Story perspectives
Mass Market Paperbacks Decline as E-Books Rise
2/6/2026
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Story summary
- Sales of mass market paperbacks have declined since 2000.
- The decline continues as e-books and audiobooks rise.
- ReaderLink will stop carrying mass market titles.
- Ivan Held, president of several publishing imprints, states the mass market format is effectively over.
- Cultural historian Paula Rabinowitz notes the modern paperback originated in the 1930s with Allen Lane to make quality stories accessible.
