Reveals ThriftBooks 500B Page Challenge
At a Glance
- ThriftBooks launches a national reading challenge.
- 40 % of Americans read no books this year.
- Goal: 500 Billion pages read in a single year.
Launch and Goals
The 500 Billion Page Challenge was unveiled on Wednesday, Jan. 21. ThriftBooks claims that a decade ago, Americans collectively read 500 Billion pages per year-a level the company believes can be restored. According to a study commissioned by ThriftBooks and conducted by Atomik Research, 87 % of U.S. adults say a realistic goal is to read at least three pages per day. If 321 million Americans read those three pages, the nation would surpass 500 Billion pages in a single year.
“Americans didn’t stop loving books – we just got distracted,” says ThriftBooks Vice President of Marketing Barbara Hagen. “The 500 Billion Page Challenge is about helping people reignite their passion with reading in a way that fits real life.”
Reading Habits
A YouGov study on the state of reading in the United States found the median American only read two books last year, with six in 10 Americans saying they read at least one book in 2025. The same study notes that 85 % of U.S. adults find reading an attractive trait in a person, and 54 % say that when they sit down to read a book, they always or often read for a longer period than they had planned.
Barriers and Solutions
Despite the encouraging statistics, 57 % say the hardest part of reading is getting started. A follow-up survey identified the biggest barriers:
| Barrier | % Respondents |
|---|---|
| Too many distractions | 34 % |
| Lack of time | 28 % |
| Low motivation | 16 % |
How to Get Started
Behavioral scientist Jon Levy offers practical advice in an exclusive statement shared with News Of Los Angeles. “Don’t fall into the trap of thinking reading has to be highbrow. You have permission to read whatever you enjoy-manga, comics, romance, YA, cookbooks, memoirs, poetry,” he explains. “It all builds a healthy habit.” He recommends creating a “no-shame shelf” with books you genuinely want to read and choosing the easiest format for you to start: graphic novels, books with short chapters, short stories, whatever strikes your fancy. “If you enjoy it, your brain will come back to it – and when your brain comes back, you read more,” Levy adds. “That’s the point.”
Tools and Rewards
ThriftBooks also offers tools to help readers stay on track. Participants who sign up for the challenge can set personal goals and participate in monthly themes and mini-challenges to earn rewards and exclusive swag. “This isn’t about guilt or giving up screens forever,” says Hagen. “It’s about rediscovering what reading gives us that nothing else does. We lost something valuable in those pages, so let’s get them back, one page at a time.”
Final Thoughts
The 500 Billion Page Challenge represents a bold attempt to reverse a long-standing decline in reading. By setting a realistic daily target, highlighting the benefits of reading, and providing supportive tools, ThriftBooks aims to bring back the joy of books to millions of Americans. Whether you’re a casual reader or a lifelong bibliophile, the challenge offers a low-barrier entry point to re-engage with the written word and help the nation reach its historic 500 Billion page milestone.
