Bible Sales Reach Highest Level Since 1990s as UK Readers Seek Solace in Scripture
British readers are increasingly turning to faith and trivia for comfort, with Bible sales hitting a 30-year high in 2025. According to new data from NielsenIQ BookData, which manages ISBN and SAN Agencies for the UK and Ireland, expenditure on Bibles rose by 19% last year, marking the strongest performance since the late 1990s.
Escapism Drives Surge in Religious and Quiz Book Purchases
This resurgence in religious reading coincides with a 24% spike in quiz book sales, creating a curious pairing that industry experts attribute to a widespread desire for escapism. Philip Stone, head of publisher account management at NielsenIQ BookData, noted that the trend reflects a "sustained demand for escapism and insight" during what was otherwise a softer year for the publishing industry.
Mr Stone explained, "NielsenIQ BookData's 2025 findings reveal a resilient book market, with readers continuing to invest in stories despite a softer year overall. 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."
Fiction Thrives While Non-Fiction Declines
While readers seek solace in scripture and trivia, the broader non-fiction market has experienced a significant downturn. Total spending in the non-fiction category fell to £791 million, representing a 5% decline and suggesting waning interest in strictly factual content.
In contrast, the world of imagination remains a sanctuary for many readers. Adult fiction grew by 5% in 2025, bolstered by renewed interest in gothic horror, high fantasy, and graphic novels. This literary resilience comes despite a 2% increase in the average book price to £9.52, reflecting ongoing production cost pressures and inflation.
Bestselling Authors Continue to Drive Market
The individual successes of popular authors underscore a market still driven by beloved storytellers. Richard Osman's latest entry in his Thursday Murder Club series, The Impossible Fortune, claimed the 2025 bestseller crown with 478,000 copies sold since its autumn release.
In terms of sheer volume, children's author Julia Donaldson remained unmatched, with 3.3 million of her books finding homes last year. She was followed by thriller writer Freida McFadden (2.6 million copies) and children's favourite Dav Pilkey (1.5 million copies).
Cautious Optimism for Literary Landscape
As the publishing industry gathers at Olympia London for the London Book Fair this week, there is a sense of cautious optimism about the future. With audiobook revenues climbing by 6% and the National Year of Reading on the horizon, the UK's literary landscape appears to be evolving rather than contracting.
Whether through the pages of a graphic novel or the verses of a Bible, British readers continue to search for narratives that provide comfort, escape, and meaning in challenging times. The simultaneous rise in religious and quiz book purchases suggests a nation seeking both spiritual guidance and lighthearted distraction from daily pressures.
