New sales figures indicate that the Bible has experienced a dramatic surge in sales as readers search for hope amid the current coronavirus pandemic.
Book sales data provider Nielsen BookScan said that Biblical and liturgical texts had been rapidly climbing the charts in recent weeks, noting that the clear uptick in purchases was an “unusual pattern in comparison to the same period in recent years.”
Nielsen added that the closure of churches is likely to be a factor, before adding that “perhaps people are turning to scripture for comfort in these abnormal and melancholy times…or perhaps people are curious as to whether the coronavirus is prophesied in Revelations.”
Tomás Kenny of the Galway’s large independent bookshop “Kennys,” told the Times that their sales figures were “totally different to normal.”
He added: “We have seen a big increase in religious and spirituality titles, particularly the Bible.
Earlier this month, American publisher LifeWay Christian Resources said it had experienced a 62 percent sales increase compared to this time last year.
