This article claims that the average Briton owns 80 books we have never read and that we purchase them simply to look more intelligent. The research carried out by Lindeman’s wine found that 70% of the books in the average bookcase remain unread and that many are there simply for display purposes. 57% of people make sure that the books  they have on display are literary classics even if they have never read them. 47% of people, however, prefer reading trashy novels that they would not put on display. I wonder who was surveyed in this research. Personally my bookshelves have a mixture of classics and sci. fi. Whilst I am not ashamed for any of the books to be on display, trashy or otherwise I can honestly say I have read every book at least once and many even the classics have been read on multiple occasions.