- Not sure quite what to make of parts of the NYT story on Book ExpoAmerica. Consumer spending on books has increased 8 percent over the last three years. On the other hand, the total number of books sold declined three percent in that same time period and nine percent over the last five years. Seems to me that simply proves the average price of books has gone up. So, the CEO of Barnes & Noble suggests it’s time for publishers to consider raising prices.
- On a related note, this apparently tongue-in-cheek PR piece projects that the “number of Americans who write and publish a book in a given year is set to exceed the number who read one.” Don’t worry though. We won’t reach that point until 2052.
- While far from a well-known award, Phillip Roth doesn’t have any competition for this year’s Sidewise Award for best alternate history novel. His The Plot Against America is the only nominee in that category. I was not overly impressed but also have not read any of the other potential candidates. It’s my understanding, though, that the judges can decide not to give an award.
I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.
Groucho Marx
