A Study on Book Buying Behaviour: Factors Influencing Reading Habits

Abstract

Reading has significant benefits and the culture of reading have proven beneficial in all ages for all civilizations. The revolution of technology has played a transformational role and can boost the efforts in maintaining lifelong learning. Readers nowadays can read on mobile phones, Kindle and Tablets.  Various factors affect the reading habit development of middle school students studying in private schools mainly caused due to excessive use of screens such as mobile, TV and electronic games. These are the major reasons of falling reading habits. For avid readers, different genres like fantasy, mystery, suspense, thriller, non-fiction, memoirs, historical fiction and science fictions seems to attract them and some enjoy middle grade fiction. Most books are bought through recommendations. Sales, freebies, exceptional cover art and recommendations from established authors are also good strategies to promote books. The most common reason why people buy books is the good writing style and ability to hold a reader to complete reading the book. This study focuses on studying the impact of income level and marital status on book buying behaviour. Contrary to the common belief that higher income and single status has influenced book purchasing and reading, the research shows no significant association with level of income and marital status in book buying or reading behaviour. The researchers thereby try to explore other factors that contributes to lower reading habits or lower book buying.