Sales volume of self-help books in France 2017-2018, by category

Do French people love self-books? They sure do, and one of their favorite genres appears to be books related to health, well-being and family life. Between 2017 and 2018, more than 14 million books dedicated to these topics were sold in France. This came as no surprise, with DIY and lifestyle books being the most popular book genre in the country.

Reading: a way to relax and improve yourself

In 2014, a majority of French people declared that reading was the leisure activity they prioritize the most when they want to relax. Despite the development of new technologies and digital activities, reading books, and particularly self-help books, seems to be one of the favorite leisure activities of French people. Thus, reading is perceived as a way to unwind, as well as a mean to deepen their knowledge.

The book consumption of French people

France is one of the most important book markets in Europe. In 2016, more than 434 million book units were sold in the country. In a survey from 2015, it could be seen that 60 percent of French people declared reading. Reading is a popular activity in the country, and most French readers admit to favor printed books over digital ones. If people spend these days a lot of time at work, with family or commuting, it appears that more than a quarter of French people find enough time to read 20 books or more in a year.