Print Books Enjoyed a Surge in Sales Last Year
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I’m not about to give up print books. Perhaps I never will. The good news: there are many people like me, judging by the 2.4 percent increase in sales of print books last year.
A total of 635 million units of print books were sold in 2014, compared with 620 million in 2013, according to a report by Publishers Weekly. The figures came from outlets that report to Nielsen BookScan, estimated to capture about 80 percent of print sales in the United States.
Print Book vs. E-book
Don’t get me wrong, I do buy e-books, which I read on my computer. Since I already do all of my work-related reading on computer, I don’t mind reading a novel or novella using a Kindle app once in a while.
I don’t own an e-reader because it doesn’t appeal to me. It’s small but it’s not as convenient as sticking a paperback in my purse. It certainly doesn’t give me the satisfaction of touching and smelling a brand new hardcover.
The surge in print-book sales is modest, but it’s heartening considering the persistent prediction of the print book’s death. We can all calm down and enjoy a book regardless of format.
Other Highlights
Unit Sales of Print Books by Category:
- Juvenile nonfiction, 15.6 percent growth from 2013
- Juvenile fiction, 12 percent growth
- Adult nonfiction, 1.4 percent growth
- Adult fiction, -7.9 percent
Unit Sales of Print Books by Format
- Hardcover, 3.1 percent growth from 2013
- Trade paperback, 4.3 percent
- Mass market paperback, -10.3
- Board books, 17.4 percent growth
- Audio, 0.2 percent growth
To read the entire story on Publishers Weekly’s Web site, click here.
