In November, total net book sales rose 1.7%, to $1.068 billion, compared to November 2015, and represented sales of 1,207 publishers and distributed clients as reported to the Association of American Publishers. For the first 11 months of the year, total net book sales fell 5.7%, to $13.035 billion.
During November, trade sales rose 10.2% over the same period a year earlier, and were a positive change from the previous month's 7.5% drop compared to October 2015. Adult trade books rose 6.8%; children's/YA jumped 16.2%; and religious books were up 21.7% overall. The jump in trade sales may have been in part a reaction to the conclusion of the presidential campaign.
Total net book sales in November were dragged down by poor performances in the K-12, higher ed and professional categories. Print and audiobook formats continued to grow during the year, while e-books declined.
