The passion for books in Italy is strong, as demonstrated by the recent ranking drawn up by Amazon.it on the Italian cities most passionate about reading. Milan, the undisputed queen of reading, confirms its first place for the twelfth consecutive year, followed by Pavia and Siena, which occupy the second and third position respectively. Trieste, known for its central role in Italian literature, makes its first appearance in the top ten.
Cagliari, with a vibrant cultural scene, stands out in seventh place, signaling a growing devotion to reading among its citizens. Rome and Florence, two cities historically linked to culture and literature, swap places: Rome rises to eighth place, while Florence falls to ninth.
Between July 2023 and June 2024, Amazon.it analyzed reading trends, revealing the preferences of Italians. Among the most read books are “Il vaso di Pandoro. Ascesa e caduta dei Ferragnez” by Selvaggia Lucarelli, which explores the world of influencers with intriguing twists. “La portalettere” by Francesca Giannone, a debut novel that tells the story of the first female postman in a small town in Southern Italy. “Un animale selvaggio” by Joël Dicker, a gripping thriller that has won over readers from all over the world.
Italians' reading preferences are diverse: historical novels continue to dominate, while thrillers and detective stories attract readers looking for suspense. Romance novels remain a must for those who love exciting stories, while training and reference texts complete the range of interests. The analysis of readings shows a growing diversity in preferred genres, with a balance between digital and paper formats.