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BookNet Canada: Subject spotlight: Science Fiction

Subject spotlight: Science Fiction

Buying Fiction / Science Fiction

“As seen in the graph below, overall, the sales of Science Fiction titles underperformed during the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to 2021, with year-over-year sales decreasing in October by 25%, 36% in November, and 25% in December.

That being said, Science Fiction books saw a whopping increase of 140% and 143% in sales from October to December 2021 and 2022 respectively, an increase most likely due to the holiday season.

In 2022, sales increased by 17% from October to November; by December the sales had increased an additional 107%.

In 2021, the increase in sales was not as dramatic. From October to November, sales increased by 36%, and from November to December sales increased by 76%.

Line graph comparing book sales between October, November, and December 2021 and 2022 in the Fiction / Science Fiction BISAC category.

These are the BISAC subcategories with the highest year-over-year increase in sales:

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Space Exploration — up 42%;

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Steampunk — up 12%; and

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Crime & Mystery — up 9%.

From October to December, the most purchased Fiction / Science Fiction subcategories were:

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Action & Adventure — 24% of all Fiction / Science Fiction sales;

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Space Opera — 23% of all Fiction / Science Fiction sales; and

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / General — 21% of all Fiction / Science Fiction sales.

Borrowing Fiction / Science Fiction

Contrary to what we saw earlier when it comes to library circulation, the fourth quarter of 2022 outperforms 2021.

As seen in the graph below, year-over-year loans increased by 4% in October, 16% in November and 38% in December. Overall, the loans of Science Fiction titles saw an increase of 48% during the fourth quarter of 2022, a big increase from the growth this subcategory saw from October to December 2021 (11%).

Following the same upward trend, year-over-year renewals saw an increase of 19% in October, 47% in November, and 69% in December. In 2022 alone, the renewals of Science Fiction titles increased by 65% from October to December. In 2021, the increase in renewals for this same period of time was only 16%.

Line graph comparing book loans and renewals between October, November, and December 2021 and 2022 in the Fiction / Science Fiction BISAC category.

Which Fiction / Science Fiction BISAC subcategories were the most popular in Canadian libraries? From October to December 2022, these subcategories saw the greatest increases in library circulation compared to 2021:

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Space Exploration — loans up 89% and renewals up 81%;

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Crime & Mystery — loans up 57% and renewals up 125%; and

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Collections & Anthologies — loans up 53% and renewals up 117%.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the most circulated Fiction / Science Fiction subcategories were:

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Action & Adventure — 28% of all Fiction / Science Fiction loans and 24% of all Fiction / Science Fiction renewals;

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / General — 23% of all Fiction / Science Fiction loans and 21% of all Fiction / Science Fiction renewals; and

  • Fiction / Science Fiction / Space Opera — 18% of all Fiction / Science Fiction loans and 20% of all Fiction / Science Fiction renewals.”

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Posted on: May 29, 2023, 6:50 am Category: Uncategorized

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