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Popularity Of Adult Coloring Books Is On The Rise

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- If you like to be creative, but don't consider yourself an artist there's a hobby that might be just right for you. Adult coloring has become extremely popular in recent months. So popular, in fact, that several adult coloring books are on best seller lists.

Walk into any bookstore these days and chances are you'll find a customer checking out the adult coloring book section. That's right coloring books for adults.

"I'm not an artist but I do like to try to be creative and I feel that this could kind of keep me in the lines. I can color in the lines. I can use different colors," said Rachel Dale.

The books have intricate line drawings and designs that allow adults to color using pencils or magic markers or a combination of both.

Book store manager Pence Hodges can't keep the coloring books on the shelves.

"I think it's very relaxing. It's a very Zen thing to do. It reminds you of childhood but at the same time it's complicated enough for an adult," said Hodges.

A quick search on YouTube reveals hundreds of adult coloring book reviews, tutorials and tips.

In fact, four out of the top ten selling books on Amazon are adult coloring books.

You can get post card assortments to send to your friends as well as different animal and flower themed books or just collections of doodles and designs.

While coloring between the lines seems to have some sort of therapeutic effect, many adults also like the fact that coloring books allow them to un-plug from electronics.

Which is interesting when you consider that this trend has been fueled, in part, by social media as people post their creations on Facebook and Pinterest.

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