Harper Lee, whose single work of fiction, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ earned her the National Medal of Freedom and the distinction of having written one of the bestselling novels ever published, is going to be releasing a second book. Read More on Publishers Weekly
In a new report based on a recent study of the children’s e-reading practices, Digital Book World and PlayCollective find more kids are becoming primary owners of e-reading devices and playing expanded roles in choosing ebooks for themselves. With 93% of ebook-reading kids ages 2-3 now doing so on a weekly basis, the children’s market is coming of age as much as the children at the center of it. Read more on Digital Book World
In 2014, the self-help and graphic novels categories had the fastest growth in print book unit sales among adult segments, at outlets that report to Nielsen BookScan. Over the course of the year, these categories posted gains of 15% and 13%, respectively, compared to 2013.
Keith Moerer, Director of Apple’s iBookstore, revealed that Apple’s iBookstore is growing at a million users per month and has seen 1 billion book downloads. In an interview at the Digital Book World conference in New York, Moerer answers it all. Read the full article on Publishing Perspectives
With the children’s book market constantly growing, we wonder why it is that kids pick up a book in the first place. To explore the reading attitudes and experience that most influence children’s reading habits, Scholastic has released the findings of its Kids & Family Reading Report.
This business economic report is a very useful tool for members. The author Willem Struik has extensive and in depth knowledge of the industry that spans many years.
The children’s book market has grown 44% in the last decade. Why? Because, as Nielsen’s Children’s Book Summit detailed, kids and teens still read…a lot.
Read the full article by Erin L Cox on Publishing Perspectives.
The landscape in South Africa at the end of 2014
The recent news of Kalahari and Takealot.com’s merging prompted Bookmark to take a quick look at the online retail landscape in South Africa at the moment.
Derek Wiggill, MD of mobile payment solutions company Zap Group, notes in an article on Itweb.co.za recently that the merger indicates a gradually maturing market as more South African shoppers turn their attention “from bricks and mortar to clicks and mortar”. He adds that the logistics of after-sales services, including delivery of goods, remains a challenge locally, “but joining forces helps overcome the challenge”. Read more
October 2013 to October 2014 to include Christmas period 2013.
The year so far has been one of a weakening currency, tighter customer purse strings, Eskom black-outs and mall robberies. The spirit of bookselling nonetheless prevailed with a momentous comeback by Exclusive Books, continued expansion by Bargain Books and enduring independents. Read more
My experience – 30 years in public libraries
So who says that nothing has got better over the past half century?
When I got my first library job 37 years ago, the bookstock of the service for which I worked was still segregated. Books for Whites had white datesheets and stationery; books for Blacks had blue. Whites (usually wanting to jump the queue for bestsellers) were allowed to use Black copies if they wanted, but Under No Circumstances were Blacks allowed to use White copies. As young librarians we had great fun getting confused about who was what, why, when…. Read more
