People in Plymouth shun Kindles in favour of paperbacks

It stands to reason in the digital age that people would prefer to read on a Kindle, smartphone or tablet when on holiday, saving space in their suitcase and taking advantage of cut-price deals on books.

But a survey undertaken by RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) has revealed that almost half (47 per cent) of Plymouth residents prefer to stick to the old-fashioned way, choosing to read paperbacks or hardbacks on holiday. A quarter (25 per cent) choose to read on a Kindle, smartphone or tablet, with only 2 per cent opting for audio books.

The survey of 2,023 UK adults* conducted by RNIB for the charity’s ‘Sponsor a Talking Book’ fundraising drive also revealed that Adele and Miranda Hart (11 per cent) are the British celebrities the people of Plymouth would most like to read them a story.

In joint third place in Plymouth are Billy Connolly, Joanna Lumley and Benedict Cumberbatch (7 per cent). Other suggestions included David Tennant, Dame Helen Mirren and Simon Cowell.

When asked which fictional literary character they most wanted to be when they were a child, 12 per cent chose British secret agent, James Bond. In joint second place were JK Rowling’s bespectacled boy wizard, Harry Potter, and Matilda Wormwood, the star of the eponymous Roald Dahl book (7 per cent).    

Laura Board, RNIB Area Fundraising Manager, said: “We know that our Talking Books transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people. But we urgently need support to expand our library and give the gift of reading to even more people living with sight loss.

“We hope that local businesses and Plymouth residents will be inspired to sponsor a Talking Book and help us change the story.”

Lord (Julian) Fellowes, Chair of RNIB's Talking Books, said: “I'm a big believer in the power of a good story and have seen how these Talking Books can transform the lives of blind and partially sighted people. I hope that men and women across the UK will be inspired to sponsor a Talking Book and help us make the magic happen.”

For over 80 years, RNIB’s Talking Books service has helped create a lifeline to the outside world for blind and partially sighted people, providing over one million audio books every year.

RNIB is calling on individuals, community groups and organisations to sponsor a Talking Book by setting up a JustGiving page with a target of £2,500 for an adult book or £1,500 for a children’s book.

To sponsor a Talking Book, or to find out more, visit www.rnib.org.uk/sponsortalkingbooks