Seeing a decline for the third month in a row, sales of religious books decreased slightly in August, as overall book sales increased by 3.4% to $1.6 billion, and were up by 6.9% for the year, according to the Association of American Publishers (AAP).

The month's sales for religious books declined 0.4% to $58.1 million, with sales down by 0.3% for the year. Sales of religious books had risen in May, April and March, but declined 8% in June and 11.9% in July. 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 August-reflecting an increase of 172.4% to $39 million for the month and 193% for the year.

The Adult Hardcover category was down by 24.4% in August with sales of $83.8 million, although year-to-date sales were up by 5.2%. Adult Paperback sales decreased by 18.3% for the month--posting $124.9 million in sales--but increased by 4.1% for the year.

The Children's/Young Adult Hardcover category decreased by 8% for the month with sales of $77.8 million, and year-to-date sales were down by 14.6%. The Paperback category for the same age decreased 15.1% in August with sales totaling $58.9 million, and sales were down by 7.6% for the year.

Physical audiobook sales decreased 23.4% in August-with sales totaling $9.9 million-and the category's year-to-date sales were down by 6%.

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