Books Around the World
By LindaOH
@LindaOHio (222417)
United States
February 18, 2020 2:13pm CST
At the request of Amber @AmbiePam, I am writing an article answering some of her questions about books around the world.
The most stolen book is the Bible. In 2009 a shop owner in Pasadena, California, reported that the most shoplifted book was House of Leaves by Danielewski. The most stolen books from a library are different. It's the Guinness Book of World Records and the Bible.
The most popular books in the world are as follows:
1. The Holy Quran (Koran)
2. The King James Bible
3. Quotations from Mao Tse-Tung
4. Don Quixote
5. Harry Potter Series
6. A Tale of Two Cities
7. The Lord of the Rings
8. Le Petit Prince
9. Alice in Wonderland, Dream of the Red Chamber, And Then There Were None, The Hobbit
10. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
With the Harry Potter series being #5 in the world, I can just imagine what J. K. Rowlings financial status is!
The most digitally advanced countries in the world are Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK. There was no information as to what country reads the most digital books. The most literate countries in the world are Finland, Norway and Iceland. Countries whose inhabitants read the most are India, Thailand and China.
65% of Americans still prefer the printed word, while 25% prefer e-Books; and the rest prefer audio books.
I couldn't answer all your questions, Amber; but I hope that you and the other MyLot members will find this information interesting.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
11 people like this
12 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Feb 20
Why would anyone steal a bible? They are given out free.
4 people like this
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
18 Feb 20
You did a mighty fine job researching all that information!
I was at a friend’s house all this time, and all we did was to discuss books that we’ve read.
She has a wonderful new one for me, but it’s only on her Kindle.
I prefer paper and read every single day.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
19 Feb 20
I need to get back into reading; but I spend too much time here every day! I used to devour books.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (59761)
• Philippines
18 Feb 20
Real books Audio books and e-books
Just my personal preference.
3 people like this
@Carmelanirel2 (8085)
• United States
25 Feb 20
Wow, I have all 7 of the Narnia books, but I can't seem to find them. I am sure no one had taken them, but I sure would like to know where they are.
2 people like this
@Carmelanirel2 (8085)
• United States
1 Mar 20
@AmbiePam Yes and I really think you would enjoy reading them.
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia ( Boxed Set 7 Books ) [C. S. Lewis] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Chronicles of Narnia Collection 7 Books set by C.S. Lewis.The series revolves around the adventures of children in the world of N
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
18 Feb 20
I haven't been able to concentrate enough to read in about 2 years. I need to start reading. I have a whole bookcase full of books. What distracts me during the day is spending so much time here!
3 people like this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
18 Feb 20
Seems there still are lots of books, but it's so easy to read them on the net now.. Surprising that people steal bibles..
- King James Bible is available online here, together with some other translations - for free,...the literature on this site is available in over 1000 languages..
- King James Bible is available online here, together with some other translations - for free,...the literature on this site is available in over 1000 languages.. 
Read the Bible online, listen, or download. Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is accurate, easy to read.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169477)
• United States
19 Feb 20
I knew that about the Bible being stolen. Much of the other information I did not know. Like others, I do not read as much as I should anymore.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (120760)
• United States
18 Feb 20
This great, thank you! I find stuff like this fascinating. I don't think I would have ever guessed that about The Guinness Book of World Records.
I was talking to someone on mylot the other day about The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. And I probably should have guessed about the Koran since Islam seems to just get bigger and bigger.
Like those 65% of Americans, I prefer the printed word as well - I know digital books may be cheaper, but I like holding the book in my hand.
Again, thank you so much!
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (222417)
• United States
18 Feb 20
You're very welcome. Thank you for your suggestions. I prefer a real book as well.
2 people like this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
19 Feb 20
Here is literature I like to read and listen to..
The Bible offers the best possible advice on life’s most difficult questions. Find out how practical the Bible really is by selecting a topic that interests you.
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
19 Feb 20
It is but I question the Bible getting stolen because most any church or christian person will give one to anyone that wants one. Also The Gideons used to leave one in every motel and hotel room all over the USA and people often packed them when leaving and was not considered stealing. More like given or left for.
I don't know if they still travel around doing that leaving Bibles
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120760)
• United States
19 Feb 20
I was in a hotel in June, and there was no Gideon Bible. If someone took it I would consider it stealing because the next guest would have no Bible to read. It saddens me to think Bibles aren't in hotels anymore, but maybe other hotels have them.
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
19 Feb 20
@AmbiePam I just always thought people take them sometimes and the maid brings another. I don't know. when I worked in those places we sometimes had to replace the gideon Bible in a drawer
