The audiobook is enjoying record popularity around Europe at the moment - sales are thought to be rising by 15% on average each year. The growth of the medium might be slightly slower in the Czech Republic, but both publishers and booksellers there are getting in on the action.
One famous name that you’ll find on an audiobook is that of actress Jaroslava Adamová, she reads from Karel Jaromír Erben’s classic poetry collection Kytice. Kytice is a best-selling book in this country, both in print and in audio.
Increase of interest
Head of one of the country’s biggest bookstores, Jan Kanzelsberger Jr. explains, the Czech Republic still has some way to go: “Definitely there is growth on this market. It isn’t, however, anything major. But, we see that customers are interested in this field, and so it is starting. Publishers are preparing more and more interesting titles, and so people are more and more interested.”
To create more interest, Mr Kanzelsberger’s bookshops hold an event called ‘Dny audioknih’ or ‘Audiobook Days’ each year. Listening stands, the sort you would find most often in a record shop, are set up in-store, and audiobooks are sold at reduced prices.
Švejk and Kytice on the top
The most popular titles in this country include Jaroslav Hašek’s The Good Soldier Švejk, and Erben’s Kytice, which was mentioned before. Another best-seller is Winnie the Pooh, read in Czech by the TV presenter Marek Eben.
