Behind the Scenes of Book Sales with Brenna Connor | Ep. 227
About this episode
Sarah talks with book industry analyst Brenna Connor about the complexities of book sales and publishing trends.
In Episode 227, Sarah talks with book industry analyst Brenna Connor about the behind-the-scenes world of book sales, bestseller lists, and publishing trends. Brenna shares insight into how sales data is gathered and used across the publishing industry, from tracking pre-orders and audiobooks to measuring the impact of celebrity book clubs and award recognition. They also discuss what makes a book commercially "successful," what current reading trends are revealing about 2026 so far, and what Brenna is watching for in the second half of the year. Plus, Brenna shares her own book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Why tracking book sales is far more complicated than most readers realize — including what Circana can and can't actually measure. A behind-the-scenes look at bestseller lists and the role Circana data plays in lists like the New York Times , USA Today , and Publishers Weekly . The famously secretive methodology behind the New York Times Bestseller List. The impact celebrity book clubs and reading lists…
More episodes of Sarah's Bookshelves Live
- Behind the Scenes of Literary Agents with Laura B. McGrath (Author of Middlemen) | Ep. 229
- Best Books of 2026 So Far with Catherine Gilmore and Chrissie Whitley | Ep. 228
- Summer 2026 Book Preview with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 226
- Spring 2026 Circle Back with Catherine Gilmore | Ep. 225
- 2026 Summer Reading Special with Catherine Gilmore and Chrissie Whitley | Ep. 224
- IMPORTANT DETAILS: 2026 Summer Reading Guide
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