Malta’s Reading Habits Unveiled: Three Books a Year, Says New Study

Imagine this: the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, the heart of Malta’s capital, on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Bookstores are filled with browsers, fingers tracing spines, eyes scanning covers. Now, imagine this scene happening just once a year, per person. That’s the reality, according to a new study that’s got Malta’s bookworms talking.

Malta’s Reading Habits in Numbers

The study, conducted by the National Book Council, reveals that the average Maltese buys three books a year. This number might seem small, but it’s a significant increase from the two books per year recorded in 2010. It’s a step in the right direction, but it also raises questions about our reading culture.

Breaking down the numbers, the study found that fiction tops the list, accounting for 43% of all book sales. Non-fiction comes in second with 32%, followed by educational books at 17%. Children’s books make up the remaining 8%.

What’s Driving Malta’s Reading Habits?

So, what’s behind these numbers? To understand Malta’s reading habits, we need to look at our culture, our libraries, and our bookstores.

Malta’s cultural scene is vibrant, with literary festivals like the Malta Mediterranean Literature Festival and the Valletta Literature Festival drawing crowds. Local authors like Immanuel Mifsud and Loranne Vella are gaining international recognition, adding to the buzz around Maltese literature.

Our libraries and bookstores also play a crucial role. The National Library in Valletta, with its historic charm and vast collection, is a treasure trove for book lovers. Independent bookstores like The Book Depository in Msida and Books & Books in Sliema offer a curated selection of titles, fostering a sense of community among readers.

Room for Growth: Libraries, E-books, and Language Barriers

Despite the growth in reading habits, there’s still room for improvement. Public libraries, while well-used, could benefit from more resources and modernisation. E-books, too, are yet to gain significant traction in Malta, with only 10% of readers preferring digital formats.

Language barriers also pose a challenge. While English is widely spoken, Maltese is our national language. Encouraging more literature in Maltese could help foster a deeper connection to our cultural heritage.

But perhaps the most significant barrier is cost. Books, especially new releases, can be expensive. Initiatives like the ‘Buy One, Give One’ campaign by the National Book Council aim to make books more accessible, but more needs to be done.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that Malta’s reading culture is evolving. With the right support and initiatives, we could see that average of three books a year grow. After all, as Maltese writer and academic Albert Marshall once said, “A nation that does not read is a nation that will soon be lost.”

So, let’s make a pledge. Let’s aim to read four books next year. Let’s visit our local bookstores more often. Let’s support our local authors. Because every book we read is a step towards a more informed, more connected Malta.