We're all aware that ebook sales have been climbing like monkeys on caffeine, but I hadn't paid much attention to audio book sales until recently. Apparently, ebook publishers, such as Carina Press, are big on putting out audio versions of their books. I suppose it makes sense that, in an era where music is an ipod and earplug away, hands-free books would be popular as well.
Sure enough, according to data collected by The Association of American Publishers for sales between January 2011 and January 2012, audio book sales have climbed along with ebooks. For adult book sales, while mass market paperback dropped 22.5%, ebook sales rose 49.4% and downloaded audio sales rose 29.4%. More stats on adult book sales are available at the link above. Overall, all trade book sales went up, but what really jumped out at me was the enormous increase in children/YA ebook sales. It went up a whopping 475.1%!!! That's kids and electronic gadgets for you. But hey, if it encourages reading...
So this is where I admit that my percentage of ebook reading is less than 1% and audio is at nill. I'm still largely a paper girl. My kids are still paper readers (just because they don't have ereaders), but they have enjoyed listening to the Harry Potter books on tape while in the car with their dad. They've read the paper versions, but audio was the only way they could get their dad in on the series.
What about you? What are your ebook vs audio vs paper book reading stats?
Probably 90% of my reading is digital. The only paper books I buy now are strictly nonfiction and the occasional classic novel I know I'll reread.
ReplyDeleteHonestly? I'm about 90% ebook, 10% print, 0% audio.
ReplyDeleteI tried a few audio books in the past, but I couldn't connect with the "reader" and found my mind wandering.
Hey Maria, that's interesting because I did read somewhere that nonfiction book stats still favored paper. My kids' middle school actually has a lot of their text books online (the students use a password) so that there are no 'I left my book at school' excuses. As a parent, I love that!
ReplyDeleteHey Jennifer, I haven't even tried any recent audios, probably because I felt that way in the past. I did read on the Harlequin Supers forum that author Dee J Adams' (Carina Press) audio versions are actually in her own voice. Not the norm, but interesting...
I'm a dinosaur, so my first preference is paper and ink, however, nowadays it seems as if my reading is 90% ebooks. Haven't listened to a book yet. It would feel as if I haven't actually read the book. Not sure audio books would work for me as I'm easily distracted.
ReplyDeleteHey JL, losing focus would probably be a factor for me too. I think the reader's style/voice would have to be really captivating and somehow tap into our childhood memories of being read to. Kids, even after they've learned to read, love being read to out loud. I'm not sure when that stopped for me (or when it does for others), but it's something to think about.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, I wonder if genre matters in audio. I do listen to news radio (ie NPR) at times. Given the more concrete/factual subject matter of non-fiction, I think I might be more likely to listen to audio non-fiction. My mind might be less likely to wander. I did pretty well listening to college classes I recorded on mini-tapes and replayed on my commute home (I know I just aged myself lol).
ReplyDeleteIt'd be kind of sad though if audio books replaced busy parents reading aloud to younger children. There's more to that experience than the story itself.
I don't listen to audiobooks. My ADHD mind won't let me. I still prefer paper version of books, but do buy ebooks. Right now I'm probably 50/50.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be careful with those stats. How many YA ebooks are being bought by teens and how many by adults who love YA books? Right now, it sounds like the adults are the bigger buyers of YA ebooks. But then, they are also the bigger buyers of YA books period. Teens still borrow books more than the buy them. It makes economical sense. :)
Hi there, Rula! I do most of my reading on my laptop these days, but really because I've been forced into it--most of the books I review for the HEA blog are sent to me in electronic format. I don't have an e-reader yet but I'm sure it won't be long. :-) I like to listen to lectures on my MP3 player, but I haven't tried an audiobook lately--you have me curious so I'll have to give it a try! It's fascinating to read the different responses and see where people are with this these days. :-)
ReplyDeleteHey Stina, that does make sense. I can imagine accurate stats on that would be tough and 'buying' might not necessarily correlate directly with reading. For example, I like to read some YA, but I share those books with my teens. I buy them...we all read them. Good point about watching out with some of the stats out there.!
ReplyDeleteHey Kathy, the ebooks I do read are on my laptop too ;). Glad to know I'm not the only one with an e-reader yet!
These days I'm predominately ebook. Makes sense, right :)? I've always been a bit of a gadget girl so had a Kindle probably some 3 years ago. Yep, I still have that first version in a drawer somewhere. My eldest 2 kids read on iPads probably 50% of the time and it really has encouraged them to read more. I've never listened to an audio book. It's not really my thing, but my book due out in August will go Audible, so I'm really excited to find out what my book SOUNDS like. Weird, probably :).
ReplyDeleteHey Kaily! You're definitely a gadget girl LOL ;). I'd even call you a gadget guru :) I think it's so cool that your book will be Audible. I'm so curious that your book may mark my initiation into the audio book world!
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