"Books are So Evil Nowadays", and 21 other observations as a book merch girl
Radar 22 Post- List and Commentary
INTRO AUDIO
***Update in my world, 2025: It’s been almost year since I entered the field of book merchandising. Stocking shelves and making the book section in select stores look pretty make up part of my work day. I’m engrossed in mainstream releases, and would ya believe, some book releases have made their way into my dreams. Talk about taking work home! That demented looking pig from the popular “Piggy” series of graphic novels has disturbed too much shut-eye time. Rather think about heartwarming Babe, the pig….
OBSERVATIONS
1 “Books are so EVIL nowadays “
…and generally DARK. Why the obsession with evil, the darkness …horror and the occult, and murder as death? We love it. We love to read it, so much so that we’re eager to have it in print… for our precious hands to read…but Why? The answer to this deserves essay treatment to explore psychologically. But I get it. We as humans are curious about evil and darkness, so we tend to seek it out for better understanding. We’ll keep going down into the well, though it scares us to…
2. “There is a light and much good to read about too”
On the brighter side of things, there is indeed a light— positive, inspirational reading to be read and sunken in. First books to come to mind: The Bible continues to be the BEST SELLER OF ALL. Though argubably The Bible is most definitely dark, arguably the most violent piece of work. However, it is the main go-to for light and hope. Also, turn to inspo faves: the Chicken Soup series and a plethora of spiritual Christian and New Age titles.
3. Collector’s editions make for handsome additions for your shelf or for gifts
Books make for excellent gifts, especially the sharp, handsome ones with satiny or leather bound covers, elaborate illustrations and anassortment of fancy features, such as foil stamping, slipcovers and decorative endpapers.
4. James Patterson is the man!
Nothing— I mean NOTHING— slows down the JP machine. At a given time, the author will have about 4 or 8 hot featured titles on the shelves. I have plenty to catch up from grandma’s old stash of Patterson classics.
5. Frieda McFadden is fire!
The New England based author has been killing it in sales since the pandemic in 2020. Original top seller of hers with the craziest of twists is The Housemaid. This may, perhaps, be the most hyped up title by customers in-store.
6. Sarah J. Maas is the sensational Queen of Romantasy!
Maas romantasy titles occupy about 4-9 spots on shelves. Maas fandom and fever are massive! A Court of Mist and Fury is waiting to be read (another thrift store steal at $2 for me). However, I feel to need to start off the Maas affair with A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), not yet on my book case.
7. Children’s section is corrupted—but there is some saving grace
Not so kid-friendly are kids corner reads these days. Parents, please be aware of what is being marketed to you wee ones! Lots of questionable reads but harmless titles for young readers though are a plenty… Dr Seuss, First 100 words, I Love You Forever, Dogman, Sweet Valley Twins series, Ms Rachel series and the like.
8. Anime and the graphic novel at large is MEGA!
Graphic novels of different sub-genres— including fantasy and horror— are all the range. Standout anime series I have repeatedly stocked on shelves: Berserk, Spy Family, Chainsaw Man, One Piece and Jujutsen Kaisen. While not personally acclimated into manga, that Sailor Moon series seems like a way for me to start with anime style comics.
9. Colleen Hoover is huge
Like Patterson and McFadden, Hoover or CoHo, as her major fans wou;d call her) take up several books several spots limited store shelf space. Never Never, Too Late, It Starts with Us and popular, Marinarena recommended, It Ends With Us are commonly bought.
10. Coloring books still going strong and diversifying
Coloring is not just a fad and not just for the kids wanting to color. There are books geared for the young and especially for the adult crowd for the sake of relax and focus.
11. Self-help is having a moment
We could all use guides towards self-improvement and healing. From #1 seller in social psychology, Atomic Habits to top trauma-healing guide, The Body Keeps The Score as well as the happiness focused guides from Shadow Work Journal series and self-help workbooks with prompts and tips.
12. Love for Dr. Seuss will never be cancelled
How stupid that culturally “woke” folks tried to cancel Dr Seuss! Seuss week is huge.
Oh, the Places We Go! — what a classic. No official numbers but it sells about as much as The Bible.
13. Danielle Steel, we see you. You’re still representing.
Over 800 mil sold in old school romance tales and family relationship. BAM!
Thank you, ma’am for the lovely simplicity in your novels.
14. Cookbooks are sizzlin’ in sales
As I mentioned in my 2024 wrap-up post , cookbooks are very popular these days. Celebs and pop culture related titles are getting hype as of late.
15. Kristin Hannah is huge
Her compelling, The Women, a Number #1 on many 2024 Best Book lists
previous releases, such as The Nightingales also take up precious space on the fairly limited adult book section.
16. Focus on War, War, War
Previously mentioned novel for #16 is a historical piece that centers around female nurses during the Vietnam war. Several wartime-based bestsellers I’ve come across have wowed readers, including WWW II non-fiction fave Ghosts of Honolulu and historical drama, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
17 Harlequin and (Harlequin hot guys) are still around
Hetero boomer women make up the typical readership of Harlequin issued books but anyone who enjoys a plain worded, easy 200 page turner can appreciate. Yes, some reads are sleazy and perhaps too trite but are just right for dedicated fans.
18 The Amish are an absolute thing
There are Amish romance novels and even mysteries. Why Amish? For the genuiness, similpicity, good family, moral stories and overall goodness that comes from the culture. Start off perhaps with the novel, A is for Amish.
19. Hockey hunk is a huge thing for YA sports romances
Have you noticed? Lots of YA titles center around a young lady and her infatuation for the strong handsome hockey playing jock. Let’s see… there is Pucking Around, Pucking Sweet, Pucking Wild, Pucked, Behind the Net… and dozens more!
20. School Grade Workbooks are a consistent hot sell
They rival Bible and Seuss sales. It seems a bit shocking to me how popular these workbooks are— though, considering the state of (un)education going on in schools (of America at least) with highly questionable texts in the classrooms. Well, maybe this is no big surprise. Also, these books make for essential guides for homeschoolers.
21 Five Nights at Freddys is popular
A popular series of graphic novels geared mainly towards YA teen crowd!
Anyone who is a fan of FNAF- help me to understand why this is such a phenomenom? These Chuck n Cheese-esque characters kinda gave me the creeps but now they make me laugh too. FNAF competes with Maas and Patterson for major real estate on best seller shelves.
22. Romance is escapism
…and will always be popular. Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber Jodi Picoult, Bridgerton, The Harlequin cowboy and duke love stories, all the cutesy YA tales from Hannah Grace, Elle Kennedy, Kennedy Ryan novels... Love’s unstoppable and SELLS!
What will the upcoming book merch seasons bring?
Indeed more darkness and evil— but also— the LIGHT, GOODNESS and LOVE !
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