How do you use your leisure time? If you're among the 71% of Canadians who say cooking is one of their top three daily leisure activities, you’re in for a treat!

In this new instalment of our Subject spotlight series, where we share quarterly data-driven insights into a specific corner of the Canadian book market, we’re diving into the world of Non-Fiction / Cooking. Whether you’re a weekend baker (remember the sourdough craze!?), a cookbook collector, or a full-time foodie, we’ve got some mouthwatering stats to share about how these titles performed in both sales and library circulation during the second quarter of 2025.

All the data we’re sharing today comes from our SalesData and LibraryData services. Curious to do your own deep dive into specific subjects or the market? Our user docs can help! Or, if you’re new to BookNet or these services, you can start learning more about us here.

Buying Non-Fiction / Cooking

As shown in the graph below, year-over-year sales of Cooking titles were up 7% in April, 51% in May and 38% in June.

In 2024, sales increased by 8% from April to May, but then saw a decrease of 34% in June. Overall, the sales of Cooking titles decreased by 29% during the second quarter of 2024.

In 2025, we see a similar behaviour: sales increased by 53% from April to May, and then decreased by 40% in June. Overall, the sales of Cooking titles decreased by 9% during the second quarter of 2025.

Line graph comparing book sales between April, May, and June 2024 and 2025 in the Non-Fiction / Cooking BISAC category and a trendline illustrating the sales of all Non-Fiction print titles during the second quarter of 2025.

These are the BISAC subcategories with the highest year-over-year increase in sales:

Non-Fiction / Cooking / General — up 1,070%;
Non-Fiction / Cooking / Picnicking & Tailgating — up 700% and
Non-Fiction / Cooking / Entertaining — up 111%.

From April to June, the most purchased Cooking subcategories were:

Non-Fiction / Cooking / General — 23% of all Non-Fiction / Cooking sales;
Non-Fiction / Cooking / Methods — 20% of all Non-Fiction / Cooking sales; and
Non-Fiction / Cooking / Regional & Cultural — 14% of all Non-Fiction / Cooking sales.

Borrowing Non-Fiction / Cooking

Year-over-year, Cooking loans decreased by 7% in April, then increased by 7% in May, and later decreased by 1% in June. Overall loans decreased by 8% in the second quarter of 2024 and decreased by 2% in the second quarter of 2025.

Line graph comparing book loans between April, March, and June 2024 and 2025 in the Non-Fiction / Cooking BISAC category and a trendline illustrating the loans of all Non-Fiction print titles during the second quarter of 2025.

Year-over-year renewals increased by 1% in April, then decreased by 2% in May, and later decreased by 1% in June. Overall, renewals decreased by 6% in the second quarter of 2024 and decreased by 8% in the second quarter of 2025.

Line graph comparing book renewals between April, May, and June 2024 and 2025 in the Non-Fiction / Cooking BISAC category and a trendline illustrating the renewals of all Non-Fiction print titles during the second quarter of 2025.

Which Cooking subcategories were the most popular in Canadian libraries? From April to June 2025, these subcategories saw the greatest increases in library circulation compared to 2024:

Non-Fiction / Cooking / Picnicking & Tailgating — loans up 200% and renewals up 400%;
Non-Fiction / Cooking / Farm to Table — loans up 119% and renewals up 567%; and
Non-Fiction / Cooking / Comfort Food — loans up 30% and renewals up 18%.

During the second quarter of 2025, the most circulated Cooking subcategories were:

Non-Fiction / Cooking / Methods — 25% of all Non-Fiction / Cooking loans and renewals;
Non-Fiction / Cooking / Regional & Cultural — 19% of all Non-Fiction / Cooking loans and renewals; and
Non-Fiction / Cooking / Courses & Dishes — 13% of all Non-Fiction / Cooking loans and renewals.