Simon & Schuster has announced the title of Bob Woodward’s new book: THE WAR WITHIN: A Secret White House History 2006-2008–along with the release date of September 8, in what they say will be a 900,000-copy first printing. In a statement editor Alice Mayhew says: “There has not been such an authoritative and intimate account of presidential decision making since the Nixon tapes and the Pentagon Papers. This is the declassification of what went on in secret, behind the scenes.” The Washington Post will excerpt the book on September 7, when the traditional Woodward 60 Minutes episode will air as […]
B&N: "Throw This Stock Away"
Barnes & Noble has been nominated as Motley Fool’s latest “Throw This Stock Away” candidate, saying “it’s hard to picture a superstore chain like B&N being more relevant in the future. The way we consume content is changing dramatically, and one only needs to look at something like the emptying bidding floor for rival Borders to realize that even bookworms aren’t coming around to save this tired niche,” says Rick Aristotle Munarriz. Specific slams include the lack of free wi-fi in stores, a “dud” fiscal first quarter, slow growth in online sales and even slower stock repurchases and the increased […]
Wordsmith Books Close to $25K Goal, Saves Store
After a two week campaign to raise money to save Decatur, GA-area bookstore Wordsmith Books from closing, owner Zachary Steele announced on the store’s blog yesterday that “we have raised enough capital to cover necessary operating expenses and give us a clear sight into the Fall.” In coming close to its $25,000 goal, Steele adds: “there is still much for us yet to do. We have operating expenses caught up and have made some traction into tomorrow, but we will still be working on paying down our debts for the foreseeable future.” He’s also hoping to have investment in the […]
Michael Moore Suggests Ignoring Fall Books Preview
In one of the more unusual attempts to spice up the traditional preview of fall books, AP quotes Michael Moore as saying this is not the time to be reading – not even Moore’s upcoming book Mike’s Election Guide 2008. “There really is no time for any frivolity. People are already working two jobs to put gas in the tank, so they can drive from the first job to the second job. People need to spend as much of their free time as possible for candidates…I would rather you go and work for a local candidate than read my book.” […]
Book Review Woes Extend to Canada
Readers of the Saturday edition of the Globe and Mail were surprised to discover the books pages were missing. The day before, the paper had run a note explaining that section was “on hiatus” for two weeks because its editors, Martin Levin and H.J. Kirchoff, are in need of a vacation. But coming on the heels of the Toronto Star cutting its books pages in half (from four pages to two) and the recent cuts to seven arts-granting programs by the Conservative government, some are beginning to wonder if the Globe’s move isn’t a trial run for more permanent cuts […]
Meyer Hit May End Staggered Release Dates in India
The simultaneous release of Stephenie Meyer’s BREAKING DAWN in a number of countries not only bumped up worldwide sales, but might bring release dates in India in line with global standards.The book was published there as a large-format trade paperback on August 14 – a full twelve days after its US release date – and has sold 23,000 copies to date. “We wanted this book early, but it did not happen, because India is not a fully mature market,” said Thomas Abraham, managing director of Hachette in India. A staggered release “ensures that publishers can split the market between formats […]