Imagine this: the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, a typical Saturday afternoon. You’re weaving through the crowds, and suddenly, you spot a familiar sight – a bookstore. But how many of us actually step inside and walk out with a new read? A recent study by the National Book Council has some surprising answers.

Malta’s Reading Habits in Numbers

The study, conducted among 1,000 Maltese residents, reveals that the average Maltese buys three books a year. This might not seem like much, but it’s a significant increase from the two books per year recorded in 2015. So, are we becoming a nation of bookworms? Not quite yet, but we’re getting there.

Breaking down the numbers, the study found that 58% of respondents bought at least one book in the past year. Fiction tops the list, with 42% of book buyers choosing it as their preferred genre. Crime and thrillers follow closely, with 28% and 25% respectively. Non-fiction, however, is catching up, with 23% of buyers opting for factual reads.

Where and How We Buy Our Books

So, where are we buying these books? The study shows that physical bookstores still reign supreme, with 63% of buyers choosing to shop in-store. Online platforms come in second, with 46% of respondents purchasing books online. Interestingly, e-books are not as popular, with only 17% of buyers opting for digital reads.

But what about our local bookstores? The study found that 47% of book buyers prefer to shop at independent bookstores, while 39% opt for chain stores. Online platforms like Amazon and eBay also make the list, with 31% and 24% respectively. Locally, this means good news for our independent bookstores, which are holding their own against the digital giants.

What’s Stopping Us from Buying More Books?

If we’re buying three books a year, why not more? The study sheds some light on this. The top reasons for not buying more books include lack of time (55%), high prices (48%), and the convenience of other forms of entertainment like streaming services (39%). Interestingly, 28% of respondents admitted to borrowing books from friends or family instead of buying them.

But there’s a silver lining. When asked what would encourage them to buy more books, 52% of respondents said lower prices, while 37% mentioned book fairs and promotions. This suggests that there’s a hunger for reading in Malta, and with the right incentives, we could be buying even more books.

As we look to the future, it’s clear that there’s still work to be done to foster a culture of reading in Malta. But with initiatives like the Malta Book Festival and the increasing number of independent bookstores, we’re moving in the right direction.

So, the next time you’re on Republic Street, don’t just walk by the bookstore. Step inside, browse the shelves, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll add to the growing number of Maltese book buyers.