The new season of literary awards in France begins with the Goncourt prize. Experts discuss the impact of these awards on sales and reading habits.

In France, the literary awards season opens with the announcement of the Goncourt prize winner for 2025. A barometer conducted by the French National Book Center shows that 56% of French people consider themselves regular readers, but this percentage has decreased by 5% compared to 2023. Most readers read on average one hour per week, and audiobooks are gaining popularity, being listened to by 32% of respondents. Sarah Sauquet, a professor of Literature, explains that literary awards can stimulate sales, but do not guarantee long-term success. Literary influencers play an important role in guiding readers towards books, and adaptations can also increase interest in reading. This complex dynamic shows that readers' preferences are varied and influenced by multiple factors.