Read Any Good Books Lately?That was an old-time stereotypical conversation starter, as I understand it. And based on a new study, if someone in Iowa were to be asked that question today, the answer would likely be a resounding “yes”.The folks at IowaBets.com decided to look at the states that loved reading the most…they used two data points in coming up with the rankings…library visits per year, and Kindle searches.
Iowa ranked 10th in the nation overall in the list of “States That Love Reading Books Most,” which was released at the time of the recent “National Read A Book Day.”
Iowa was 7th best in the nation when it comes to library visits, and 19th when it comes to Kindle e-book searches. Given my fondness for a book you hold in your hand as opposed to one you read on a screen, I’m quite heartened that we use libraries that much. And given how much I travel around Iowa giving presentations in libraries…we have some fantastic facilities, even in our smallest towns, so I’m glad they’re getting use.
Number 1 in the country in both categories, and therefore tops overall, was Vermont. The only other Midwestern state in the top 15 was Missouri, which was just ahead of Iowa in 8th place overall.
Also worthy of note…no where in that top 15 are the country’s most populous states…no California, New York, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, or Illinois.
So here’s to us…and I’ll stop now so you can get back to reading your book.
