Reading | Emerald Book Club

Number 1 Female Author in the UK

by Admin | Nov 20, 2025 | Authors, Books, Reading, UK

Join me in this post as we discuss UK female authors. There are 78,200 authors, writers and translators in the UK. Out of that number 47000 are female which makes roughly 60%..that makes sense right? lets carry on

UK Female Authors

There are 47,000 female writers, authors and translators in the UK. This makes up 60% of the total number of authors in the UK

The Number 1 Female Author in the UK

Julia Donaldson is the number one female author in the UK based on recent best-seller lists for 2024 and 2025. However, Agatha Christie is considered the bestselling novelist of all time, and J.K. Rowling is one of the most famous and wealthiest authors

By current sales volume: Julia Donaldson is currently the UK’s best-selling author, based on recent performance data.
Historically, by total volume sold: Julia Donaldson has surpassed J.K. Rowling to become the UK’s all-time top author by volume since records began.
Julia Donaldson: Tops recent best-seller lists, especially for children’s books.
Agatha Christie: Known as the bestselling novelist of all time, with billions of books sold.
J.K. Rowling: A globally celebrated author famous for the Harry Potter series and one of the wealthiest authors in the world
For all-time global book sales: Agatha Christie is the bestselling novelist of all time.
For the best-selling book series: J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is the best-selling book series in history

Top UK Female Authors

A list of the top 10 UK female authors often includes classics like Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters, modern powerhouses like J.K. Rowling, and influential contemporary writers such as Zadie Smith and Hilary Mantel. Other notable authors include Agatha Christie, Virginia Woolf, and Mary Shelley

Jane Austen: Author of classics like Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.
Charlotte Brontë: Known for Jane Eyre and her sisters’ Gothic novels.
Emily Brontë: The author of Wuthering Heights.
J.K. Rowling: Creator of the globally successful Harry Potter series.
Agatha Christie: Famous for her mystery novels, including The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.
Virginia Woolf: A modernist writer known for works like Mrs Dalloway and To the Lighthouse.
Mary Shelley: Author of the classic science fiction novel Frankenstein.
Zadie Smith: A contemporary author known for White Teeth and On Beauty.
Hilary Mantel: A historical fiction writer, best known for her Wolf Hall trilogy.
Daphne du Maurier: The author of gothic novels such as Rebecca and Jamaica Inn.

Most Read Book in the UK

by Admin | Nov 20, 2025 | Books, Emerald Book Club, Reading, UK

The “most read book” in the UK can be interpreted in different ways, but based on popularity, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is cited as the most read as of a 2024 YouGov poll. However, based on all-time sales and other polls, The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is often considered the favorite, with the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling being the best-selling book series overall.

By popularity (2024 poll)

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was the most popular fiction book, with 68% of adults saying they have read it

By all-time sales and fan favorite

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien was voted the UK’s favorite novel in the BBC’s Big Read poll.

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is the best-selling book series, with titles like Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone frequently topping sales charts.

Other popular and important books

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell is a classic and a frequent contender for top spots in both popularity and sales lists.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee remains highly read, partly due to its inclusion in school curriculums.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, commonly known as A Christmas Carol, is a novella by Charles Dickens, first published in London by Chapman & Hall in 1843 and illustrated by John Leech. It recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. In the process, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

The Average Number of Books Read per Year

by Admin | Nov 18, 2025 | Articles, Books, Reading

Do you have a reading target each year or do you just pick a book randomly? I had a target of one book per week once upon a time. It went well for a few months I must say. I know..no excuses right? i must get back into hardcore eading habits. Warren Buffet himself spends hours per day reading: what is my excuse..or yours..lets stick with yours for now…

The average number of books read per year varies by country, with the United States at the top with an average of 17 books annually, followed closely by India (16 books) and the United Kingdom (15 books). Other countries with high averages include France (14 books) and Italy (13 books), while many other nations fall below seven books per year, with Afghanistan at the lowest with about 2.56 books

Countries also rank differently when measured by hours spent reading per week, with India, Thailand, and China leading in that metric, which may reflect differences in reading speed or book length

Based on recent data from 2024/2025, the United States and India lead in the average number of books read per year per person, with 17 and 16 books, respectively

Other countries

- Switzerland: 6.9 books
- Taiwan: 6.83 books
- Belgium: 6.76 books
- Singapore: 6.72 books
- Hong Kong: 6.66 books
- South Africa: 6.62 books
- China: 6.61 books
- Japan: 6.2 books
- Afghanistan: 2.56 books

The list of the most-read books of all time includes the Holy Bible as number one and the Holy Quran at number two. The Harry Potter Series, collections of quotes from The Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse Tung (former Communist China Party leader), and Lord of the Rings are several of the other most read books.

What factors contribute to high book reading rates in India, US and UK?

High book reading rates in India and the United States stem from a mix of robust cultural emphasis on education, high accessibility to reading materials (both physical and digital), and significant socioeconomic factors

India

Strong Emphasis on Education and Knowledge: Indian culture places a high value on learning and knowledge, which makes reading a common and popular leisure activity across all age groups. Schools often place high importance on cultivating a passion for books, with regular book festivals (like the Jaipur Literature Festival) and school book weeks.

Growing Middle Class and Literacy Rates: The expansion of the economy has led to a growing middle class with rising disposable incomes, who are more willing to invest in books and educational materials. Combined with consistently increasing national literacy rates, this creates a larger pool of potential readers.
Accessibility and Affordability: The rise of e-commerce platforms has made books more accessible, while the availability of cheap, easily accessible material, especially non-literary fiction, caters to a wide audience.
Diverse Literary Ecosystem: A rich cultural landscape drives demand for vernacular literature and supports local authors, ensuring a wide range of content is available to diverse demographics

United States

High Access and Availability: The U.S. benefits from widespread access to books through extensive library systems, major bookstores, and online retailers. The prevalence of e-readers and e-books further increases accessibility.

Educational System and Literacy: Historically, foundational laws mandated basic education, contributing to a culture of widespread literacy. While literacy challenges exist in some demographics, the overall educational infrastructure encourages reading from a young age, with a focus on literacy skills in schools and among parents.
Demand for Information and Entertainment: Americans seek information, entertainment, and distraction through books, with an increasing desire for comfort and understanding in uncertain times. The availability of diverse genres (fiction, non-fiction, history, mystery) caters to varied interests.
Strong Publishing Industry: A robust and competitive publishing industry ensures a constant flow of new titles, supported by a large market that can sustain demand for niche subjects and popular bestsellers

United Kingdom

High book reading rates in the UK (averaging 15 books per year per person) are driven by a combination of a strong foundational culture of literacy, high book accessibility, and government and charity-led initiatives

Key factors include:

Established Culture of Literacy: The UK has a long-standing emphasis on education and a very high overall literacy rate (around 99%). A strong historical appreciation for literature is embedded in the national culture, with books and reading often valued activities within the home environment from an early age.

Early Exposure to Books: Research consistently shows a significant link between children owning books at home and their likelihood of reading above their expected age level. Early exposure to books in the parental home establishes routines that enhance lifelong reading habits and cognitive competencies.
Extensive Public Library System: The UK has a widespread network of public and school libraries that provides easy and free access to a vast array of reading materials, catering to diverse interests and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Active Promotion of Reading for Pleasure: Numerous government initiatives and charities, such as the National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency, run campaigns and programs to promote reading for enjoyment. Events like World Book Day also help to maintain enthusiasm for reading across the population.
Robust Publishing Industry: The UK has a large and vibrant publishing sector that produces a constant flow of new, diverse titles across all genres, supported by major booksellers and online retailers, ensuring a wide variety of choices for readers.
Socioeconomic Factors: While socioeconomic disparities in reading habits exist, overall higher educational attainment and a large middle class with disposable income for book purchases contribute to the high national average

Survey methods for collecting data on book reading habits across countries

Data on book reading habits is primarily collected through surveys and data analytics from digital platforms, usually initiated by government organizations, industry associations, or market research companies. The methodologies vary by country, leading to challenges in international comparability

Common Survey Methods

The most common Data Survey methods include:

Personal Interviews: These are a dominant method, conducted either in-person or via telephone (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing – CATI). This approach is used by organizations like the Pew Research Center in the US.

Online Questionnaires: Web-based surveys are widely used due to their cost-effectiveness and reach. These often involve self-administered questionnaires.
Mixed-Mode Approaches: Combining different methods (e.g., phone and online surveys, or mail and web) helps researchers achieve better representation across diverse populations.
Time Use Surveys: These surveys ask individuals to report their activities within a specific 24-hour window, which can provide more detailed information on reading duration and reduce recall bias compared to general “how many books” questions. The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) is a notable example

Data from Digital Platforms

Beyond traditional surveys, researchers also gather data through digital analytics:

E-reader Data: Data from e-reading devices (like Amazon Kindle) or library checkouts can offer insights, though this data is often proprietary and difficult to obtain for research purposes.

Social Media Platforms: Researchers have collected data from book-cataloging social media platforms like Goodreads by utilizing their APIs to analyze user-reported reading instances

Sources

Measuring Reading – a European approach to comparability. Gvantsa Jobava June 25, 2021

https://internationalpublishers.org/measuring-reading-a-european-approach-to-comparability

A Global Book Reading Dataset by Nazanin Sabri and Ingmar Weber

https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5729/6/8/83

The decline in reading for pleasure over 20 years of the American Time Use Survey – Jessica K Bone , Feifei Bu , Jill K Sonke , Daisy Fancourt

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12496190

Ranked: Countries That Reads The Most Books, 2024 – CEO World Magazine

Which Country Reads The Most? Average Books Read Per Year By Country – Content Blvd

Average number of books read per year by country – Lectupedia

Reading and the Brain

by Admin | Nov 17, 2025 | Articles, Reading

Have you ever wondered how we recognise words when we read? Are you not fascinated as to how your brain scans, interprets and relates information to you through your eyes? The awesome brain is like your virtual assistant or secretary. In this article I am to discuss about reading and the brain. Various sources have been referred to and are quoted for further reading. Lets Dive In.

Reading reshapes the brain through neural plasticity, creating and strengthening connections, particularly in language and visual areas. This process involves the brain repurposing areas for visual processing and language to recognize letters, sound out words, and understand meaning. Regular reading improves brain connectivity and function, while also offering benefits like stress reduction, improved focus, and memory enhancement

What reading does for the brain

Improves Brain Function: Reading is a form of mental stimulation that can improve memory and language skills, especially when done regularly.

Changes Brain Structure: As reading skills develop, the brain physically changes. Areas that weren’t previously used for reading become more activated, and neural pathways are strengthened through practice.
Enhances Vocabulary: Reading provides context for new words, helping you learn their usage more quickly than through simple memorization

What is the Brain

The brain is a complex organ that acts as the control center of the body, located inside the skull and protected by the cranium. It is part of the central nervous system, along with the spinal cord, and its main functions include processing sensory information, controlling thoughts, emotions, movement, and regulating vital processes like breathing and heart rate. The brain is composed of billions of nerve cells (neurons) and consists of three main parts: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, and the brainstem

How reading changes the brain

Repurposing brain areas: The brain is not pre-wired for reading; instead, it adapts areas for visual processing, language comprehension, and speech production.

Structural changes: Frequent reading can increase the size of areas like the temporal cortex, which is involved in language comprehension, and strengthen white matter tracts that connect language and visual processing centers.

Neural pathways: As a person learns to read, the brain creates specialized neural pathways, such as the “letterbox” (visual word form area), to process written words quickly and automatically.

Neuroplasticity: Reading actively exercises the brain, leading to enhanced neuroplasticity and a more adaptable neural network

How the brain learns to read

Visual Recognition: You see letters and words, and the occipital lobe processes this visual input.
Letter and Sound Mapping: The brain’s “letterbox” identifies the letters. This triggers activity in the parietal-temporal regions, which connects letters to their corresponding sounds.
Meaning Connection: The brain links the sounds to the meaning of the word, a process that relies on networks for spoken language.
Developing Fluency: Through practice, the brain creates a direct connection from the letterbox to the meaning area, allowing for faster processing and more fluent reading.
Instruction’s Role: Explicitly teaching letter-sound correspondences (like systematic phonics) strengthens these neural pathways, making it easier for the brain to build these connections and improve reading skills

Brain regions involved in reading

Occipital Lobe: Initially processes visual information. As you read, it’s involved in recognizing letters and symbols, and the visual cortex here is active even in skilled readers.

Parietal-Temporal Regions: Crucial for decoding words. The parietal lobe helps segment words into their component sounds (phonological processing), while the temporal lobe connects sounds to the meaning of words, often linked with Wernicke’s area.

Frontal Lobe: The inferior frontal gyrus contains Broca’s area, which is important for the production of speech and can be used to “sound out” words.

Orthographic Processor (“Letterbox”): A region in the occipital-temporal area that becomes specialized for recognizing printed words. It stores information about a word’s spelling, pronunciation, and meaning

Health and cognitive benefits of reading

Mental stimulation: Reading keeps the brain active, which can help slow cognitive decline associated with aging.

Stress reduction: Engaging in a book can lower heart rate and ease muscle tension.
Improved focus: Regular reading can improve concentration and attention span.
Memory improvement: Reading has been linked to slowing memory deterioration and improving memory and thinking skills.
Vocabulary expansion: Reading is one of the most effective ways to learn new words

References

Havard Medical School

https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/reading-brain

Reading Rockets

https://www.readingrockets.org/reading-101/how-children-learn-read/reading-brain

National Institutes of Health

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4128180/

How Reading Improves Your intellect

by Admin | Nov 17, 2025 | Articles, Reading

Reading improves your intellect by enhancing cognitive abilities like memory, focus, and critical thinking through the creation of new neural pathways. It also expands your vocabulary, boosts knowledge, and develops comprehension, allowing for better communication and a more nuanced understanding of the world.

Cognitive and brain function

Strengthens brain connections: Reading creates new neural pathways and strengthens existing ones, improving your brain’s efficiency and processing power.

Boosts memory: As you follow plots and recall details, you create and strengthen memories, which improves both short-term and long-term memory functions.

Increases focus and concentration: Following a story requires sustained attention, which trains your brain to focus and improves your concentration over time.

Enhances critical thinking: Reading exposes you to new ideas and different perspectives, which stimulates your ability to analyze information and think critically

Knowledge and communication

Expands vocabulary: Exposure to a wide range of words in context naturally increases your vocabulary, leading to better verbal and written communication skills.

Increases knowledge: Each book you read adds to your general knowledge base, providing information on a vast number of subjects.

Improves comprehension: The act of processing information from text helps you better understand complex ideas and the main points of a text.

Imagination and empathy

Develops creativity and imagination: Reading allows your mind to visualize settings and characters, which stimulates imagination and creative thinking.

Builds empathy: Reading stories can activate the same parts of the brain used when understanding another person’s emotions, helping you to develop empathy.

Benefits of Reading

Vocabulary expansion

Memory improvement

Reduce stress

Reading improves your memory

Improves concentration

Improves creativity

Reading improves literacy

Better sleep

Develop critical thinking

Improved brain connectivity

Reading improves sleep

Reading increases knowledge

Builds empathy

Enhance cognitive skills

Increases intelligence

Mental stimulation

Reading teaches empathy

Stronger analytical skills

Delays cognitive decline

Communication

Improves comprehension

Improves writing skills

The Power of Intellect

by Admin | Nov 17, 2025 | Articles, Reading

The power of intellect is the ability to think, reason, and understand, which allows for problem-solving, innovation, and navigating complex situations. It involves using knowledge and logic to make considered decisions, acting as a crucial regulator that guides actions based on evaluation rather than mere impulse. This capacity for higher-order thinking and generalization enables abstract thought, the creation of complex ideas, and the ability to simplify complex problems

What is Intellect?

Intellect is the human ability to think, reason, understand, and acquire knowledge, especially at a high level. It encompasses reasoning, abstraction, conceptualization, judgment, and critical thinking, allowing a person to discern truth and falsehood and solve complex problems. In a broader sense, a person with great intellectual power can be called an intellect.

Definitions of Intellect

Intelllect is defined as the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially with regard to abstract matter
a : the power of knowing as distinguished from the power to feel and to will : the capacity for knowledge
b : the capacity for rational or intelligent thought especially when highly developed. Miriam Webster

the ability to understand and to think in an intelligent way
Intellect is a faculty of the human mind that enables reasoning, abstraction, conceptualization, and judgment. Wikipedia

Understanding the Power of the Intellect

The mind generates thoughts—images, ideas, goals, and concepts. But the intellect discerns which of those thoughts are worth acting upon. If the mind is like a screen displaying possibilities, then the intellect is the “eye” that watches, assesses, and decides.

Unlike animals, human beings can reflect, evaluate, and refine ideas. This isn’t about academic intelligence. It’s about discernment, creativity, and the ability to simplify complex problems. Our greatest intellectual gift may be the ability to return complexity to its essence.

COTRUGLI BUSINESS SCHOOL

Key aspects of intellect

Mental faculty:

It is the mind’s power to know and understand, distinct from the power to feel or will

Higher-order thinking:

It includes the capacity for rational thought, abstraction, and complex problem-solving that goes beyond immediate perception.

Knowledge acquisition:

It is the ability to think and acquire knowledge, often associated with intelligence, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

Application:

An intellect is a person possessing a high degree of this mental capacity.

Lifelong development:

Intellect can be developed and enhanced through education, experience, and reflection.

In psychology

A person’s intellectual understanding of reality derives from a conceptual model of reality based upon the perception and the cognition of the material world of reality. The conceptual model of mind is composed of the mental and emotional processes by which a person seeks, finds, and applies logical solutions to the problems of life.

Core functions of intellect

Problem-solving and innovation: Intellect provides the ability to identify challenges, analyze them critically, and devise creative solutions.
Discernment: It allows for the evaluation of thoughts and ideas generated by the mind, discerning which are worth pursuing.
Regulating impulses: Intellect serves as a regulator to control impulses and desires, leading to more thoughtful actions instead of impulsive ones.
Abstract reasoning: It is the faculty that allows humans to work with abstract terms, draw conclusions from assumptions, and generalize experiences.
Critical judgment: Intellect enables the discernment of truth and falsehood, as well as higher-order thinking beyond immediate perception.

Developing intellect

Real-world experience: Real-world experience is crucial for intellectual development, as it provides understanding of reality and helps in learning to resolve life’s problems without being overwhelmed by emotion.

Acquiring knowledge: A factually accurate understanding of the world is a key component of a mature intellect.

Collaboration: The historical and modern norm for intellectual work is often collaboration, as seen in scientific and artistic endeavors, where people work together to create something.

How to cultivate intellectual power

Continuous learning: Engaging in self-education is an effective way to stimulate and nurture the intellect.

Creative outlets: Activities like writing, painting, or playing music can spark inspiration and enhance mental health.
Social connection: Forming connections with others who share your interests can be crucial for mental wellness.

Reading and Intellect

Reading is strongly linked to intellect, as it enhances both fluid and crystallized intelligence by building knowledge and improving brain function through neural pathway development. It strengthens vocabulary and comprehension, increases problem-solving skills, and fosters emotional intelligence. While reading can improve intelligence, the ability to read itself is a separate skill from general intelligence, as some individuals with superior intellect may struggle with specific reading challenges like dyslexia

How reading improves intellect

Increases knowledge and vocabulary: Reading exposes you to new terms, ideas, and facts, increasing your crystallized intelligence.

Enhances problem-solving: It helps you detect patterns and make connections, boosting your fluid intelligence.

Develops the brain: Reading creates new neural pathways and strengthens existing ones, leading to clearer and more creative thinking.

Boosts emotional intelligence: Engaging with stories and characters helps you understand and manage emotions, leading to better social interactions.

Improves reading skills: It strengthens skills like phonological awareness, which is the ability to reason about the sounds in language, and improves reading speed and fluency

The relationship between reading and intelligence

Reading is a learned skill that relies on repurposing specific brain regions for processing language and recognizing letters.
Studies show that reading ability is a significant predictor of later intelligence, especially verbal intelligence.
However, some individuals with high general intelligence may face difficulties with reading, a condition known as a specific reading disability or dyslexia, demonstrating that reading ability and intelligence are not identical.

Research on Reading

According to an article on the BigThink website, Research shows that reading not only helps with fluid intelligence, but with reading comprehension and emotional intelligence as well.

Click here to Read the article

References

– The paradoxical relationship between intelligence and reading disability

P G Aaron

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4094867/

– How reading rewires your brain for higher intelligence and empathy

Derek Beres Bigthink

– Cotrugli Business School

Professor Mike George

https://cotrugli.org/the-mind-and-intellect

Number 1 Female Author in the UK

UK Female Authors

The Number 1 Female Author in the UK

Top UK Female Authors

Most Read Book in the UK

A Christmas Carol

The Average Number of Books Read per Year

Top countries by average books read per year

Other countries

The Most-Read Books

What factors contribute to high book reading rates in India, US and UK?

India

United States

United Kingdom

Survey methods for collecting data on book reading habits across countries

Common Survey Methods

Data from Digital Platforms

Sources

Reading and the Brain

What reading does for the brain

What is the Brain

How reading changes the brain

How the brain learns to read

Brain regions involved in reading

Health and cognitive benefits of reading

References

How Reading Improves Your intellect

Cognitive and brain function

Knowledge and communication

Imagination and empathy

Benefits of Reading

The Power of Intellect

What is Intellect?

Definitions of Intellect

Understanding the Power of the Intellect

Key aspects of intellect

In psychology

Core functions of intellect

Developing intellect

How to cultivate intellectual power

Reading and Intellect

How reading improves intellect

The relationship between reading and intelligence

Research on Reading

References

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