Mass market paperbacks have been a staple in American bookstores for decades. But now, they’re being phased out due to declining sales. In 2007, Americans bought over 100 million mass market paperbacks, but last year the number dropped to just 18 million. ReaderLink, the largest distributor supplying books to non-bookstore retailers, has announced that it will no longer supply mass-market paperbacks.
The decline of mass market paperbacks can be seen in airport bookstores like Hudson, which is clearing out its displays. Romance and thriller novels are being repackaged into trade paperbacks, a larger size that costs more to produce but looks better on shelves.
Mass market paperbacks have a long history, dating back to 1935 when Allen Lane launched Penguin Books with affordable titles. During World War II, publishers shipped millions of Armed Services Editions to troops overseas. The format gained popularity after the war and was widely available at bus stations, newsstands, and five-and-dime stores.
However, in recent years, mass market paperbacks have become less common. They can be found almost nowhere now, except perhaps in specialty bookstores like The Strand on Broadway. As the demand for affordable books decreases, it’s likely that we’ll see fewer mass market paperbacks on shelves in the future.
Source: https://boingboing.net/2026/02/10/the-mass-market-paperback-is-vanishing.html