For the first time in four months, sales of religious books decreased in June, as overall book sales increased by 10.6% to $1.1 billion and were up by 11.4% for the year, according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP).

The month's sales for religious books declined 8% to $39.2 million, but sales were up by 1.4% for the year. Sales of religious books had risen in May, April and March. Previously, other than a small increase in December, the religious books category had been on a steady decline since January 2009.

The brightest spot in the AAP report was e-book sales, which continued to rise in June-reflecting an increase of 118.9% for June and 204.2% for the year.

The Adult Hardcover category was down by 13.9% in June with sales of $113.8 million, although year-to-date sales were up by 13.1%. Adult Paperback sales increased by 0.9% for the month--posting $133.7 million in sales--and were up by 12.1% for the year.

The Children's/Young Adult Hardcover category increased by 19.6% for the month with sales of $60.6 million, although year-to-date sales were down by 16.7%. The Paperback category for the same age increased 1.5% in June with sales totaling $51.5 million, but sales were down by 5% for the year.

Audiobook sales decreased 36.9% in June--with sales totaling $12.1 million--and the category's year-to-date sales were down by 3.6%.

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