How many books do I read a year?
This sounds like a possible algebraic equation with:
a = the number of books purchased for demonstrations
b = the number of YA books purchased to read and/or share
c = the number of professional books read
d = the number of books reread
e = audiobooks, scripts, shorter print resources
In a simple world:
a + b + c + d + e = the total number of books read.
Do I really keep track of my books?
Not at all!
Can I make a guess? Sure!
Each week I probably read 2-3 kid lit books, 2-3 books for fun (often conspiracy theory books), and 1-2-3 professional books. DISCLAIMER: The professional books are not read from cover to cover all the time. Often a professional book begins with one chapter here or another chapter there and then I dive in and read the rest of the book!
I love to read!
I love to read series books!
I love to read!
I love to read a lot!
So a blog post titled “How Many Books Will You Read Before You Die?” caught my eye. My interest was totally due to the “How Many Books Will You Read?” part of the question. I’m not interested in the last three words (although we have many more widows in my mother’s generation 5 and 0 widowers) because I’m really into living in the here and now (except for when my nose is in a book).
Interesting data categories:
Average reader per year = 12 books per year
Voracious reader per year = 50 books per year
Super reader per year = 80 books per year
Would you be an average reader?
Would you be a voracious reader?
Would you be a super reader?
Would you be an “Extreme Reader”?
As you are thinking about your category, consider the data in this chart.
Retrieved 3.28.17 from Source Here
What do I see in this data?
I think I need to increase my reading drastically. I vote for a book or two EVERY DAY EVERY YEAR! That would be a minimum of 3,650 books every decade or APPROXIMATELY 10,000 books left. That’s better than being a 25 year old, don’t you think?
What books are on your MUST READ list?
How many books a year do you think you read?
How do you keep track?
Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Lanny, Lisa, Melanie, and Stacey for this weekly forum and the #SOLSC that runs from March 1 to the 31st. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here.
My guesstimate = Extreme Reader = 300 books each year
I love to read.
I love to read a lot.
I love to read.
I love to binge read everything an author has written.
I love to read.
Resource - Full 
Wow lots of great data here! Now that I use GoodReads it keeps track of the number of books I read each year and then tells me the percent of my goal that I have completed. It definitely makes me read more, but it makes me think twice before reading a 1,000 page book. But you’re right, I read a TON!
I have used GoodReads but I have also found it to be annoying because it takes time away from my reading. Do I rea!lly want to open up the computer, go to Good Reads, log on, comment? That’s 10 minutes of my life that I would rather spend reading. Not counting books . . . NOT ME!
PS – Shouldn’t a 1000 page book count as two books? Just sayin’
As soon as I clicked, I wondered if rereading would count. So glad it is D! I am rereading Because of Winn Dixie to my class and LOVING IT right now as my 2017-self with 8 year olds for an audience. The time I kept track the best was when I just wrote the books in a list at the back of my notebook. Now I am trying a padlet but realize the photo of the cover and the extra steps to get it on the padlet aren’t a habit yet. So then I don’t always do it. But I do keep reading, just like you, my friend!
Sally, rereading has to count if we EVER ask students to reread. I just reread Because of Winn Dixie last year and saw so much more in it.
My biggest problem with “recording books” would be “and where did I put that list?”
So is it about the reading? Or the “counting”?
I am still trying to figure out where the e came from in the equation!! Math is not my thing — but I think kids would be so engaged with these charts and thinking about themselves as readers. I also think you have to factor in stage of life… Can I count audio books? Does it have to be books? What other texts – blogs, articles, magazines? I think I am further complicating the math equation. Right now — I am reading everything Amy. I am listening to The Hate You Give Us. I am reading The Sympathizer for my book club. I am rereading tons of professional books for the writing I am doing right now. I am listening to Circle with my family (on car trips skiing, college tours etc). I just starting Piecing Me Together on my Kindle. I usually have a lot of books going at one time for different purposes. You gave me much to think about — I look forward to thinking about how to use this with teachers and kids. Have you used it professionally?
Clare
Clare,
The “e” was lost in an earlier draft. Fixed thank you!
Did you see my post about reading goal setting where everything was “stolen” from Julieanne and Steve? I think all of those types/genre need to be discussed within this topic – https://franmcveigh.wordpress.com/2017/01/04/reading-goals-what-do-you-measure/
YAY! Thanks for more book titles!
No, I have not YET used it professionally. Just found it after 5 pm yesterday and couldn’t wait to share my “first draft thinking/wondering”! ❤
I’m also a GoodReads fan–I read 100 books a year and love that I can go back and visit books that I’ve read before and remember what I thought of them, recommend them to others, and reread them if I want. I read a lot of middlegrade–GoodReads reports I read about 40-50 a year, and am also a huge audiobook listener. I’m in the super reader, but not 300 a year like you, maybe next year! Regardless of the exact number, though, I’m glad to be among book enthusiasts. 🙂
Kate,
I probably add an extra book a month by not recording! I can’t wait to see what this will look like in non-teaching years. I believe I will read more but that plan is not yet crafted!
Love the charts and statistics. Don’t know how I would classify myself, but I always have a book going on my Kindle as well as one or two tangible ones as well. I can’t imagine a house without books, yet I know they exist. How sad.
Even this chart reminds me of how I absolutely LOATHE cut points. What if you only read 79 books? I would quickly hand you a 16 page book and say “have at it” as it’s not yet midnight and “YES, YOU ARE A SUPER READER!” LOL
I’m glad to see audiobooks. I tell my students and myself that they count. I get a lot read in my car by listening to audiobooks.
Adrienne,
A book is a book. Sometimes venturing out on a limb into an audio book with a new author or genre is the exact hook that a student needs. Books are critical but I think we need to also be aware that sometime the “crush of the reality of life” means that we need to read in smaller chunks as well – and honor those chunks! IMO, of course 😉
Definitely fun to think about
Thanks, Erin!
Always something for sure! (These are numbers that I like to think a bit about since they are about real reading with choice!)
Love your post. Now that I am retired I aim for a book a day and usually succeed. Great statistics. I use goodreads as well, but don’t comment. I keep track of books as well in my daily calendar.
Bev,
Daily calendar and books – that might be easier. . . more thought retired. YAY! a book a day! You are in the Super Reader category! ❤
I love the charts! So much to think about there–and I also LOVE that you checked NO you don’t keep track of your reading. There are years (or months or weeks or days) I keep track and then there are times I absolutely do not. Like you, I read a lot! And I read a wide variety for all sorts of reasons. What a great post, Fran. Thank you for the afternoon pick-me-up!
Lee Ann,
Always several layers to our thinking. If we are keeping track, why? Does it need to be every month? Or samples?
[…] morning I read Fran’s slice “Books I will read?” and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. She shared some interesting facts and asked some […]
This is great, Fran. Lately, I have been bogged down in the newspaper, which is much too depressing. I always have at least two books going at once. Still, those numbers are distressing. My shelves are overflowing with books waiting to be read!
Luckily, I am not a TV viewer so unless it’s sports or a very few shows, I have more time to read. Hmmm . . . Fortunately I do not have 10,000 books on my shelves YET! ❤
Fun predictions, Fran. Since I’m older, I guess I’d better get going faster! I’ve kept a reading journal for a lot of years, but joined Goodreads when I first heard about it. Since I review books, it’s a help to me personally. Yes, it takes time, but Ifor various reasons I need it. I read a lot, and don’t record everything, keep some memoirs going for a long time, etc. What saddens me are the statistics that share that many people read so little after leaving college. Great post to think about!
Linda,
I want to get some more books in myself, so this gives me an idea of the “pace” I need to set. I see benefits to Goodreads but since I know I have OCD issues, I’m pretty sure that I could really become obsessed with completing the recording on Goodreads!
And yes, I’m just stunned that our younger folks seem to be reading less. I wonder what data they are collecting that supports that statement. I do resort to “trickery” by changing formats so folks have to read during PD. . . not me! PLEASE, let me read! (Don’t read to ME!)
There are many, young and old, who aren’t reading. TV might be part of it. I do wonder if the younger ones don’t take all the possible reading time on their phones? Happy reading!
Oh, I love everything about this post! We have these conversations in sixth grade, especially about what “counts” as reading. Even that young, they have very strong ideas. I wish I was better about counting. I am so inconsistent. I keep trying. LOVE this!!!
Michelle,
This is one area where I also love to share with teachers and students that keeping track is hard. What matters? Well, it REALLY depends on my purpose! ❤
[…] or four weeks. Based on my records thus far for 2019, I believe that I can confirm that I am a voracious reader. But are there other ways to display the data as I think of students who want to […]