MOHNTON, Pa. – Despite studies showing a steep decline in American adults reading for fun, eager readers paid $20 to get early access to thousands of books on Wednesday.
“It’s a wonderful, fun thing to do,” said Judy Ellsworth, who has worked the Berks Book Bonanza for 10 years.
“You wake up in the morning, say, ‘Oh, it’s a book day,’” Ellsworth said.
Wednesday marked the 52nd year for the annual sale. As always, it features thousands of used books, CDs, DVDs and puzzles — all donated and selling for $2 or less.
“We sell these books for the benefit of Berks County Public Libraries and Aid Association of University Women,” Ellsworth said.
A study by the University of Florida and University College London found the number of Americans who read for pleasure fell by 40% between 2003 and 2023.
Still, Ellsworth said she doesn’t think reading’s going anywhere.
“I think the world is different than it has been, and people are doing some other things, but it does not appear to us that they’ve stopped reading,” she said.
Others weren’t shocked at the gloomy statistic.
“I think it’s definitely declining, but I hope we’re not reaching the end of it,” said Bridget Brandt, an avid reader.
Patricia Keenan was a teacher for 39 years, she said she saw fewer kids reading,
“They only read a portion of the book, and you lose so much that way,” Keenan said. “I think it’s really important to be able to read and get the whole story.”
Some readers, like April Oberholtzer, remain optimistic.
“There are more ways you can stay away from reading, but I think like people read on Libby app and things like that now, too,” Oberholtzer said. “So I don’t doubt it, but I also think that there’s a comeback happening.”
The Berks Book Bonanza is free to enter starting Thursday at the county’s South Campus at 400 E. Wyomissing Ave. in Mohnton. It goes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the “$5 Fill a Bag” sale runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.