eReading Platforms: eTextbooks at Indiana Univ. and Harris Poll on Adoption of eReaders

A recent Harris Poll found that 15% of Americans use an eReader, up from 8% a year ago. Among those who do not own an eReader, Harris reports that 15% say they will likely buy one in the next six months. What sort of eBooks are being read? From the Harris Poll:

Among those who say they read at least one book in an average year, three-quarters say they read both fiction (76%) and non-fiction (76%) but certain types of books rise to the top in both categories. Among fiction categories, almost half of readers say they read mystery, thriller and crime books (47%), while one-quarter read science fiction (25%), literature (23%) and romance (23%). One in ten read graphic novels (10%) while 8% read "chick-lit" and 5% read Westerns. Among non-fiction categories, almost three in ten readers say they read biographies (29%) while one-quarter read history (27%) and religious and spirituality books (24%). Just under one in five readers (18%) read self-help books, while 13% read true crime, 12% read current affairs, 11% read political books and 10% read business books.

eTextbook Reading Platform at Indiana Universtiy. eBookNewser reports on a survey conducted by Indiana University which has launched an eTextbook program. The survey of students who took courses requiring an eTextbook found that the primary textbook platform was the laptop (63%), with desktop PC coming in a distant second (11%). Tablets and eReader barely even made the list; only about 1% of respondents used them. [JH]