Sales of religious books dipped 14.6% in January 2010 (the last month for which figures were available) according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP). This is in addition to the 14.6% decline reported in January 2009 when the overall decline became dominant.
The general book market decreased by only 0.7% in January.
January sales for religious books were down to $42.2 million. The bright spot in the AAP report was e-book sales, which continued to rise in January, with sales of $31.9 million for the month, an increase of 261.2% for January and the same increase reported in January 2009.
Overall, the Adult Hardcover category dipped 8.1% in January with sales of $55.6 million, and sales were down by 8.1% compared to January 2009. Adult Paperback sales increased by 0.8% for the month with $103.2 million in sales, and were up by 0.8% compared to the same period last year.
The Children’s/Young Adult Hardcover category decreased by 41.6% for the month with sales of $31.7 million, and sales were down by 41.6% compared to January 2009. The Paperback category for the same age decreased by 18.1% in January with sales totaling $30.7 million, and sales were down by 18.1% compared to last January.
Audiobook sales increased 5% in January with sales totaling $10.6 million. Sales were up by 5% compared to January 2009.
The Association of American Publishers is the national trade association of the U.S. book publishing industry. AAP’s more than 300 members include most of the major commercial publishers in the United States, as well as smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly societies.
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Yikes! This is scary information to take with me to Mt. Hermon this week.