Inflation Rates for Books, Audios and Periodicals

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index,  for the unadjusted 12-month period ending August  2011, consumer prices - all items - rose 3.8%.  The following information is from the 2011 Library and Book Trade Almanac (formerly the Bowker Annual).  Figures are for 2010, the latest available, except where noted.

Periodicals:

U.S. periodical prices excluding Russian translations increased 6.4% from 2008 to 2009, and by 6.3% from 2009 to 2010.

Adult Books and Audios:

The average price for mass market paperback fiction title was $6.80, an increase of  2.4% in 2010.

The average price for trade and other paperback fiction title was $16.66, a decrease of 4% in 2010.

The average price for an audio book fiction title was $50.42, a decrease of 4.4% in 2010.

 
The average price for hard cover young adult title was $35.96, a decrease of 2.15% in 2010.

The average price for mass market paperback young adult title was $8.12, an increase of 6% in 2010.

The average price for trade and other paperback young adult title was $14.54, a decrease of 13.4% in 2010.

The average price for an audio book title was $44.90, an increase of 0.11% in 2010.

The average price for hard cover children's title was $24.29, a decrease of 3% in 2010.

The average price for mass market paperback children's title was $6.21, an increase of 1.47% in 2010.

The average price for trade and other paperback children's title was $10.28, a decrease of 5.77% in 2010.