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READING HABITS
How do you like your books?
Physical books seem to have maintained their popularity, contrary to predictions suggesting otherwise. According to the Association of American Publishers, print books generated around 75% of book sales revenue in 2019, while e-books accounted for some 7%. The remaining portion, around 18%, consisted of other formats, such as audiobooks.
DEMAND FOR BOOKS dropped sharply when extensive restrictions were imposed in the United States in March 2020. However, the New York Times reports that “demand came rushing back around June,” and print book sales increased by around 8% in 2020 year-on-year.
According to Publishers Weekly, e-book sales grew by 12.6% in 2020, and audiobook sales rose by 12% in 2020 despite the sharp decline in commuting. Sales of e-books increased after having declined for several years, and were at their highest level since 2015. Combined print and e-book sales were up by 9.1% compared with 2019.
THE TREND WAS similar in the UK. The Guardian reports that the volume of print books sold increased by around 5% and hit an eight-year high, even though bookstores in England were closed from late March until mid-June and again from early November to early December, with differing lockdowns imposed around the rest of the UK.
Digital book sales increased by 12% in the UK in 2020, representing 47% of sales, with print book sales accounting for 53%. At 6%, the gap between print and digital was the smallest it has ever been. However, the largest growth was seen in audio downloads, which rose by 37% from 2019.
HOW DO YOU PREFER your books? Print, digital, or audio? New or used?
Anja Snellman loves to scour used book stores and recycling centers for great finds, although she admits it’s heartbreaking to see beloved classics in discount bins—or given away for free because nobody wants to pay for them. Then again, they make delightful finds for book lovers.
Snellman has multiple copies of her all-time favorite, The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje.
“Whenever a copy falls apart, I buy a new one. In fact, I have more than thirty copies, spare copies, and spare copies of spare copies on my bookshelves. I continually add to my collection in bookstores around the world,” she explains.
“Most often, I buy secondhand, because I find used books particularly fascinating: the pages have softened and may have underlines, sidelines, exclamation marks, or stars drawn by another devout reader of whatever nationality, or food stains, tear stains, or rumpled patches from reading the book in the bath.”