The world of secondhand books is experiencing an unexpected boom, with independent booksellers reporting astonishing spikes in sales. This surge has raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity about the underlying reasons. Many suspect that the insatiable appetite of artificial intelligence (AI) for data could be a significant factor. As books fly off the shelves and into unknown destinations, the implications of this trend are both exciting and concerning.
A Surge in Unusual Orders
Independent bookshops across the globe are witnessing a remarkable increase in bulk orders, some of which are unlike anything they have seen in decades. Stuart Manley, the owner of Barter Books in Northumberland, typically sells around two to three thousand books each week. However, a recent order from a Canadian company matched his weekly sales total in a single swoop. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my 30 years in the secondhand book trade,” he remarked, echoing sentiments shared by other booksellers who are equally perplexed by these mega purchases.
While it’s unclear where these books are ultimately headed, speculation suggests they may be destined for AI training programmes rather than the eager hands of readers.
The Legal Landscape Shaping Sales
The connection between rising secondhand book sales and AI can be traced back to a pivotal legal ruling in the United States. In 2025, a judge ruled that using purchased books to train AI software does not violate copyright law. This landmark decision arose from a lawsuit involving AI firm Anthropic, which was challenged by three authors. Judge William Alsup described Anthropic’s use of the authors’ works as “exceedingly transformative,” thus falling within legal boundaries.
Recent revelations from court documents have further ignited concerns, as it was disclosed that some of these books are being destroyed during the training process for Anthropic’s chatbot, Claude. A spokesperson for the company clarified that they source data from a variety of channels, insisting, “None of our data acquisition programmes buy and destroy rare or antiquarian books.” However, the notion of books being pulped has understandably unsettled many in the literary community.
The Dark Side of Digitalisation
Internal communications regarding the Anthropic case referred to the initiative of digitising old books as “Project Panama.” This ambitious endeavour involves what is known as “destructive scanning,” where books are shipped to facilities for rapid digitisation—often resulting in the removal of their spines so that every page can be scanned efficiently, with the remains subsequently recycled.
Manley expressed his apprehension about Project Panama, saying, “There’s a lot of mystery surrounding it. The name is new to me, but the reality of the project is not, and it has been a hot topic within bookselling forums.” He remains uncertain whether the books being sold at his shop are intended for such projects, yet the erratic nature of the orders—ranging from obscure Latin texts to cowboy adventures—has left him scratching his head.
Experts suggest that the eclectic mix of titles being scooped up hints at AI developers seeking rare and unique texts to enrich their large language models, which power generative AI tools like chatbots.
Ethical Dilemmas for Booksellers
The surge in secondhand book sales presents a complex ethical dilemma for booksellers. Many find it distressing to think about the potential destruction of these literary treasures, even though they acknowledge that not every title warrants preservation. Derek Walker, who runs McNaughtan’s in Edinburgh, noted, “A recent academic text published in only 100 copies, 75 of which are already in libraries, may be very rare on the market—but it is perhaps not such a great loss if one copy is destroyed.”
Conversely, he is concerned about the loss of unique editions that hold significant cultural value. Manley added, “Some may have ethical concerns about where the books end up and if they’re destroyed. But the world no longer needs five million copies of The Da Vinci Code.” This sentiment resonates with many booksellers, who are grateful for the unexpected sales boost, even as they grapple with the moral implications of their books’ fates.
Why it Matters
The recent surge in secondhand book sales reflects not only the changing landscape of the book industry but also the profound impact of AI on cultural consumption. As technology evolves and demands for data increase, the fate of literary works becomes increasingly precarious. This development raises important questions about the value we place on books as physical objects and the ethical considerations surrounding their use in AI training. As we navigate this new terrain, it is crucial to ensure that the literary heritage we cherish is preserved for future generations, not discarded in the name of progress.
