It has been suggested that many women are gravitating towards e-readers to hide reading erotica or young adult fiction. Many males claim that they tend to read fantasy and science fiction on their ebook readers. Is this really the case?
In a poll cited by The Daily Mail, 34% of a test group of 1,863 British subjects admitted to having used their e-reading devices to read erotic novels. 57% of the same group of adults said they had used theirs to hide the fact that they were reading young adult literature, like Harry Potter, and 28% to disguise their sci-fi book habit. Overall, 58% of respondents said they use their e-readers specifically to “hide” what they are reading.
e-Readers often do a good job at obfuscating what you are reading more than a tangible book. If you are reading an erotica book on the bus or public transit may people will have a peek or look over your shoulder. With an e-reader you do gain the anonymity factor that many people desire when they are reading books and feeling guilty.
Do you hide what you are reading on your ebook reader? If so, tell us why by dropping a comment below.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
