Welcome back to Subject spotlight, the blog series where we give you quarterly data-driven insights into a specific corner of the Canadian book market. In our previous post, we shared sales and library circulation data for the Non-Fiction / Biography & Autobiography BISAC subject. This time, we’re diving into the world of science fiction.

Did you know that Science Fiction was one of the top five most popular Adult Fiction print book subjects among Canadians in 2023? From classics to contemporary titles, Science Fiction continues to captivate readers, immersing them in imaginative worlds and providing an escape from reality.

How did Science Fiction titles perform during the third quarter of 2024? We find out with the help of our SalesData and LibraryData services.

Buying Fiction / Science Fiction

As shown in the graph below, year-over-year sales of Science Fiction titles decreased by 18% in July, 9% in August, and 3% in September.

In 2023, sales increased by 15% from July to August but then dropped by 31% from August to September, resulting in an overall third-quarter decrease of 20%.

This year shows a similar trend, with sales increasing by 27% from July to August and then decreasing by 26% from August to September. Overall, sales for the third quarter of 2024 decreased by 6%.

Line graph comparing book sales between July, August, and September 2023 and 2024 in the Fiction / Science Fiction BISAC category and a trendline illustrating the sales of all Fiction print titles during the third quarter of 2024.

These are the BISAC subcategories with the highest year-over-year increase in sales:

Fiction / Science Fiction / Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic — up 154%;
Fiction / Science Fiction / Genetic Engineering — up 56%; and
Fiction / Science Fiction / Collections & Anthologies — up 40%.

From July to September, the most purchased Science Fiction subcategories were:

Fiction / Science Fiction / Hard Science Fiction — 27% of all Fiction / Science Fiction sales;
Fiction / Science Fiction / Action & Adventure — 22% of all Fiction / Science Fiction sales; and
Fiction / Science Fiction / Alien Contact — 19% of all Fiction / Science Fiction sales.

Borrowing Fiction / Science Fiction

Year-over-year, Science Fiction loans increased by 2% in July, 3% in August, and 4% in September. Overall loans decreased by 14% in the third quarter of 2023 and by 12% in the third quarter of 2024.

Line graph comparing book loans between July, August, and September 2023 and 2024 in the Fiction / Science Fiction BISAC category and a trendline illustrating the loans of all Fiction print titles during the third quarter of 2024.

Year-over-year renewals decreased by 2% in July but went back up in August and September by 1% and 7% respectively. Overall, renewals decreased by 5% in the third quarter of 2023 and increased by 5% in the third quarter of 2024.

Line graph comparing book renewals between July, August, September 2023 and 2024 in the Fiction / Science Fiction BISAC category and a trendline illustrating the renewals of all Fiction print titles during the third quarter of 2024.

Which Science Fiction subcategories were the most popular in Canadian libraries? From July to September 2024, these subcategories saw the greatest increases in library circulation compared to 2023:

Fiction / Science Fiction / Alien Contact — loans up 44% loans and renewals down 5%;
Fiction / Science Fiction / Time Travel — loans up 34% loans and renewals up 42%; and
Fiction / Science Fiction / Humorous — loans up 11% loans and renewals up 9%.

During the third quarter of 2024, the most circulated Science Fiction subcategories were:

Fiction / Science Fiction / Action & Adventure — 26% of all loans of Fiction / Science Fiction and 26% of all renewals of Fiction / Science Fiction;
Fiction / Science Fiction / Space Opera — 19% of all loans of Fiction / Science Fiction and 22% of all renewals of Fiction / Science Fiction; and
Fiction / Science Fiction / General — 14% of all loans of Fiction / Science Fiction 14% all renewals of Fiction / Science Fiction.