Bookworms in London will immerse themselves in 806 books in a lifetime

Bookworms in London will immerse themselves in 806 books in a lifetime, new research has revealed.

The capital’s most popular book genres include crime (43 per cent), drama (43 per cent) and thrillers (36 per cent) according to new research from eBay UK.

Every year, the average Londoner will lose themselves in 13 books – impressively one fifth (20 per cent) say they read every day.

Rob Moss, managing director, Wordery, eBay UK’s online bookstore, said: ‘”There’s no doubt that we’re a nation of readers, but it’s really heartwarming to see that reading books and getting lost in fiction is still a hobby Brits love to take part in, especially in the days of box sets and instant viewing.

“At Wordery we have an incredible selection of all the latest books, as well as recommendations for when our customers are wanting to try something new but not sure where to start.

“It’s great for us to see people fall in love with new genres and authors, and discover them for the first time.”

Strapped for time

The average Londoner admits to owning at least 11 books which they have not quite reached the end of.

The study also found (44 per cent) don’t get to read as much as they would like to because they are strapped for time, but summer holiday breaks are the optimum time to get your nose into a good book.

Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) said reading on holiday is a good way to relax, 30 per cent said reading helps them get lost in another world, and 44 per cent enjoy a good book as part of making time for themselves.

On average, Londoners treat themselves to three books for a week-long holiday and more than a third (43 per cent) will happily re-read a story on holiday they’ve already enjoyed before.

The average adult from London will get lost inside an exciting tale for 1 hour and 26 minutes a day while on a break, much longer than on an ordinary working day.

The top three spots to read on holiday include a comfy sofa, cosy bed, and of course, beside a pool.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The research also revealed The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the most read book in the UK, according to one third (33 per cent) of Brits, closely tailed by the Da Vinci Code which 30 per cent opt for.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone came in third (29 per cent) despite J.K. Rowling topping the list of preferred authors according to over one quarter of those polled (26 per cent).

It comes as no surprise that the king of Horror, Stephen King was included in the top three authors voted by the nation (28 per cent), not forgetting the classic and well-loved author, Charles Dickens (18 per cent).

Interestingly, when it comes to battle of the sexes there’s a clear divide.

While the top favourite books by women are more of a ‘modern’ classic and include Gone Girl (26 per cent), Girl on the Train (34 per cent), Fifty Shades of Grey (28 per cent), Bridget Jones’ Diary (30 per cent).

And men’s top reads are Nineteen Eighty-Four (28 per cent), Lord of the Flies (23 per cent), Treasure Island (28 per cent) and Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy (21 per cent).

Based on Wordery’s sales, the top best sellers for the summer are The Salt Path by Raynor Winn and Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott’s Can You See Me?

Also in the top 10 are Three Women by Lisa Taddeo and John Grisham’s The Reckoning.

Tilda Molho, Trading Director of Media and Entertainment at eBay, said: “Our online book stores are always incredibly popular, but the roaring trade definitely comes during the run up to the summer months, when we as Brits generally make more time for reading and spending time offline.”

Top 50 most read books by Brits:

1. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
2. The Da Vinci Code
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
4. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
7. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
9. Nineteen-Eighty Four
10. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
11. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
12. Treasure Island
13. The Wind in the Willows
14. The Hobbit
15. The Girl on the Train
16. Jane Eyre
17. The Lord of the Rings
18. Lord of the Flies
19. Wuthering Heights
20. Bridget Jones’ Diary
21. The Catcher in the Rye
22. A Tale of Two Cities
23. Gone Girl
24. Fifty Shades of Grey
25. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
26. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
27. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
28. The Lovely Bones
29. Tales of Huckleberry Finn
30. Murder on the Orient Express
31. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
32. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
33. The Hunger Games
34. Anne of Green Gables
35. The Time Traveller’s Wife
36. The Wizard of Oz
37. Jamaica Inn
38. PS. I Love You
39. Twilight
40. Brighton Rock
41. Life of Pi
42. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
43. The Kite Runner
44. Memoirs of a Geisha
45. American Psycho
46. The Handmaid’s Tale
47. My Sister’s Keeper
48. Me Before You
49. One Day
50. Jack Reacher Killing Floor