Contrary to expectations, sales of printed books in the US were up significantly in January 2012 compared to January 2011, according to a report from the Association of American Publishers. Sales of e-books grew even more quickly. Sales were particularly strong for “religious” (mainly Christian) books, with e-book sales up 151 per cent in January 2012 to $6.7 million and sales of hardcover books up three per cent to $39.6 million, but sales of paperbacks were down 10 per cent to $5.3 million.