After a blockbuster April, when bookstore sales rose 8%, bookstore sales in May were up 2.6% to $1.154 billion, according to preliminary estimates from the Census Bureau. For the year to date, bookstore sales have risen 4.9% to $6.604 billion.

By comparison, total retail sales in May rose 2% to $364.570 billion. For the year to date, total retail sales were up 3.3% to $1,667.529 billion.

Note: under Census Bureau definitions, bookstore sales are of new books and do not include "electronic home shopping, mail-order, or direct sale" or used book sales.