Rising Book Prices in Russia Hit Kurgan Readers

Residents of Kurgan (a city in southwestern Siberia, Russia) have increasingly noticed a rise in book prices. Among them, you can still find book lovers who are used to holding a paper book, flipping through pages, and smelling the printer«s ink. However, recently books have become an expensive pleasure. We asked reading residents of Kurgan how they perceive the price increase and where they most often get their books: in bookstores or online marketplaces.

According to Rosstat (the Russian Federal State Statistics Service), the average price of a fiction book in the Kurgan region in December 2025 was 595.8 rubles ($7). In January, it was 461.5 rubles ($5).

— The price hike is real. For example, the series «Books That Changed the World» in softcover, pocket-size or beach format. Their prices have jumped noticeably. And in general, it«s clear that paper and printing services are getting more expensive, — reader Alexey shared with 45.RU.

The Kurgan resident adds that besides the internet and local bookstores, he buys books in neighboring regions because they have a wider selection. He also visits book fairs; one such fair was in Kurgan in December. There, publishers sold books directly, and it was cheaper than on marketplaces and in bookstores.

— As a reader, I am delighted by the variety not only of books but also of editions, but the joy of choice is overshadowed by the prohibitive price of new releases. More and more book lovers are switching to e-books or returning to libraries, — reading enthusiast Olga laments that hard times have come for paper book lovers.

The interlocutor said that earlier she even received emails from publishers.

— Around December 2024, several publishers I subscribed to sent emails saying that books would become more expensive in 2025. Now they raise prices without notice; everyone has accepted it. I usually wait for store discounts; without them, I hardly buy anything, it really hits the wallet, — Olga notes.

She buys books online from large chain bookstores or directly from small publishers. She dislikes marketplaces because often the books arrive damaged and lose their new condition.

— Over the past six months to a year, I haven«t felt the price increase, but before that yes, there was a significant jump. It»s often cheaper to buy paper books at chain stores than on the same marketplace, because of bonus programs and promo codes. I also look out for sales and fairs when they happen, — shares Yekaterina.

She doesn«t replenish her bookshelf often, as she has an unread stock from previous years. She reads some things electronically and adds that the price increase is also due to piracy: «Thanks to pirates, everything is getting more expensive. There is probably less demand for what is easier to get for free in open access.»

Yekaterina shows screenshots of an order for a book from the popular series «The Witcher». In spring 2025, the book«s price with a discount was 869 rubles ($10), and in February 2026, it became 110 rubles more expensive, now costing 979 rubles ($11).

— I don«t have time to go to bookstores because of work, although I used to enjoy buying there. Now I order children»s literature for schoolchildren on marketplaces. It«s convenient to buy a book without leaving home, it arrives sealed, and you can also get a good deal with promotions, — reader Yulia shared with 45.RU.

The seller and owner of a second-hand bookstore on Krasina Street in Kurgan said that prices in 2026 have already risen by about 10%.

— Since January, all publishers have raised prices. Partly due to the VAT increase. I raised mine about the same. Publishers sent letters notifying about the price increase. For example, from Eksmo (a major Russian publishing house) we received word that from January 14, prices would go up by 10%.

The man says he deals in second-hand books, selling old books as well, so reading residents still come by; the number of visitors has not decreased. He jokes: the more expensive prices are in chain stores, the more often people visit his shop.

Earlier we reported that the last bookstore of the Kurgan chain «Bukvin» is closing in the city.