According to a Nielsen Online survey, books are as popular as ever, and buying them online is growing in popularity.

In fact, books are the most purchased item online. The survey found that 41 percent of online users had bought a book online, while two years ago, only 34 percent of Internet users did so, according to eMarketer.

In the United States, 57.5 million people have purchased books online, representing 38 percent of U.S. Internet users, while in the United Kingdom, 14.4 million people have done so, or 45 percent of online users.

Nielsen Online surveyed 26,312 people in 48 countries, according to eMarketer.