, there's a list that will make shopping for them easier. Publishers Weekly released its list of "15 Weird Christmas Books." Some of the selections are not completely unexpected, considering the zeitgeist, such as It's Starting to Look a Lot Like Zombies! A Book of Zombie Christmas Carols, by Michael P. Spradlin:

 
Yet other books on the list come completely out of left field, which makes them appropriately weird. These include Lawyer's Week Before Christmas, by Joseph Justice, and A NASCAR Holiday 3 ("Four brand-new romances that will send hearts into overdrive this Christmas!"), by Liz Allison, Wendy Etherington, Brenda Jackson, Marisa Carroll, and Jean Brashear:

But there are books on Publishers Weekly's list that I wouldn't mind finding under the tree, like Dawson's Creek: A Capeside Christmas, by C.J. Anders. Sounds like a must-read for fans of the late '90s teen melodrama, a show that was pretty well written and acted, in my opinion.

Other books among the fifteen are goofy (Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book, by Brian Miller, Adam Paulson, Kevin Wool, and Glenn Gontha), funny (Scared of Santa: Scenes of Terror in Toyland, by Denise Joyce and Nancy Watkins), or outright macabre (Santa Claus Is Dead, by Jason Twede). However, all of these books would make memorable gifts for the adorable oddball among your circle of friends or in your family. To see all "15 Weird Christmas Books," go HERE.