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The history of reading and of literature is closely linked to readers' history. In fact, every literary event comprises an intrinsic interrelationship between writers, books and readers. These factors participate in an exchange circuit comprising a highly complex transmission system which involves production, distribution and consumption. The sociology of reading is concerned with the manner social relationships function as from the interactive three-factor literary system: the text, the writer and the reader. Readers are actually the determining element of the system, together with the book which is the object of their interest. Current essay provides a short summary of the sociology of reading starting with its concept, function and aim. The origin of the sociology of reading and the contributions of research in the several fields that involve this area of knowledge are analyzed too. The essay also presents the activities, limitations and difficulties that specialists register for the sociology of reading so that a real advance in the field may take place. The theory's importance is enhanced for the understanding of issues with regard to reading and the literary event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]