COVID-19 is undoubtedly what’s on everyone’s mind lately. And if you’re reading this blog, at least one of the questions you’re asking yourself about it is: What is its impact on book reading, borrowing, and buying in Canada?
BookNet Canada staff was wondering the same thing and developed a short survey that was fielded from March 30 through April 9, 2020 to 748 Canadians. We asked whether they have read or listened to at least one book (of any format) in the past month; 450 out of 748 respondents said that they had. Of the 450 readers, we found that eight in ten Canadians read or listened to 1-5 books last month. About one in ten read or listened to 6-11 books. Only 5% read or listened to 12 or more books.
Who are these readers?
59% of the readers identify as women, 41% as men
Most respondents are part of the 25-34 age group (26%), followed by those in the 35-44 age group (22%)
Slightly more than half of readers are parents (53% vs. 47%)
43% of them are married
More than half of readers work full time (54%), 16% work part time, 11% are unemployed, 11% are retired, and 7% are students
The majority of readers were currently working from home, social distancing, in isolation, and/or in quarantine (86%)
Leisure time during COVID-19
We asked readers how some of their leisure activities have changed when compared with how they spent their time in February and before. It's no surprise that as most respondents are physically distancing, they're doing more at-home activities.
83% of readers are dining out less than before and 69% of readers are shopping less than before.
Readers are generally listening to podcasts, writing, journaling, meditating, listening to radio shows, and reading magazines the same amount as before.
Activities Canadians are doing more of now
Reading during COVID-19
Of the readers we surveyed, 58% are reading more, 39% are reading the same amount as before, and 4% are reading less. Though 17% are participating in fewer virtual book clubs or reading groups than before.
Respondents commented on how their reading habits and frequency changed (or not):
“[I'm reading] a little bit more as without my commute there is more time."
"I'm reading books that were previously given to me but I didn't have the time to read."
"I am listening to books less, as I listened to them almost exclusively during my commute to/from work. Now that I'm working from home, I don't listen as often."
"I'm buying more books, because I need more entertainment."
Now, 22% are buying more books than they did in February or before, while 15% are buying fewer. When it comes to borrowing, 15% are borrowing more than before, while 20% are borrowing less than before. The majority of readers are buying (63%) and borrowing books (64%) at the same rate as they were before.
The majority of readers aren't reading different subjects now compared with what they read in February and before (62%). But, 22% are reading more informative books, and 16% are reading more entertaining books.
The majority of Canadian readers aren't reading significantly more digital books; only 33% of readers are reading more ebooks and 23% are listening to more audiobooks than they previously did. They're not necessarily reading more print books either — only 36% are reading more print books than before. The majority of readers are reading formats in the same amount as before for print books (55%), ebooks (62%), and audiobooks (70%).
Respondents commented on reading habits and acquisition by format:
"I no longer buy physical books in-store to avoid the risk of catching the coronavirus. I prefer to buy ebooks now."
"I am just starting to be interested in audiobooks."
"I'm reading more books online now because I can't visit bookstores (closed) or the local library (closed) to get print books."
"I order physical books online instead of in-store.”
Where are readers getting their books now? Most of them are using online retailers or apps (43%). After that, popular places include free internet sites (32%), from other people (28%), and the digital catalog of their public library (28%). Two in ten Canadian readers are getting books from a physical bookstore through in-store/curbside pickup or delivery. The majority of people are buying or borrowing from the same places they used before. Readers are also diving into their to-read piles: picking up the books they already owned but hadn’t gotten around to reading yet.
Respondents commented:
“I am definitely getting more ebooks from the library."
"The public library is closed so we have had to find other sources. Costco and Walmart are the easiest and cheapest places for us now."
"I have hundreds of books at home I have to read still, so I don’t need to buy more.”
"I’m waiting till the pandemic is over to get more books."
Over half of readers are most likely to continue buying books for the next while (53%). In comparison, only about one third of readers were unlikely to buy (32%) and 16% will continue to not buy any books.
When we surveyed Canadian readers for our forthcoming annual Canadian Leisure & Reading Study 2020, we found that the top ways readers discover books are by word-of-mouth, bookstores and libraries (tied for second place), and online book retailers. During this pandemic, word-of-mouth continues to be most popular for the discovery of books (36%). Online methods of discovery are more popular now: 35% of readers discover books from online book retailers, 34% discover new books from social media, and 27% discover books from online media. Discovery from bookstores and public libraries are less popular now as browsing in-store/library is off limits (and mostly closed).
Most readers reported these discovery methods to be the same as before the pandemic. However, many commented that they're searching for books more than before, searching online more, and no longer browsing in person.
Respondents commented on recent discovery methods:
“I usually got recommendations from the library staff and word of mouth from friends and bookclubs."
"…more time, more options, allows us to discover what we want to pick up and read.…"
"I'm no longer going into stores and seeing displays... but rather using their website to purchase and deliver to my house."
"I'm just reading books I already own but haven't read yet"
The main platforms readers are browsing are Facebook (74%), followed closely by YouTube (72%); 16% are browsing on Goodreads and a combined 10% of readers are browsing Wattpad, LibraryThing, and 49th Shelf. When we filter platforms to only those who had discovered books from online communities and social media, the most popular platforms are YouTube (93%), Facebook (87%), and Instagram (78%).
Read the second part of this report here.
Here are some other resources and data on surviving and thriving during COVID-19:
Pondering the boom of library ebooks and libraries in general
Changes in Canadians digital media consumption and behaviour
If you're curious about what leisure time and reading experiences were like in 2019 before all this started, the forthcoming Canadian Leisure & Reading Study 2020 has lots of information around the frequency of leisure activities, book budgets, popular subjects, and more. Stay tuned for the study here on the blog or get it straight in your inbox by signing up for weekly or monthly updates.
The BISAC to Thema translator has been updated.