More than 80 percent of students love reading, according to the survey. As for the types of books favored, popular fiction tops the ranking, with 61 percent of respondents choosing this genre, followed by literary works (56 percent) and biography (37 percent).

Ma Bo, a student of Jiangnan University, is a fan of biography of historical figures. "As a Chinese saying goes, 'with history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of a nation; with men as a mirror, one can see whether he is right or wrong.' I can learn major policy-makings and events in history by reading biographies," he said.

Xu Qiwei, a teacher at Wuhan Polytechnic University, said college students should not read with a utilitarian attitude, rather, they should aim for long-term benefits and accumulate knowledge gradually through reading.

He suggested students read with critical eyes and have the courage to challenge authority.