Hearing this week that mass-market paperbacks were discontinued at the end of 2025 has me thinking about how the way we read has changed over the years.
Welcome to the 150th edition of The Sunday Spark, a series with weekly thoughts and highlights, nuggets of learning, and a quote of the week. Along with the way we read, this week’s edition looks at Kitchener’s new energy-saving ice-making equipment, and a new study on Canadians’ views on climate change.
On my mind this week: The way we read
When I heard this week that mass-market paperbacks were discontinued at the end of 2025, I thought about how the way we read has changed over the years.
Mass-market paperbacks were those inexpensive small paperback books found in wire racks at supermarket checkouts. In their heyday, I often picked up a cheap book during my weekly trip to the supermarket. These inexpensive paperbacks were targeted at readers who didn’t want to pay high prices for hardcover books. They sold like hotcakes.
Publishers Weekly reports that, at their peak popularity in the late 1970s, 387 million mass market paperback books a year found their way into our homes, far outselling both trade paperbacks and hardcover books. Over time, sales declined to 131 million in 2004 and 21 million in 2024.
Books are not dead
Although the demise of mass market paperbacks might suggest otherwise, people are still buying books. Shopify reports the sale of printed books in the USA increased by 23% between 2014 and 2024. Sales of audiobooks and ebooks are also on the rise. What I found a bit surprising, though, is that print books still outsell ebooks in our digital world.
I shouldn’t be surprised, though. I love to read, but I still prefer paper books to e-books, mainly because I enjoy the feeling of holding a book in my hands. And paper books cause less eye strain than digital books.
As for audio books, I am far too easily distracted to stay focused while listening to a book. As a visual learner, I need to see the words on the page to retain the information.
Even though I prefer paper books, I rarely buy physical books. Since I started decluttering, it takes a really special book for me to add to my bookshelf, so I mostly borrow books from the library. If there’s a book I want to read that I can’t get from the library, I buy the ebook and read it on the Kindle app on my iPad. When travelling, I also prefer ebooks to keep my luggage light.
So despite the demise of the mass market paperback, I’m happy to hear that it looks like books will be around for a long time. Life would be much less interesting without books.
I’m curious. Where do you get your reading material? Has the way you read books changed over the years? Drop me a comment below and let me know.
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Three highlights of the week
It’s important to celebrate big milestones and simple pleasures in life. Keeping the trend going, here are three highlights and simple pleasures of the week gone by:
- On Tuesday, we went to the Kitchener Rangers game. My sister-in-law’s school choir sang the national anthem. It was an exciting game and the Rangers beat rivals, the London Knights, 5-2.
- On Wednesday, my husband and I went out for a nice dinner at The Keg. I was amazed at how packed the place was on a Wednesday evening.
- I am loving watching the winter Olympics this week. I’ve been glued to the TV all week. Speed skating, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, curling, hockey… I love it all.
Things I learned this week
Life is all about learning. In between watching the Olympics, here’s what I learned this week:
City of Kitchener saves energy making ice with cold water
The city of Kitchener has installed innovative ice-making equipment in three local arenas. This new equipment saves energy by making and resurfacing ice with cold water instead of hot water. The energy savings mean the cost of installing the equipment will be recovered in three and a half years.
(Source: The Record)
New report reveals Canadians’ views on climate change
On Thursday, I attended a webinar where Carleton University’s Re.Climate presented the results of their recent national survey on climate change. Here are three interesting findings from Canadians (Still) Care About Climate Change:
- Nationally, 7 out of 10 feel pride in Canada becoming a renewable energy superpower. Even in oil-rich Alberta, 56% felt positive about the future of renewable energy.
- Three-quarters are concerned about climate change and feel future generations will be harmed. Even so, three-quarters felt optimistic that it is still possible to reverse its consequences.
- One in five people believe climate change is a hoax. Males and people in the 30 to 44 age-group are more inclined than the rest of the population to say climate change is a hoax.
I’ve downloaded a copy of the report and will share more when I’ve had a chance to read it.
Quote of the week
Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.
C.S. Lewis
I’d love to hear what you think about any of this week’s topics. Drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts and ideas.
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I love physical books. I buy them so I can highlight and write notes in them, and I donate the ones I don’t want to keep to the local library if they’re not marked up too badly, or to a community book box. It’s a great way to share with others.
I love the little community libraries. There are a couple in walking distance of my house and I often drop books off there when I’m finished with them.
Yes, they are pretty awesome.
A renewable energy superpower – that’s awesome! Love what Canada is doing!
I read mostly Kindle books but I love printed books as well but I’m out of room on my bookshelves.
Have a great week, Michelle!
It’s great to see Canadians want us to be a renewable energy superpower, but the fossil fuel lobby is still very powerful, especially in light of the threat of tariffs to our economy. We must look to the future, though. Change is hard, but necessary.
And yes, bookshelf space definitely dictates where we get our reading material.
Thanks for reading, Wynne. Have a terrific week!
Cheers to the climate change event you attended, Michelle! Look forward to reading your insights. I think we could use a kick in the pants on the topic here in the U.S. right now! 🤨
It was interesting to hear the findings, Vicki. They spent time on how people often think they care more about the environment than others, and also what kind of messaging resonates more with people on climate issues. Fascinating.
Enjoy your Sunday!
Sounds terrific—happy Sunday back to you! 🥰
I’ve purchased more books in the last two years than ever before. My reading style has changed somewhat as I read far more ebooks than I used to. Like you, space becomes an issue, not to mention economics, when it comes to hard copies. I still prefer holding physical books because I like the tactile feel of them. My Kindle allows me to enlarge the print, so I find it easier to see the words. I haven’t tracked it, but I’d estimate that the ratio of digital to physical copies is 60-40.
That’s interesting, Pete. I’d say my ratio is more like 90:10 in favour of paper books. I’ve kind of toyed with buying a separate e-reader instead of using my iPad, but I don’t really need another device. 😂
Books are definitely not dead but reading habits have certainly shifted. A move towards digital and audiobooks but traditional print is also the majority of how people consumed content. I do think we live in an abundance of choice and a declining proportion of attention too. It’ll be interesting to see the digital native generation does with their reading habits one day.
You’re right about the declining attention, Ab. My daughter Laura has recently started reading more and she uses a dedicated e-reader, whereas I read e-books on my iPad. It is hard to give up paper books for me, though.
I’m a sucker for physical books, but losing a lifetime of collected books to mold made me rethink things. Rather than spending the money to replace, I bought a Kobo Elipsa e-reader, and this model specifically because it’s compatible with Library Genesis, a free shadow library project. Using an e-reader isn’t as bad as I imagined.
I have toyed with buying an e-reader instead of using my iPad for ebooks but I hate the idea of another device. My daughter has a Kobo and she likes it. It has her reading more, which is a good thing. I think it’s compatible with the Libby system that our libraries use.
I can respect that! I don’t have a iPad/tablet, but I certainly would use that in place of an e-reader if I had one.
I did not know they discontinued mass paperbacks. Wow. I like ebooks. Less physical clutter because I like to own my books. Im constantly reviewing things in them and I make notes. I am a total ebook reader. I think they’re easier to read, backlighting helps. Lightweight and I can carry a bunch of books at a time. I use Barnes and noble instead of Amazon though…
I definitely need to look into alternatives to Amazon for ebooks. We don’t have Barnes & Noble in Canada. I’ll have to see what’s out there.