Malta’s Average Book Buyer: 3 Titles a Year
Malta’s Love Affair with Books: A Page-Turning Discovery
Imagine this: every year, the average Maltese person buys three books. That’s not just a chapter in our story, it’s a whole library. A new study by the National Book Council has turned the page on our reading habits, revealing a nation that’s not just literate, but avidly so.
A Tale of Two Cities: Malta’s Bookstores Thriving
From the bustling streets of Valletta to the quaint corners of Mdina, bookstores are thriving. Take Strait Street, once known for its lively nightlife, now home to some of the island’s most charming bookshops. Here, you’ll find ‘Books & Books’, a local gem that’s been turning pages for over two decades. Owner, Tony Cassar, isn’t surprised by the study’s findings. “Malta’s always been a nation of readers,” he says, “We’ve just got more choices now.”
And choices we do have. From the grand Malta Book Festival at the Mediterranean Conference Centre to the cozy nooks of independent stores like ‘The Bookworm’ in Msida, there’s a bookshop for every taste. Even online platforms like ‘Books from Malta’ are booming, delivering literature right to our doorsteps.
From ‘Il-Ktieb Taxi’ to E-Readers: Our Evolving Reading Habits
Remember ‘il-Ktieb Taxi’? The iconic red bus that once toured Malta, bringing books to our doorsteps? It’s a testament to our love for reading, a love that’s evolved with the times. Today, e-readers and audiobooks are as popular as paperbacks. The study shows that while we’re buying more books, we’re also consuming them in new ways.
But don’t worry, print isn’t going extinct just yet. Local publishers like Merlin Publishers and Klabb Kotba Maltin are still printing and binding, keeping our stories alive and tangible. “There’s something about holding a book, turning the pages,” says Clare Azzopardi, author and director at Merlin Publishers, “It’s a tactile experience that e-books can’t replicate.”
So, what’s next for Malta’s bookworms? With three books a year, the sky’s the limit. Maybe we’ll see more book clubs, literary festivals, or even a Malta-based book token system. Whatever it is, one thing’s for sure – we’re not just turning pages, we’re turning a new chapter in our love affair with books.
