Total net book sales in August in the U.S. fell 4.4%, to $1.598 billion, compared to August 2024, representing sales of 1,320 publishers and distributed clients as reported to the Association of American Publishers. For the year to date, net book sales were down 2.8%, to $9.174 billion.
In August, trade book sales fell 9.4%, to $791.5 million, while year to date, trade book sales are down 5.3%, to $5.8 billion.
In terms of format, in August trade hardcover sales dropped 9.2%, to $277.4 million, paperbacks fell 11.8%, to $280.6 million, mass market dropped 16.6%, to $6.9 million, and special bindings were down 14.1%, to $18.5 million.
Sales by category for August 2025:
