Andorra Bookshops Thrive on Christmas Book Sales Amid Digital Fatigue
Booksellers report booming holiday sales of elegant, affordable gifts like thrillers, illustrated editions, and children's stories, offering.
Key Points
- Strong Christmas sales at Idees, La Llibreria, La Trenca; books average €20, preferred over toys.
- Top adult sellers: *El joc del silenci*, *L’assistenta*, Dan Brown, local *Boris I*.
- Children's books lead with festive stories and interactive editions; romantic fantasy popular with young women.
- Books valued for escapism, personalization, and quality amid saturated digital market.
Bookshops across Andorra are seeing strong sales of books as gifts this Christmas season, with booksellers emphasising their appeal as elegant, affordable options amid a saturated digital landscape.
At Idees bookstore in the Illa Carlemany shopping centre, manager Núria notes that books remain a reliable choice. "Nobody will be disappointed receiving a book," she says. With an average price of €20, they offer good value compared to toys in the same range. December stands out as the peak month. Popular children's titles include Christmas-themed stories, while "beautiful books"—featuring high-quality illustrations and editions—are flying off shelves. For adults, top sellers include the thriller *El joc del silenci* by Gil Pratsobrerroca, the graphic novel *El museu de l’elefant* by Joan Peruga, Dan Brown's *Mentre esperàvem*, and the local classic *Boris I, rei d’Andorra* by Antoni Morell. The runaway hit is Freida McFadden's *L’assistenta*, alongside the premium large-format illustrated *The Book*, despite its higher cost. Customers seek books for escapism, providing a personal respite from technology overload.
Lluís Canal from La Llibreria agrees, describing books as a "very much alive" product. Everyone reads in some form, he points out—from contracts to social media news—and books offer an escape. Shoppers arrive with specific requests tied to recipients' tastes, or seek recommendations based on preferences. Young female readers favour "romantic fantasy" titles, blending love stories with fantastical elements in special illustrated editions ideal for gifting. Demand spans all genres and formats.
La Trenca prioritises Andorran literature but reports broad variety in genres, themes, prices, and editions to suit diverse readers. Bestsellers mirror trends elsewhere: *El joc del silenci* and Jo Nesbø's *Minnesota*, the clear leader. Children's books dominate, with families choosing well-written, attractive stories—often interactive—without heavy moral lessons. Sales are solid but slightly down from last year.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: