What Can the Top Literary Genres Teach Us About the Everyday Reader
In 2020, U.S. book sales saw their largest yearly increase since 2010 with 750.89 million units sold. This was an 8.2 percent increase from the previous year. Clearly, it was a golden hour for the written word and the bibliophile.
One question Copper HQ wondered was what book genres tickled your fancy this last year — whether it was the offhand read you found yourself reading because of the pandemic or your favorite author’s latest book release. After researching the most popular book genres, we were curious what these sales statistics could tell us about the larger reading demographic.
Here are some of our findings about the everyday reader based on the top-selling book genres:
1. Romance novels show that readers like a “happily ever after.”
In 2020, romance novel book sales saw a huge increase in numbers. According to market research company NPD, romance book sales increased by 17 percentage points from January through May 2020, totalling 16.2 million romance ebooks and print books sold during that time.
In a time of uncertainty and unprecedented events, it’s no wonder that book lovers were flocking to the familiarity that romance novels provide: a theme centered on the development of a romantic relationship between two people, an emotional throughline, and a positive conclusion.
2. Mystery novels speak to readers’ love of suspense and the fight for justice.
The mystery genre encompasses a wide range of sub-genres including (but not limited to): true crime novels, whodunnits, scientific mysteries, and detective stories. In the mundane and humdrum of our own lives (especially in a pandemic), readers enjoy a little excitement and suspense. Mystery novels can be enticing, exhilarating, and chilling all at once. They are the type of books you don’t want to put down.
Moreover, the typical storyline often ends with a wrong being righted or a resolution given. Readers enjoy a page-turner knowing that, in the end, their question will be answered and some sense of justice will be restored.
3. Politics, government, and social justice books show readers’ love to learn and understand the inner workings of democracy.
Books focused on the realm of politics and social justice saw an increase in sales in 2020. Barack Obama’s “Promise Land” led the charge with more than 2.5 million print copies sold. This isn’t surprising with 2020’s increased outcry for greater transparency in American government and the call for social justice with Black Lives Matters at the helm.
4. Science fiction shows readers’ desire to disconnect and imagine.
Science fiction books are routinely ranked as one of the best-selling fiction sub-genres. In 2020, science fiction or fantasy fiction books comprised 13.5 percent of all U.S. book sales, which equals 336 million units sold.
Sci-fi books often take place in ethereal worlds (past or present) occupied by zombies, wizards, or some other magical creatures. Readers with an affinity for this genre understand the value of creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, and childlike wonder.
5. Self-help books show a growth mindset and inclination toward improvement.
In the first week of January 2021, self-improvement book sales reached more than 17 million units sold. That’s right — in one week. This of course coincides with New Year’s resolutions and the excitement of a new year and the opportunity to improve. However, as one of the top selling book genres in the U.S., self-help books definitely have staying power beyond the start of a new year.
Readers who flock to this genre (hello Enneagram 3s!) love to educate themselves on how to improve in any and every part of their lives. We love a lifelong learner at Copper!
What is your favorite book genre? What do you think it says about you? Share them with us @meetcopper so we can continue to share them with our Copper Community.
Photo by Rabie Madaci on Unsplash
