Exploring the unexpected connections that shape our lives
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"Connections and Why They Matter"
Most of what happens in our life will spark a connection. Life connects with what has been found in books. Books connect with what happens in life. Use the connections to help you see more clearly. A love of reading and writing is what motivated the creation of this blog. Thank you for coming to the blog.
Nationwide, literacy in the United States remains uneven. As of 2022, 79% of adults were considered literate, while 21% were unable to read at all. Even more striking, 54% of U.S. adults read below a sixth-grade level—evidence that literacy continues to be a pressing challenge.
When it comes to reading habits, the average American completes about 12 books per year. Based on an average life expectancy of 82 for men and 86 for women, and assuming a “reading life” begins around age 25, that adds up to roughly 735 books for women and 684 books for men across a lifetime (according to Literary Hub). For some, this may sound like a rich library; for others, surprisingly few.
On the global stage, reading habits vary widely:
United States – Reads an estimated 275,000 books per year.
China – Reads about 208,000 books annually, accounting for 10% of global book purchases.
United Kingdom – Around 188,000 books read each year.
India – According to the NOP World Culture Score Index, India leads in time spent reading, averaging 10 hours and 42 minutes per week.
Education rankings provide further perspective. The U.S. currently stands 14th in the world for the percentage of 25–34-year-olds with higher education (42%). Just 29% of Americans hold an upper secondary education, among the lowest levels in OECD countries.
These statistics highlight both opportunities and challenges. While reading continues to enrich lives and connect cultures, the numbers remind us of how much work remains in expanding literacy and access worldwide.
