In a release today, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) reported that overall book sales for January 2010 had dropped 0.7 percent to $814.9 million. Adult hardcover sales dropped 8.1 percent over that same period while adult paperback sales actually increased by 0.8 percent for the month.

Here’s more from the release: “The Adult Mass Market category declined by 0.5 percent for January with sales totaling $56.0 million; sales were down by 0.5 percent year for the month. The Children’s/YA Hardcover category decreased by 41.6 percent for the month with sales of $31.7 million, a decrease for the month by 41.6 percent. The Children’s/YA Paperback category decreased by 18.1 percent in January with sales totaling $30.7 million; sales were down by 18.1 percent compared to January 2009.”

The complete release is included after the jump, containing figures for audiobooks, university presses, and other sectors of the industry. The trade association has more than 300 members, a membership that includes most major publishers, smaller and non-profit publishers, university presses and scholarly societies.

AAP Reports Publishing Sales for Month of January