I’M O.K., YOU’RE O.K., ALL GOD’S CHILDREN ARE O.K.: Just when you thought reading new books had become too grim for words, here’s some good news from Bowker, Inc., North America’s leading provider of bibliographic info: "2004 marked a return to pre-9/11 patterns of publishing," said Andrew Grabois, senior director of publisher relations and content development for Bowker. "The historic increase in fiction, and the high double-digit growth of the religion, personal development, domestic arts, and travel categories, point to a seismic shift in the marketplace from the political to the personal. Publishers are betting that the reading public, exhausted by four years of terrorism, war, and polarizing presidential elections, will be more than ready for the kind of escapist and self-help fare that seemed trivial and inappropriate in the wake of a national tragedy." Bowker released its 2004 book production stats this week, just in time for the annual BookExpo America June 2-5 in NYC.

- posted by Michael Shay @ 9:52 AM