Total net book sales in the first six months of 2024 in the U.S. rose 5.6%, to $6.3 billion, compared to the first half of 2023, representing sales of 1,277 publishers and distributed clients as reported to the Association of American Publishers. In June, net book sales rose 6.2%, to $1.1 billion.
Year-to-date trade revenues rose 5%, to $4.3 billion. Hardback revenues were up 4.3%, to $1.5 billion. Paperbacks grew 3.9%, to $1.5 billion. Mass market was down 15.6%, to $62.1 million. Special bindings were up 5%, to $92.1 million. Excluding mass market, adult categories rose in the range of 3.3%-7%. By contrast, excluding special bindings, children's categories fell between 2.3%-4.4%.
In the first six months, e-book revenues were up 2.8%, to $507.3 million. Digital audio rose 9.7%, to $503.4 million. Physical audio dropped 21.4%, to $4.5 million.
Sales by category for the first six months of 2024:
