Total net book sales in August in the U.S. rose 8.5%, to $1.45 billion, compared to August 2022, representing sales of 1,226 publishers and distributed clients as reported to the Association of American Publishers. For the first eight months of the year, total net book sales are up 0.6%, to $8 billion.
In August, trade revenue rebounded, rising 8.9%, to $785 million, with some categories rising dramatically. In trade print, hardcovers jumped 17.4%, to $277.8 million; paperbacks rose 8.9%, to $295.1 million; mass market dropped 19.1%, to $12.2 million; and special bindings rose 15%, to $19.6 million. Most e-book categories were down.
Sales by category in August 2023 compared to August 2022:
