Individuals who read physical books in public may be perceived as more attractive, a new study indicates. The research, which polled 2,000 adults in Britain, found that nearly half of respondents believe readers are sexier.
The survey, conducted by luxury publisher The Folio Society, suggests that reading is considered one of the most attractive hobbies. This finding emerges as physical book sales in the UK have reached £1 billion this year.
Approximately 40 percent of individuals in the Gen Z demographic (aged 14-29) report that holding a physical book is more important to them in the current digital age. This generation is reportedly purchasing luxury editions of classic literature at an increasing rate.
Further insights from the study reveal that a third of younger individuals view their book selections as an expression of their personality. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z respondents believe that a person's owned books offer a more genuine reflection of their character than their social media profiles.
In response to evolving trends, Instagram has introduced a feature allowing users to share the titles of books they are currently reading.
Tom Walker, Publishing Director at The Folio Society, commented on the findings, stating, "What strikes me about these numbers is not just that people find reading attractive. It is that they trust books in a way they no longer trust other cultural communication signals. A social media profile is something you construct. A bookshelf is something you accumulate. People understand the difference, even if they have never put it into words."