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.

Industry sales of Wicca and Tarot titles were up massively this past year, to the tune of $90 million, with the majority of sales coming in the second half of the year. Every sales channel benefited from growth in this category. Accounts should be well-stocked beginning in July, and then on toward the fall.

Bookstore Romance Day is a day designed to give independent bookstores an opportunity to celebrate Romance fiction—its books, readers, and writers—and to strengthen the relationships between bookstores and the Romance community. (https://bookstoreromanceday.org/) 2021 marks the third year of this annual celebration.

Homeschooling in the 1980s typically called to mind white, middle class families who opted out of traditional district or private schools to focus on teaching their children through the lens of their religious faith.

In recent years, homeschooling has moved far beyond being the preferred learning method of a handful of American families, increasing in popularity as parents become less satisfied with more traditional choices. (redefineonline.org)

The intense fighting now raging between Israelis and Palestinians – in an area not much larger than New Jersey – may be the worst since 2014, but it’s part of a complex, bitter conflict that reaches back to the first World War. (USA Today)

The start of a new school year can be a source of stress for both parents and kids. But research shows that it’s moms who have the hardest time emotionally when school starts. (healthline.com) Schedules, meal-planning, and helping to manage their children’s anxieties contribute to a tough re-entry for some parents. 

The power of the backlist lies in titles that aren’t new to us, but may be to booksellers or consumers. Titles that were major bestsellers when they were published may fall off account inventory lists for various reasons, or newer booksellers may simply not be aware of them.