Prince Harry's Memoir 'Spare' Crowned Britain's Favorite Toilet Read in New Study
The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, has received an unusual honor as his memoir "Spare" has been voted Britain's number one book to read on the toilet. According to new research commissioned by toilet roll brand Cushelle, the autobiography released in January 2023 tops the nation's list of preferred reading material for bathroom visits.
Top Ten Porcelain Page-Turners Revealed
The survey revealed a fascinating ranking of Britain's favorite toilet reads. Following Prince Harry's "Spare" with 10% of the vote, Toby Young's "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" came second at 9%, slightly ahead of George Orwell's dystopian classic "1984" which also received 9%. Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time" claimed fourth place with 8%.
Nick Hornby's football memoir "Fever Pitch" completed the top five with 7%, followed closely by Katie Price's autobiography "Being Jordan" (7%) and Dan Brown's thriller "The Da Vinci Code" (7%). Jane Austen's timeless romance "Pride and Prejudice" placed eighth with 6%, just ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson's "My Autobiography" (6%) and Helen Fielding's "Bridget Jones's Diary" (6%).
Bathroom Behavior Insights from Psychological Expert
Behavioural Psychologist Jo Hemmings, who contributed to the study, explained the psychological appeal of toilet reading. "The toilet is one of the few places where people feel briefly removed from demands and social expectations," Hemmings noted. "They often gravitate toward books that are immersive, conversational or even a little provocative."
Hemmings specifically addressed why Prince Harry's memoir resonates in this context. "A memoir like 'Spare' fits that perfectly - it's easy to dip in and out of, emotionally engaging, driven by personal storytelling. It's no coincidence that its title could also be interpreted as precious 'spare' time!"
British Bathroom Habits and Regional Variations
The comprehensive study uncovered detailed insights into British bathroom behavior. On average, Brits visit the toilet six times daily, spending just over five minutes per session - accumulating to approximately seven full days annually. Remarkably, respondents admitted making nine weekly trips to the bathroom purely for escape purposes.
Nearly one-third of parents confessed they sometimes pretend to "need to go" to temporarily flee their children, while a quarter use bathroom visits to escape their partners. Additionally, 22% admitted ducking out to avoid work colleagues.
Regional analysis revealed Aberdeen as Britain's biggest bathroom city, with residents averaging 6.3 daily toilet visits. Meanwhile, Cambridge residents spend the longest per visit at six minutes each time.
Cushelle's Innovative Flushable Magazine
Capitalizing on these insights, Cushelle has unveiled what it claims is the world's first fully flushable magazine. The 30-page publication titled "Porcelain" is printed entirely on Cushelle's soft toilet tissue using flush-friendly ink. This innovative design allows readers to read, tear, use, and flush each page individually.
Copies are available through giveaways on several Instagram channels including Loos of London, Wilfred Webster Official, Corys World, and Lauren Raker.
The Modern Need for Privacy and Distraction
Hemmings elaborated on the deeper cultural significance of bathroom reading habits. "Modern life is overwhelmingly noisy - digitally, socially, emotionally. People are overstimulated and under-rested. The bathroom, uniquely, is a space where boundaries are culturally respected."
"Behind a closed door, you have permission to pause," Hemmings continued. "People extend their bathroom visits whether by desire or subconsciously. They're not just relieving themselves; they're taking a precious moment for emotional regulation."
The psychologist praised Cushelle's approach, stating: "Cushelle has tapped into a brilliant cultural insight. We are desperately seeking those lost few minutes of privacy, and the idea of a fully consumable, single-use, guilt-free distraction is a stroke of genius."
The survey also found that beyond books, people enjoy scrolling for news on the toilet, reading newspapers or magazines, and even taking phone calls and Facetime sessions during bathroom visits.
