Booksales soared during the 2020 lockdown in the UK according to the Publishers’ Association.
Fiction and non-fiction title sales saw a 7% climb thanks to the British people rediscovering their love of reading while having a bit of spare time on their hands, with audio-book sales leaping up an impressive 37%.
Chief executive of the Publishers’ Association, Stephen Lotinga, said: “It’s clear that many people rediscovered their love of reading last year and that publishers were able to deliver the entertaining and thought-provoking books that so many of us needed. But we shouldn’t ignore the fact that it’s been a particularly challenging year for education publishers and many smaller publishers.
“It’s also been a hugely difficult time for many booksellers and authors whose livelihoods have been enormously disrupted.”
“With bookshops now able to reopen, and physical events returning, we are optimistic that people will soon be able to enjoy books together again,” he added.
“We need to harness this return to reading and build on the huge opportunity this presents to everyone.”
The top 10 books sold in the UK during the 2020 lockdown saw a mix of fiction and non-fiction titles doing well, including three from Kate Allinson and Kay Featherstone’s ‘Pinch of Nom’ cookbook series.
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, And The Horse – Charlie Mackesy
“This beautiful book follows the tale of a curious boy, a greedy mole, a wary fox and a wise horse who find themselves together in sometimes difficult terrain, sharing their greatest fears and biggest discoveries about vulnerability, kindness, hope, friendship and love. The shared adventures and important conversations between the four friends are full of life lessons that have connected with readers of all ages.”
The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman
“In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes; together they call themselves the Thursday Murder Club. When a local developer is found dead with a mysterious photograph left next to the body, the Thursday Murder Club suddenly find themselves in the middle of their first live case.
As the bodies begin to pile up, can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer, before it’s too late?”
Pinch of Nom- Kate Allinson & Kay Featherstone
“For breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts, Kate Allinson and Kay Featherstone’s pinchofnom.com has helped millions of people cook delicious food and lose weight. With over 100 incredible recipes, the Pinch of Nom cookbook can help beginner and experienced home-cooks alike enjoy exciting, flavourful, and satisfying meals. From Chicken Fajita Pie and Vegetable Tagine to Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries and Tiramisu, this food is so good you’ll never guess the calorie count.”
Pinch of Nom Every Day Light- Kate Allinson & Kay Featherstone
“Featuring proper breakfasts, light takes on family favourites, cheeky fakeaways and speedy midweek meals, Pinch of Nom Everyday Light is full of hearty, everyday recipes – nearly half of which are vegetarian. From Fish and Chips to Pizza Loaded Fries, Sloppy Dogs to Firecracker Prawns, and Hash Brown Breakfast Bake to Crying Tiger Beef, every recipe is under 400 calories including accompaniments, and has been tried and tested by twenty Pinch of Nom community members.”
Pinch of Nom Quick & Easy- Kate Allinson & Kay Featherstone
“From all-in-one family favourites to batch-cook basics and speedy sweet treats, Pinch of Nom Quick & Easy is packed with dishes so delicious you won’t even notice they’re slimming. With tasty, satisfying meals such as Veggie Satay Noodles, Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta and Apple and Apricot Oaty Crumble, you definitely won’t feel like you’re missing out. Featuring Pinch of Nom’s trademark big flavours, these recipes use easy-to-find ingredients to create meals that everyone will love – whether they’re watching their waistline or not.”
The World’s Worst Parents- David Walliams
“Are you ready to meet the worst parents ever?
Sure, some parents are embarrassing – but they’re nothing on this lot. These 10 tales of the world’s most spectacularly silly mums and deliriously daft dads will leave you rocking with laughter.
Pinch your nose for Peter Pong, the man with the stinkiest feet in the world…jump out of the way of Harriet Hurry, the fastest mum on two wheels…watch out for Monty Monopolize, the dad who takes all his kids’ toys…and oh no, it’s Supermum! Brandishing a toilet brush, a mop and a very bad homemade outfit….”
Girl, Woman, Other- Bernardine Evaristo
“Sparklingly witty and filled with emotion, centering voices we often see othered, and written in an innovative fast-moving form that borrows technique from poetry, Girl, Woman, Other is a polyphonic and richly textured social novel that shows a side of Britain we rarely see, one that reminds us of all that connects us to our neighbours, even in times when we are encouraged to be split apart.”
Where The Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens
“Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.”
7 Ways – Jamie Oliver
“Jamie shares 7 achievable, exciting and tasty ways to cook 18 of our favourite ingredients, and each recipe will include no more than 8 ingredients. Across the book, at least 70% of the recipes will be everyday options from both an ease and nutritional point of view, meaning you’re covered for every day of the week. With everything from fakeaways and traybakes to family and freezer favourites, you’ll find bags of inspiration to help you mix things up in the kitchen.”
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