Sydney, Nov 29: Rakuten Kobo has released its annual Kobo Book Report, offering insights into the reading habits of Australians in 2023. The report reveals a surge in reading, with Australians collectively spending nearly 1430 years immersed in books, a notable increase of 119 years from the previous year.
Highlights from the Kobo Book Report:
- Diverse Reading Hours:
- Australians are night owls, with 11 pm being the most popular time for reading nationally.
- Early birds showed a significant increase, with a 33 per cent YoY growth at 5 am.
- Reading peaks at 9 pm in NSW and VIC, 10 pm in SA and QLD, and 11 pm in WA.
- Pop Culture Influence:
- The “Taylor Swift Effect” reached books, with a 659 per cent increase in sales of related ebooks and audiobooks following the re-release of “Speak Now.”
- Unexpectedly, books related to “Robert Oppenheimer” or the “Atomic bomb” saw a 638 per cent sales increase.
- BookTok Impact:
- TikTok’s BookTok influencers played a crucial role in driving book sales, particularly in the fantasy and romance genres.
- Adaptations Drive Reading:
- TV series and movie adaptations continued to introduce new audiences to older books.
- Titles like “A Man Called Ove” and “Red, White & Royal Blue” saw increased sales post-adaptation.
- Genre Exploration:
- Australians diversified their reading habits, with an 81 per cent YoY increase in sales for travel-related books.
- Surprisingly, books on antiques and collectables saw a 16 per cent increase, while health and fitness and mind & spirit genres decreased by 34 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively.
- Top Performing Genres:
- Romance
- Biography and Autobiography
- Mystery
- Business and Economics
- AI Interest Surges:
- Following the launch of ChatGPT4, Australians showed a 152 per cent increase in purchases of AI-related books.
- Kobo Listen Subscription Expansion:
- Kobo expanded its Kobo Plus subscription to include audiobooks, catering to Australians on the move.
- Bestselling Books of 2023:
- Top eBooks include “Lessons in Chemistry” and “Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt.”
- Top Audiobooks feature “Spare” by Prince Harry and “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.
This year’s report showcases Australians’ passion for reading across various genres and formats, reflecting an increased engagement with books in 2023. The data highlights the influence of pop culture, social media, and adaptations in shaping reading preferences and driving book sales.
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