Sydney, Feb 7: Australians have embraced digital reading like never before, spending a record 1,455 years reading and listening to eBooks and audiobooks in 2025, according to the latest Kobo Book Report.
The surge, up 1.7 per cent from 2023, reflects shifting entertainment habits, with more readers turning to fiction for emotional depth and escapism.
The report highlights that fiction remains the most popular genre, with Tuesdays at 9 PM AEDT emerging as the preferred reading time.
The year’s most-read eBook was Trent Dalton’s Lola in the Mirror, while the most popular audiobook was Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club.
Romance books, particularly in the contemporary romance subgenre, continued to dominate, offering readers an emotional escape.
Relationship and Sex Therapist Selina Nguyen explains the trend: “Romance books offer a sense of escapism and emotional connection, whether it’s contemporary or fantasy. Using e-readers, people can dive into their favourite genres anytime, anywhere, which helps fuel this surge in popularity.”
Nguyen adds that fictional relationships, especially in fantasy and contemporary romance, are thriving as readers seek emotional depth, adventure, and comfort in their literary choices.
“With fantasy offering thrilling adventures and contemporary romance providing relatable love stories, these books take readers on an emotional rollercoaster without ever having to leave their beds—or even during lunch breaks or daily walks,” she said.
Economic concerns also played a role in reading habits.
Books about games and activities saw a staggering 222 per cent increase year-on-year, as Australians sought budget-friendly ways to entertain themselves.
Meanwhile, cultural events shaped reading choices in unexpected ways.
The upcoming Olympic Games drove a 26 per cent rise in books about the sporting event, reflecting national anticipation.
Similarly, books about global conflicts saw a sharp 82 per cent rise, with eBooks on Palestine drawing significant interest.
The report also found that January 1 was the most popular reading day of the year, with Australians diving into books as part of their New Year’s resolutions.
January, overall, was the busiest reading month.
As digital reading continues to grow, the convenience of eBooks and audiobooks is reshaping the way Australians consume literature, offering a blend of entertainment, education, and emotional connection.
With trends pointing toward fictional relationships, immersive storytelling, and a rising interest in global affairs, 2025 is proving to be another transformative year for the nation’s reading habits.
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