The pie charts compare the proportion of five different books sold by a bookseller in 1972, 1992 and 2012.
Overall, adult fiction experienced a substantial increase in its share of sales and became dominant category by 2012. By contrast, biography, travel, and other books all accounted for smaller proportions over the period, while children’s fiction saw a modest overall rise.
In 1972, adult fiction, children’s fiction and biography each represented 20% of total book sales. Other books constituted the largest category, at 25%, whereas, travel books accounted for the remaining 15%. By 1992, adult fiction had risen to 25%, overtaking the other category’s to become the most popular type. Children’s fiction also increased slightlyto 22%, while travel books climbed to 18%. In contrast, the proportions of biography and other books fell to 15% and 20%, respectively.
The changes became more pronounced by 2012. Adult fiction surged to 45%, almost doubling its 1992 share and more than doubling its initial figure. Children’s fiction rose further to 25%, becoming the second-largest category. Meanwhile, biography experienced the sharpest overall decline, dropping to just 8%. Travel and other books also decreased to 10% and 12% respectively.