Gen Z Is Reading More — And Prefer This Surprising Format, Study Says
A new look at the younger generation’s reading habits drew from nationwide surveys conducted in 2020, 2022 and 2025
By Raven Brunner, Published on September 9, 2026 08:40AM EDT
NEED TO KNOW
- A recent study published by Cambridge University Press found that Gen Z has been reading more. Authors Kathi Inman Berens and Rachel Noorda also found that the group is moving towards physical books. The study drew from nationwide surveys conducted in 2020, 2022 and 2025
Digital native Gen Zers are increasingly putting down their screens and reaching for books.
A recent study published by Cambridge University Press found that Generation Z, born 1997 to 2012, has been reading more and prefer an unexpected format.
The study, authored by Kathi Inman Berens and Rachel Noorda, looked into how the reading behaviors of the generation known for its digital practices. The authors found, through nationwide surveys conducted in 2020, 2022 and 2025, that the group is moving towards physical books despite its broad association with the digital world.
Berens and Noorda summarized their findings and takeaways in an article for The Conversation published on Aug. 4.
“Some long-standing, influential studies aren’t designed to capture how Gen Z often reads: multimodally — bouncing between print, e-book and audiobook for the same book — and on web platforms such as Wattpad, Webtoon, Kindle Unlimited, DC Universe Infinite and Marvel Comics online,” they wrote.
Their studies are based on collected data about the generation’s unique reading habits which include text messages, game chats, emails, printed books, manga and fanfiction.
Berens and Noorda stated that their 2025 data found that 66 percent of Gen Z identifies as readers. The number is up 14% from 2022. Additionally, 65% of the group reported to have read at least one print book in the last year, which is a 59% increase from 2022.
Continue/Read Original Article: https://people.com/gen-z-is-reading-more-and-prefer-this-surprising-format-12111726
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