We have our second update on the competition for the consensus best books of the year, and as naturally happens at this point in the aggregation, there is enough data for full “top 10” lists for both fiction and nonfiction. With a little over 50 votes counted at this point, Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad has already smashed the record for most votes as “book of the year.” (Last year Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me set a new record of 31, surpassing previous title holder Katherine Boo’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers.) Here is the where the aggregated rankings stand: The Best […]
Archives for December 2016
Bookselling: Gramercy Books to Open in Columbus, OH; BN Closes Merritt Island, FL Store; and More
Gramercy Books in Columbus, OH has opened, with partial backing from the family behind the Little Professor bookshop. Owner and author Linda Kass told the Columbus Dispatch: “My husband and I love books, and we love bookstores, so when the building space was available, it was the perfect opportunity to take the plunge. It’s a perfect location for a bookstore. Gramercy will also host the second location of a local coffee shop, Kittie’s, which is linked to the bookstore but will have a separate exterior entrance. In bookstore closings, Barnes & Noble‘s Merritt Island, FL location will close at the […]
Scholastic Gains On Smaller Potter Bump
Scholastic reported fiscal second quarter results Thursday morning, for the period through November 30, with another Harry Potter boost from Fantastic Beasts lifting sales, albeit less dramatically than the gains the previous quarter from HP and the Cursed Child. Sales of $623 million were up $21 million, or 3.5 percent, with operating profit of $111.4 million up $5.7 million. Trade publishing sales were $98.5 million — up $36.8 million “on the strength of Harry Potter publishing” (while in the previous quarter, Potter drove a $69.6 million gain). Strong trade sales helped make up for declines of $4.8 million in book fairs […]
People, Etc.
At the American Booksellers Association, longtime development officer Mark Nichols will retire following the 2017 Winter Institute after 16 years with the organization. As of January 1, 2017 Matthew Zoni will be promoted to director of development and publisher relations and will become a member of ABA’s senior staff. Peter Reynolds will have an expanded role as project manager and with primary responsibility for the Indie Next Lists and the Indie Bestseller Lists. Gen de Botton will move up to ABC group manager. Additionally, David Grogan has been promoted to director of public policy and advocacy and will also join ABA’s senior staff. Kimberly Whalen has left Trident Media […]
People, Etc.
Steven Pace will join Norton on January 2 as director, trade sales, succeeding William Rusin, who is retiring after 45 years with the company at 36 years as director of trade sales. Pace was previously sales director at Workman. Norton vp trade sales & marketing Brendan Curry said in the announcement: “There are few people who could step smoothly into the shoes of the exceptional Bill Rusin, but Steven Pace is superbly qualified to do so. With his background in all aspects of book sales at firms both large and small, his outstanding reputation for management and leadership, and his sterling […]
People: Another Departure At Barnes & Noble, As Carey Resigns
Things keep churning in the top ranks of Barnes & Noble, as Jamie Carey exercised the “good reason” clause in his contract to resign (and receive generous severance pay). Appointed to the exalted role of president, development and restaurant group in June, Carey was told on December 7 that the company “determined [he] will no longer have [those] duties and responsibilities.” The company does not say what was behind that decision, or whether it reflects on Carey, the initial rollout of the first three concept stores featuring Barnes & Noble Kitchens, or something else entirely. That decision came just two weeks […]