Print books remain the dominant format in the U.S. book market, accounting for more than 80% of total unit sales in 2024, according to a 2026 industry analysis from BusinessDojo. E-books and audiobooks combined represent less than 20% of unit sales, though their revenue share runs somewhat higher due to differing pricing structures.
Within that smaller digital segment, the same analysis found audiobook consumption growing faster than e-book adoption, a trend it attributes largely to commuters and readers who prefer to multitask while listening. E-book growth, by contrast, has plateaued in more mature markets, with some readers reporting a renewed preference for physical books during leisure reading.
The shift is visible at the retail level too: reporting from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlighted independent bookstores partnering directly with audiobook platforms like Libro.fm, letting local shops earn a commission on audiobook sales while building community listening events such as audiobook club trail walks.
Readers looking to access audiobooks without paying for a subscription service have several fully legal free options — see our breakdown of where to find free audiobooks without a subscription.
Sources: BusinessDojo, U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-.