Rumour has it that paperback sales are down by 2-3% across the board compared to previous years.
No doubt, many an industry "leader," who is more concerned about the engagement of their latest Instagram post, will prophetically decree something akin to:
"PAPERBACKS ARE DEAD."
Quite amusing, as it is predictable.
Now, are they just engagement farming, or do these reports, in fact, shine a light on something more worrying, like people abandoning reading in the physical form?
In my totally uncertified but wholly qualified opinion:
Absolutely not.
Like everything today, not even the humble book has escaped inflation, which has skyrocketed for everyone since COVID times.
(Remember those days?)
Toss in the surge in shipping prices thanks to the current conflict, and you have quite the sh*t sandwich.
So when it comes to spending $20 on a paperback versus $5-$8 on an e-book…
You don't have to be a Steven Hawking to work out why there's a shift away from paperbacks.
Will it remain this way?
I doubt it.
Once we get past this decade (providing we haven't blown ourselves to smithereens by then) and all this talk of inflation, AI bubbles, and what-have-you is in the rearview mirror…
I actually see paperback sales soaring.
Why?
Well, in a world where everything continues to get condensed into that glowing rectangle in our pockets, it's only a matter of time before the thirst for real, tangible goods resurfaces again.
It's already playing out with the rise in vinyl record sales…
The ditching of smartwatches for mechanical ones…
And the surge in physical board game sales.
Sure, I'm totally biased as I sling paperbacks at my Storehouse. And yes, I'll concede, they're not the cheapest books you'll ever buy, but after comparing the quality from Amazon to my printing partner, I'd argue it's worth the investment if you like to collect them.
You can peruse my current bundle of paperbacks here:
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/tdr-paperback-bundle
That said, if you’d prefer to get them at Amazon or any other retailer, then you’ll want to sit on those hands of yours.
Announcement coming soon on that.
BUT… if you’re only interested in the best, you’ll want to go here:
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/tdr-paperback-bundle
Have a great weekend, Legionnaire. Stay classy out there.
DJJW
P.S. There will be reduced broadcasting next week as Lady Laura, the boys, and I are out of Smog City (aka London) to visit family. Expect emails on Mon, Wed, and Fri.