February 2026

Are you a four percenter?

If you read a book in 2025 -- just one book -- you belong to an endangered species. Like honeybees and red wolves, the population of American readers, Lector americanus, has been declining for decades The most recent survey of Public Participation in the Arts found that fewer than half of Americans have read a single book in the previous 12 months; only 38% had read a novel or short story. A recent study from the University of Florida and University College London found that the number of Americans who engage in daily reading for pleasure fell three percent each year from 2003 to 2023.

This decline is only getting steeper. Over the past decade, American students' reading abilities have plummeted -- 54% of U.S. adults read below a sixth-grade level --and their reading habits have followed suit. In 2023, just 14 % of 13-year-olds read for fun almost every day, down from 27% a decade earlier. A growing share of high-school and even college students struggle to read a book cover to cover. And here's a sad fact: 130 million adult Americans are now unable to read a simple story to their children.

Forty-four percent of Americans didn't read a book last year. But we're guessing you're not among those!

Of these who did read at least one book last year, 27% read between 1-4, 15% read 5-9 books, and19% read 10 or more -- including 9% who read between 10-19, 6% who read 20-49, and 4% who read 50 or more, or, as we call them, "preferred customers."

The nation's top 4% of readers account for reading nearly half the books. And the most popular genres? Mystery and crime (35% of readers), history (30%), biography and memoir (27%), thrillers (23%) fantasy (23%) and romance (23%).

Sources: Adam Kirsch in the Read Today newsletter, and the National Literacy Institute.

This month's Puzzler

On February 1, 1902, this man was born in Joplin, Missouri. He grew up in Lincoln, Illinois, where he was named “class poet” of his grammar school. In 1920, shortly after graduating from Central High School in Cleveland, he published his first poem. He went on to study at Columbia University, but dropped out after his freshman year, in large part because he spent less time studying than he did hanging out in Harlem hotspots like the legendary “Cotton Club.”

In the early 1920s, he continued to write poetry as he travelled the world and bounced around from one low-level job to another. In 1925, while working as a restaurant busboy, he spotted the well-known poet Vachel Lindsay at one of the tables. Summoning all his his courage, he placed a hand-written poem ( titled “The Weary Blues”) on the poet’s table, and then abruptly departed. Lindsay was annoyed at first, but intrigued enough to read the poem. He then summoned the busboy to ask, “Who wrote this?” The young man was expecting to be chewed out, but after he confessed, “I did,” Lindsay not only told him how much he liked it, he also arranged for the two men to meet a few days later.

This week’s Mystery Man went on to become one of a handful of poets, writers, artists, and musicians who spearheaded that great explosion of creativity known as the Harlem Renaissance.

Who was this man? (Answer below)

A bookseller's diary (con't.)

December 26, 2025

I like working in Printed Page Bookshop the day after Christmas. The desperate gift-seekers of two days ago have been replaced with serious readers, and out-of-town visitors have enjoyed being around family about as much as they can stand, so a bookstore is a welcome refuge.

When I opened, a man was walking down the street with both hands gripping an empty shopping bag to the top of his bald head. It seemed vaguely symbolic.

I got in the habit of asking people what was the best book they read in 2025. Answers included Dante's "Inferno," "The Screwtape Letters," "The Happiest Man on Earth" and a kind of crime-sci-fi mashup titled "The Wanton Sluts of Starbase Romeo."

Visitors had some oddly specific requests. Any books on banjo players? How about anything by Virginia Woolf's father? Any books you just want to throw away that I could have?

Two women came in and announced, "We're retired English professors." While I regard that as a noble profession, I didn't quite know what to do with that information. Maybe I should have loudly said, "Hey, everyone! We've got some retired English profs here! Make a hole!"

I asked another couple how they heard of us. "We're from Wisconsin. We were just walking by." I told them I had never heard of someone walking to our store from Wisconsin. In appreciation of their effort, they could have 10% off.

A over-active two-year-old, Charlie, gave his mom and novice shop dog Molly a workout. He darted around the store, pulling books from shelves, climbing over chairs, attempting to kiss Molly on the mouth and cackling all the while, with his mother in full fevered pursuit.

Business was good, and I felt good to know that within the last week, we had exceeded last year's sales.

We can keep going.

As I closed up, a couple were walking by. She had a pint of liquor. He had a can of Coke. They took turns trading them in stride.

'Tis the season.

-Dan

Are You a Book Collector Under 30?

The Kirkpatrick Prize Could Be Yours!

Book collecting isn’t just for the wealthy or the gray-haired — many young readers are building fascinating collections of their own, sometimes just a handful of carefully chosen volumes. The Taylor C. Kirkpatrick Prize for Young Book Collectors celebrates that passion, recognizing the creativity and vision of collectors under 30 — and awarding a $1,000 prize to the winner. Entries are now open!

Created by book lover Taylor C. Kirkpatrick to honor the way most great collections begin — with youthful curiosity and enthusiasm — the prize is now in its sixth year. (Printed Page has been a judge every year. Several of our customers have won.) Previous winners have stood out for their imagination and focus, proving that what matters most isn’t how much you spend, but the unique perspective you bring to the books you collect.

Submissions are now open for the 2026 prize. Apply by April 5, 2026 (11:59 pm) to be considered.

Learn more at kirkpatrickprize.du.edu

Puzzler answer

Langston Hughes (1901-1967)

Thanks to Dr. Mardy Grothe for the use of his puzzler. Visit him at drmardy.com.

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