Reading habits in Saudi Arabia

Hi. Reading is not very common here in Riyadh, I don't see a lot of people reading at public places. Bookstores are generally empty.

What type of reading do you enjoy? Do you read novels, comics, magazines, newspapers, etc.?

- I enjoy reading all kind of books but mostly I prefer Biographies and Novels.

Where do you purchase or borrow books in Saudi Arabia (bookstores, online, library subscription, etc.)? Do you prefer digital reading?

- I live in Riyadh, There are very few libraries and mostly they are piled with Arabic books. So borrowing is out of question. There are very few good book stores. One of them is Jarir Bookstore it has a very good and wide range of English books available.

I prefer paper, so digital is...

Do you have an average budget devoted to reading in Saudi Arabia? Do you buy books or pay a library membership fee?  Do you spend more or less than in your country of origin?

-You have to pay a lot for good books. Plus there is no used books option.(at least not that I know)

  In what languages can you find the books that you usually read?

Only Arabic & English language can be found (I only read English)


Naveed,

Happy Reading

I am a book lover and enjoy almost half of my spare time reading books. I usually read Urdu and English Fiction. When i was in my home country,Pakistan, i used to study books in paper form, but here in KSA, I have a tight budget and books are quite expensive as compared to Pakistan. So i moved to digital reading which is a bit less enjoyable experience( you can't smell the aroma of a newly bought book  ).I live in Riyadh and the only book store i know is Jarir which is also an expensive one.
I suggest there should be some book stores where people can buy/sell old books on reduced prices. This can help book lovers who are going through tight economical situations.

in this electronic era, i stop reading books, i major concern on net or if i say i totally depand on internet so its more batter.... i used book when i was in my county and loved that.

but as mush as we all practical i stop reading books, truly saying have no time for reading books now. all day busy in office in front of computer so whenever need any reading so use same computer for that purpose. its really sad to say but its true new technologies make us lazy....

Regards
Abdul Sammad

Hi,
Truly there is no time for reading and for credit don't wanna tell lie that I use to read at leisure times.
Anyway if got a free life, only interested to read detective novels.

Try iqra-read.com it's a pretty decent online bookstore. They are budget friendly. I buy books from them or in the book fair that happens every year

Iqra Read Bookstore*

I read a lot or rather used to read a lot.   Don't have much time on my hands these days but still manage from time to time.

I read books of all types and newspapers as well.  Comics was only when I was a kid growing up.

I always used to be a die-hard physical books fan (and owned more than a 1000 books).  Until I made the transition to the Kindle back in 2016.  I haven't looked back since and now a firm believer in the digital reading experience.  The Kindle is easily able to be carried along with you on travel, the reading experience is great and nothing beats the ability to have huge amounts of books on it.