In 2020, due to the blockade and uncertainty caused by the epidemic, the paper book sales in the United States became the best year since 2010, and the importance of paper books became obvious in this year. According to NPD’s latest sales data analysis, book sales in 2020 increased 8.2% year-on-year to 751 million volumes.
On the surface, such an increase in paper book sales seems shocking. But when you think about what people have experienced in the past year, it’s not that surprising. Many people have a lot of time at home, while books are their main ways of entertainment, comfort and escape from reality.
“The consumer book market in the United States is now quite different from that in April,” said Kristen McLean, an analyst with the book industry at NPD From the sudden need to educate children at home to the overheated political cycle, sales have grown wave by wave. All the extra time people spend at home has inspired a great interest in reading, including a sharp surge in sales of cookbooks and DIY books, which helps people stay entertained and involved. “
Youth novels lead the growth of paper books, accounting for one third of the growth of the book market in the United States. The paper books of youth novels are the second largest book category, with sales volume increasing by 11%, and the sales volume in 2020 is 18 million volumes higher than that in 2019. Adult non fiction paper books are the highest in the United States in circulation and sales revenue. By 2020, its sales volume has increased by 4.8% (14 million volumes) year on year. The number of non fiction books among young people increased by 23% (14 million). These numbers represent a significant recovery in paper books, as physical bookstores have experienced a tough year due to forced closures.
To understand the collective emotions of Americans and the way they seek entertainment and comfort, you just need to see the best-selling games in 2020. Despite its publication after the US election in November, the best seller in 2020 was the memoir of former President Barack Obama, a promise land, with sales of 2.68 million copies. Of the top 10 books, more than half of them are for the children or young people market. Second, Stephanie Meyer’s midnight sun, a novel for young people, is a remake of the 2005 best-selling twilight. The third in the top 10 is Dave Pilkey’s popular dog series cartoon dog man: grime and punishment.
Mr. Sen estimates that paper book sales have increased by 5.2 per cent compared to 2019, equivalent to 202million books sold, worth up to $2.4 billion.
Like the best sellers in the United States, the main books in the UK provide a window for the British mentality. The cookbook “pinch of NOM – everyday light” came in third, and Richard Osman’s crime thriller, the murder club on Thursday, came second. The first is Charlie Mackey’s the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse, an illustration of friendship and lessons learned from life, described as “the book of hope in uncertain times.”.
Given the popularity of e-readers, it is exciting to see the flexibility and continuous success of paper books. Whether it is to increase the sense of connection between readers and stories, touch the feeling of real books, or just open the real page of fun, paper books play an important role in helping people temporarily get rid of real life, reduce stress and anxiety. Maybe someone should write a book about it.
Post time: Mar-18-2021