London, Mar 5: Reading a book is what appeals to UK teens more than speaking to their friends on social networks or other online sites, according to a new survey.

The survey has revealed that almost 50 percent of UK''s under-16s would rather read books than log on to websites to chat with their friends.

On the eve of World Book Day, the survey revealed an increased appetite for literature across all ages.

And British teens are equally interested in becoming authors, with 56 percent admitting that they would like to write a book and one in ten claiming they already had.

Commissioned by Sky Arts'' flagship programme The Book Show, the research also uncovered "a meteoric rise" in book club memberships.

Almost 47 percent of the people surveyed claimed that they had joined a book club in the last year.

"The fact is, reading is one of life''s simplest, cheapest pleasures, which is why we thought it vital to have the only programme dedicated entirely to that pleasure on our channels, " Sky News quoted John Cassy, channel manager for Sky Arts, as saying.

He added: "It''s no surprise to us that the UK is a nation of undiscovered authors; if there''s one thing that The Book Show has taught us as a channel, it''s that there''s a consistent and fierce devotion among UK audiences to books and reading. It''s a universal pleasure - which is why it''s likely to continue to flourish, rather than recede." (ANI)