For the second month in a row, sales of religious books decreased in July, as overall book sales dipped by 1.3% to $1.5 billion, but were up by 8.1% for the year, according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP).

The month's sales for religious books declined 11.9% to $37.4 million, and sales were down by 0.4% for the year. Sales of religious books had risen in May, April and March, but declined 8% in June. 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 July--reflecting an increase of 150.2% to $40.8 million for the month and 191% for the year.

The Adult Hardcover category was down by 15.2% in July with sales of $74.1 million, although year-to-date sales were up by 10.2%. Adult Paperback sales decreased by 10.1% for the month-posting $111.1 million in sales-but increased by 8.6% for the year.

The Children's/Young Adult Hardcover category decreased by 19.1% for the month with sales of $45.1 million, and year-to-date sales were down by 16%. The Paperback category for the same age decreased 1.7% in July with sales totaling $50 million, and sales were down by 5.9% for the year.

Physical audiobook sales decreased 35.6% in July--with sales totaling $8.7 million-and the category's year-to-date sales were down by 0.6%.

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