It’s time for another celebration of the right to read! Join the ongoing and imperative mission by working with booksellers to feature titles whose value has been contested at local and national levels. 

This year’s honorary (and inaugural) chair of Banned Books Week, Jason Reynolds: “To censor a book is to damage the framework in which we live,” adds Reynolds. “Any time we eliminate or wall off certain narratives, we are not getting a whole picture of the world in which we live. And navigating the world in a way that is closed-off, closed-minded, is poisonous. It means that we limit our vocabulary, which complicates how we communicate with one another. We have to celebrate stories and ensure that all books have a space on the shelves and the opportunity to live in the psyches of our children, as they grow into the human beings who will inherit this wonderful place.” 

Clarkson Potter and Potter Style publish some of the most inventive, stylish, giftable products perfect for year-round giving – that’s in addition to to journals, stationery, and books. The title list is ideal for stocking up for holiday sales, with a robust and wide-ranging selection.

Although across the country there are different foraging seasons, sales of books about mushrooms see the most significant increases in stores and online in September. The PRH list includes a select of titles about hunting, identifying, cooking, use as pharmaceuticals, and other compelling titles.

Ensure that stores are well-stocked with mycology titles for September so they can make sure they’re available when consumers are looking. Great time for promotions too!

White Elephant and Secret Santa gift exchanges have become more popular, and certain books and merch from PRH see massive sales increases during the fourth quarter as a result. Titles on this list outsell Q1 – 3 by as much as 16 times in Q4. Tis the season to sell backlist! 

Over the past two decades, Americans have experienced a significant evolution in their understanding and cultural acceptance of transgender people.

Consequently, media coverage of trans issues has moved beyond simplistic political dichotomies and toward more fully realized representations, not only of the diversity of the trans community, but also of trans people’s lives, their families, and their fundamental inclusion in the fabric of American society. Today, transgender people’s stories are more likely to be told in the same way as others — with fairness, integrity, and respect. (glaad.org)

Between 9/15 and 10/15, we celebrate the history and countless contributions that Latinos have made to the US over the years. This month we also honor the cultural richness of Hispanics from Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

As a result of the pandemic, personal finance has become an increasingly important topic for many Americans. In 2020 spending was down and consumers participated in “savings challenges”. Although spending is back up, consumers are still dealing with the repercussions of 2020 and lost income. 

Financial experts say that online conversations about budgeting have skyrocketed, and that the pandemic has caused people to adjust their financial planning. (www.brandwatch.com)

Multicultural and LGBTQ romance online searches are on the rise. According to our metadata experts, search traffic for the overall Romance category was up 17% in Q1 of 2021. Multicultural Romance and LGBTQ Romance share of traffic has increased considerably in the same time frame. Online search data gives us insight into what consumers are interested in buying.

This year Americans will commemorate the life-changing events of September 11, 2001, twenty years ago. In addition to tributes to those who lost their lives, including the traditional reading of names, and honoring the heroes of that day, many will ruminate about the ongoing war on terror that’s since taken place. The expected complete withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by 9/11 of this year as ordered by President Biden will have readers refocused on all that has transpired over the past 20 years. 

According to an estimate by pop culture trade news sites ICv2 and Comichron, graphic novel sales in particular via the bookstore channel were $645 million, higher than comic book shops. 

According to the report, sales in the bookstore channel (which includes physical stores and online retailers) increased “dramatically” over comics shop market share and the popularity of graphic novels over periodical comics continued to grow. (PublishersWeekly.com)

10.1 million households camped for the first time in 2020, and more than 60% of these first-time campers plan to camp the same or more in the coming year (Kampgrounds of America’s annual North American Camping Report). Camping, hiking, and outdoor skills backlist is sure to see increases, so we need to ensure customers are well-stocked.

As our country ventures back out and begins to interact again, anxieties and work-life balance threaten to once again rear their heads. Taking care of one’s mental, physical, and spiritual health is more important than ever. The Wellness category, of which this topic is part, has had historic growth in the last 5 years. The backlist opportunity continues to be strong.