A collaboration between Rabota.ru, a leading job search service, and the Chitai-Gorod bookstore chain surveyed Russian readers to understand their reading frequency, preferred genres, and which characters inspire their imaginations. The findings were shared with socialbites.ca, offering a window into contemporary reading habits in Russia.
According to the survey, about one third of those polled, precisely 34%, read books in their spare time. A quarter of respondents, 25%, read only occasionally, driven by mood, while 23% admitted that they had not read for an extended period despite enjoying reading. A smaller segment, around 10%, reported that they primarily follow the news, with 4% reading on weekends and 2% on holidays. Roughly 2% of participants stated that reading is not a habit for them and they rarely engage with books at all.
When it comes to genres, detective stories, adventure tales, and historical novels emerged as the most popular choices, each selected by 35% of respondents. Science fiction followed in popularity with 27%, while technical literature and textbooks attracted 22% of the participants. Other genres also appeared in the mix, indicating a broad and varied taste among readers.
Autobiographies, biographies, and memoirs attracted 21% of the audience, placing them just behind the top tier of genres. Fantasy and fairy tales drew 20%, followed by books on skills development and hobbies at 19%, and romance novels at 18%. These figures illustrate a wide spectrum of interests beyond traditional fiction, reflecting the diverse preferences of modern readers.
When asked about personal identification with book and comic book heroes, 53% of respondents said they do not associate themselves with any particular character. A further 41% indicated that their associations depend on their current life stage, while 6% reported always finding common ground with at least one character. These insights suggest that reader empathy with protagonists shifts with life circumstances and experiences.
In terms of roleplay and imaginative aspiration, one in three Russians, 33%, expressed a desire to try the role of the most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. A quarter of respondents, 24%, secretly envisioned themselves as travelers and travel bloggers, reminiscent of Phileas Fogg from Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days. About 20% hoped to become writers, paralleling The Master from Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita.
Other well-loved archetypes included 14% who pictured themselves as the cunning scout Stirlitz, 11% who imagined themselves as the kind veterinarian Aibolit from Korney Chukovsky’s children’s tales, and 10% who considered a path inspired by the Sorting Hat or the famed schoolmaster Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter. Ten percent also contemplated careers as nanny figures akin to Mary Poppins, while 8% found appeal in a magician-illusionist persona like David Copperfield from Dickens’ works.
A number of respondents named additional figures they would like to embody, including the Mad Hatter (7%), Uncle Styopa (6%), a police officer, the mysterious Tatsu (6%), and a former yakuza boss who left crime to seek a peaceful life. Other mentioned inspirations included Dorian Gray (5%) and Dovale (2%), each reflecting varied tastes in literary and cinematic mythos.
When it comes to motivation for adopting a book’s protagonist, a majority of readers, 45%, were drawn to the character’s actions and life choices. A strong secondary impulse, cited by 36%, was the allure of adventure and the accumulation of new experiences. These drivers highlight a vivid desire among readers to step into different lives and see the world through diverse perspectives.
Approximately 23% of participants reported choosing roles by drawing parallels to the character’s traits. Another 19% said they sought escape into another world to momentarily leave reality behind, while 16% admitted an interest in changing jobs or careers. A smaller share, 8%, experimented with the idea of embodying comic and book characters to gain fame, admiration, and social recognition in everyday life.
These trends collectively paint a portrait of a reading public that values variety, imagination, and the chance to explore lives beyond the ordinary. The survey underscores how readers connect with stories not just for entertainment but as a means to understand themselves, imagine different paths, and experience the thrill of living in someone else’s shoes. The results offer useful insights for writers, publishers, and educators seeking to engage a broad audience across Russia and beyond.