Higher book prices seen for Canadians in the year 2025
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In recent years, the cost of e-books in Canada has been a topic of concern for many readers. According to various reports, e-book prices have been steadily increasing since 2012, with no signs of slowing down.
One of the primary reasons for this trend is publisher-driven price hikes. Major publishers such as Tor Books, Henry Holt, and St. Martin’s have recently raised e-book prices by $3 to $7 per title, directly impacting consumers.
Another factor contributing to the rise in e-book prices is strategic pricing. Although e-books do not have the same production and import costs as print books, some publishers increase e-book prices to compensate for declining physical book sales or to improve profitability as e-book adoption grows.
In addition, lack of discounts for e-books also plays a role. Unlike print books that are frequently discounted shortly after release, e-book prices tend to remain stable at higher levels, reinforcing the effective price increase over time.
Indirect factors, such as broader inflation and tariff impacts on book pricing, may also contribute to the increase. Higher import costs and tariffs influencing physical book prices may indirectly pressure publishers to raise e-book prices as part of overall portfolio pricing adjustments.
The result of these factors is a sustained and significant increase in e-book prices, making 2025 the most expensive year for Canadian consumers purchasing e-books to date.
Despite these challenges, reading remains a popular leisure activity in Canada. According to a recent survey, 43% of readers in Canada read at least once a day, moving ahead of exercising and working out on the list of leisure activities. In 2024, 19% of readers read or listened to 12-49 books, an increase of 4% compared with 2023.
Interestingly, more readers said they chose books within their budget in 2024 (46%) than they did in 2023 (44%). Additionally, 27% of readers shared either the experience, the book, or a photo of the book with others in 2024.
Another interesting trend is the increasing preference for audiobooks. The percentage of readers who prefer audiobooks has risen from 8% in 2020 to 15% in 2024. Notably, the majority of readers prefer listening to a human narrator over synthetic (AI) narration.
In terms of physical books, the average price for paperback books in Canada increased by 4% in 2025, while the average price for hardcover books increased by 7%.
As the cost of e-books continues to rise, it will be interesting to see how readers adapt and whether publishers will continue to adjust their pricing strategies. For now, Canadian readers are showing resilience in their love for books, whether they choose to read them in print, digital, or audio format.
[1] Yahoo Finance article, "Why are e-books getting more expensive in Canada?" (2025) [2] BookNet Canada Survey, "Cost of Books in Canada" (2024)
An e-reader user might find it hard to balance their budget with the persistent increase in e-book prices, as the most expensive year for Canadian consumers purchasing e-books was 2025. Meanwhile, the popularity of sports seems to be second to reading among leisure activities in Canada, with 43% of readers in Canada reading at least once a day.
