I’m still recovering from the whirlwind that was ALA in Philly—and by recovering, I mean trying to make room for the stack of books I hauled home. Between chatting with librarians in long ARC lines, getting inspired by authors, and soaking up all the book buzz, it was a few jam-packed, bookish days. And while the fight for the freedom to read was front and center, the energy felt hopeful—like everyone was ready to roll up their sleeves and keep fighting. Here are five big takeaways—and how AdBiblio fits right into the mix!
1. Banned Books and the Fight for the Freedom to Read
Censorship was once again the hot topic this year—described more than once as an “existential crisis” for libraries. But the determination and fire from librarians was incredible. They’re “on the front lines,” and they’re not backing down (librarians never fail to inspire me!).
ALA also revealed the 2025 Banned Books Week theme: “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” And we’re definitely on board. We’re proud to help spread the word about challenged books and the freedom to read. Whether you’re promoting a banned title, a curated reading list, or a campaign focused on intellectual freedom, we know how to reach progressive parents, librarians, educators, and book buyers who care. We’ve already got campaigns lined up to launch when Banned Books Week starts on October 5!
2. Cookbooks: A Surprise Library MVP
Cookbooks were everywhere—I’ve personally never seen so many giveaways or so much interest. I even chatted with a librarian who hosts a monthly cookbook club where everyone makes a recipe and brings it to share. Their latest pick? Baking Across America by B. Dylan Hollis—who was at ALA and drew an absolutely wild crowd for his signing!
I also learned (to my surprise!) that cookbooks are one of the most borrowed types of books in libraries. Between culinary literacy programs and food-centered book clubs, it’s clear that cookbooks are continuing to thrive. If you’re promoting a cookbook, here are a few unique ways we can reach food lovers—beyond just the typical cookbook shoppers:
- Home chefs and holiday entertainers
- Foodies shopping in Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma, etc.
- Food and cooking influencers and followers
- Keywords including popular food influencers like Tieghan Gerard, David Chang, and B. Dylan Hollis
- Culinary and cooking magazine readers and more!
3. Middle Grade & Reluctant Readers: Comics and Manga to the Rescue
Middle grade is still a star performer genre —especially when it comes to reaching reluctant readers. Graphic novels and manga were front and center this year as tools that actually work to get kids reading (and enjoying it). Whether it’s the humor, the art, or the quick pacing, these formats are definitely pulling kids in. Here’s a few of our targeting elements to engage parents, librarians and teachers:
- RPG gamers
- Graphic novels and comics enthusiasts
- Homeschooling parents
- Fans of tv / film adaptations of video games
- Librarians and middle grade teachers with a strong interest in comics, graphic novels, etc.
- Keywords like: reading comprehension help, best books for reluctant readers, dyslexia-friendly books, high-interest/low-reading-level titles, and more!
4. Reaching Diverse Audiences
Librarians are actively seeking out books that reflect a wide range of voices. It seemed like there was a big emphases on bilingual books, as well as stories by and about LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.
And as censorship efforts grow, these are the titles librarians are fighting hardest to protect. At AdBiblio, we’ve built smart, sensitive ways to reach readers who are looking for inclusive and representative stories. It’s something we take seriously, and we’re proud to support campaigns that elevate these books! (Check out our recent blog post on LGBTQIA+ targeting here! )
5. Romantasy Is Still Queen
Romantasy is thriving. Panels were packed, ARC lines were long, and the librarians waiting? A lot of them were just excited to read these books themselves. It’s clear that Romantasy continues to dominate—and it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Whether your book leans into slow-burn love triangles, epic magic systems, or BookTok-worthy spice, we can help you reach romantasy readers where they are. Think fans of Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, queer romantasy, enemies-to-lovers, and more —we can reach them all! You can read more about our romantasy strategies here!
As these trends continue to take off, we’re here to help your titles connect with the right readers, librarians, and book buyers. Want to chat about your next campaign? Reach out to Mary Beth at marybeth@adbiblio.com to get started!
