How many books do we read a year? How much has the pandemic period affected our reading practice? Answers to these specific questions are given by a survey of the Organization for the Collective Management of Works of the Word (OSDEL), presented by the director of Giorgandreas Zannos, in the context of the 19th International Book Fair of Thessaloniki (DEBTH), which opened its doors today.

One of the most important findings of the research is the number of those who read and their quality characteristics. “35% of the Greek population does not read a single book a year. Average readers, who read between one and four books a year, amount to 34%, while only 31% of the population reads more than five books a year.” emphasized Mr. Zannos.

This particular research was carried out in the year 2021 until the beginning of 2022 and is particularly important as the previous one was carried out 12 years ago by the National Book Center (EKEBI). “In relation to the previous investigation, we see the progress that has been made. At the time, 65% said they did not read a single book a year. Last year this percentage decreased significantly, but it is still high, since it reaches 35% of the Greek population”underlined the president of OSDEL.

In relation to the preferences of the readers, first in preference is Greek literature. “Next is foreign literature, the detective novel, psychology, social sciences, etc. The ranking is similar to the previous survey, with the difference that crime fiction has risen in popularity with readers in recent years.”noted Mr. Zannos.

The period of the pandemic had consequences on the practice of reading, most importantly the fact that 44% of the population read more. “This was to be expected, but it is significant that it only concerns regular readers, those who were reading books anyway. On the other hand, 45% did not increase their reading practice, while only 11% decreased it,” said the speaker.

However, according to the research data, word of mouth is the best … advertising for choosing a book from readers. “50% of readers stated that they get information on how to choose a specific book from friends and acquaintances and in fact, in the 16-24 age group this percentage increases even more and reaches 64%”, said Mr. Zannos and added that second bookstores are a source of information for Greek readers. “What has logically changed in relation to a previous survey of 2011, is that now the internet and social networks are included in a much larger percentage of the sources of information”, concluded.

Finally, the president of the Organization for the Collective Management of Speech Projects, sent a message to parents who are raising children to take care from an early age to bring their children close to the book and this because the research documents that the main factors for a person to read are to have grown up in an environment where there are books and there are readers, whether it is the father or mother, or even the grandfather or grandmother.

The OSDEL research is entitled “Readings, readers: The book and its audience in Greece”. It was scientifically directed by the professor of sociology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) Nikos Panagiotopoulos and was presented in the context of the 1st International Professional Program that was inaugurated today at DEBTH.