(NNPA)�An estimated $356 million for books was spent by Blacks in 2000, a $46 million increase from the previous year, said a recent study.

Sixty-seven percent of those interviewed said they enjoy reading all kinds of works from Black authors, it said.

Fifty-three percent of the 373 Black buyers of books in eight markets said they enjoyed works that deal with Black issues. Seventy-one percent of those who responded were women. Those aged 18 to 35 were more than half of those interviewed.

The study�published by the Book Industry Study Group and conducted by Target Market News, an industry publication�also showed that spending through retail outlets totaled $297 million.