Sales of quiz books and bibles at their highest since the 1990s in 2025
Spending on adult fiction also increased despite total print book sales in the UK dropping slightly.
Sales of quiz books and bibles were at their highest since the 1990s last year, according to book data firm NielsenIQ BookData.
The company, which manages the ISBN and SAN Agencies for the UK and Ireland, said spending on quiz books increased by 24%, while spending on bibles increased by 19% in 2025, taking them to their highest figures since records began in 1998.
But despite those increases, spending on non-fiction titles reached its lowest level since 2014, £791 million, down 5% year on year, with volume sales down 6% year on year, to 59 million.
Spending on adult fiction has increased by 5%, despite total print book sales in the UK dropping by 0.5% to £1.81 billion.
Philip Stone, head of publisher account management at NielsenIQ BookData, said: “NielsenIQ BookData’s 2025 findings reveal a resilient book market, with readers continuing to invest in stories despite a softer year overall.
“Fiction remained the standout performer, fuelled by strong growth in sci‑fi and fantasy, horror and graphic novels, while children’s and young adult books also saw encouraging gains in key areas.
“Non‑Fiction faced greater pressure, though the popularity of trivia, quiz books and religious titles highlights sustained demand for escapism and insight.”
The average cost of a book reached record levels in 2025 according to the company, which said it increased by 2% to £9.52 due to “rising costs of book production and inflation”.
Audiobook sales also increased by 6% during the period, while comic strips and graphic novels saw an increase in popularity as well.
Richard Osman topped NielsenIQ’s 2025 bestseller list with The Impossible Fortune, the latest book in the Thursday Murder Club series, released in September last year, selling 478,000 copies, ahead of Charlie Mackesy’s Always Remember and Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid.
The Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson ended 2025 as the UK’s bestselling author, with sales totalling 3.3 million copies, ahead of Freida McFadden (2.6 million) and Dav Pilkey (1.5 million).
Mr Stone added: “With bestselling authors such as Richard Osman, Freida McFadden, Julia Donaldson and Dav Pilkey leading another solid year, publishers, booksellers and authors continue to keep the market energised, innovative and full of opportunity.
“Momentum that feels especially fitting as we enter the National Year Of Reading and work to inspire more people across the UK to make reading a regular part of their lives.”
The statistics were revealed ahead of The London Book Fair, which runs from March 10 to 12 at Olympia London.
