Hooked on thrillers: what the Germans are reading
Thrillers, manga, memoires – and an unexpected trend: how the book trade is blooming in Germany.
Clara Krug ,
08.10.2025 
How strong is the book trade in Germany?
According to “Börsenblatt”, the industry journal for the book trade in Germany, the industry recorded a turnover of €9.88 billion in 2024, up 1.8% over 2023. Sales from bricks-and-mortar stores and online retailers grew. Over half of the titles sold are now backlist books, meaning they are more than one year old.
Which authors are most widely read in Germany?
The annual bestseller lists show the popularity of German-language thrillers, with crime writers such as Sebastian Fitzek, Charlotte Link and Nele Neuhaus regularly topping the charts. Non-fiction titles and memories also achieve strong sales.
Which genres are most popular in Germany?
Thrillers, romance and fantasy have traditionally been strong drivers of book sales in Germany. In recent years, manga has tapped into new audiences of younger readers.
What are the trends among books for younger readers in Germany?
Sales of books for children and younger readers are driving growth, with turnover rising by 8.8% compared to five years ago. Young adult and new adult titles are in high demand. According to the 2024 “Bock auf Buch!” (“In the mood for a book”) survey, 14% of 10–15 year-olds read books in their original language regularly or very regularly, mostly in English. Among 16–19 year-olds, the figure is twice as high, at 30%.
How are printed books doing?
Printed books remain the preferred format in Germany across all age groups. Among 10–19 year-olds, 97% read physical books, while 96% of 20–29 year-olds prefer paper. For children’s books, 97% of parents turn to print. E-books and audiobooks attract followings of their own, but there are marked differences between the various age groups.
How popular are German books abroad?
Rights sales grew by 2.2% in 2024, and German publishers sold the foreign rights to 6,669 books in 2024. China, Italy and the Czech Republic were the largest purchasing markets. Books for children and young people continued to dominate rights sales, accounting for 38.9% of all contracts, followed by literary fiction at 23.2%.
