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Clark Hoyt, the New York Times‘ public editor, offers an interesting look at how his paper’s best-seller lists are compiled (“Books for the Ages, if Not for the Best-Seller List“). Even if you feel that there is probably too much attention paid to best-seller lists and starred reviews (as I do), it’s worth reading the article to understand [...]

In the Los Angeles Times, Josh Getlin asks a number of people whether more is less (“N.Y. Times creates more bestsellers“): NEW YORK — It has been criticized for being ingrown and unscientific, a weekly work of fiction that — for all its seeming authoritativeness — is shrouded in mystery. So when the New York [...]

On NPR (“Why Women Read More Than Men“), Eric Weiner explains why Hemingway is Chick Lit: When it comes to fiction, the gender gap is at its widest. Men account for only 20 percent of the fiction market, according to surveys conducted in the U.S., Canada and Britain. By this measure, “chick-lit” would have to [...]

I did say I wouldn’t write about O.J. any more. But I plan to continue writing about lying. How to resolve this? He’s got a point.

Wait, wait! I have one more thing! I’m not trying to have the last word. Frank had all the best last words (and I’m jealous, Frank. YOU got to see Keir). But I just read this intriguing little biblio-tidbit while in the car to Joplin, MO today. It’s from Service and Style: How the American [...]

In my readers’ advisory (RA) class, I often include an assignment that asks students to visit any book store they wish and look around. What I hope they will see are examples of RA in action – in a different setting than their library. The Regulator Bookshop in Durham, N.C. offers some great RA moments [...]

There must be something in the water. Like Katie, I have been thinking about book jackets, prompted by the work of Joyce Saricks. Joyce is Booklist’s readers’ advisory (RA) columnist (see At Leisure with Joyce Saricks). She recently wrote a column on book jackets which outlines how useful jacket art and text can be when [...]

Scootch OVER, Frank! I want a turn. Frank, you amaze me. I cannot fathom how you are able to keep up with all the breaking news in the book biz. And provide pithy commentary. You get my brain buzzing about reading and writing. Now I have something to mull over in staff meetings. I appear to [...]

In the Baltimore Sun (“Hard facts oust soft chairs at bookstores“), Rob Hiaasen (any relation to Carl?) reports that bookstores are coming to the conclusion that creating a library-like environment doesn’t necessarily translate to better sales: At the Barnes & Noble at the Power Plant in the Inner Harbor, the comfy chair that once sat [...]

In the Guardian (“Downloads cast a spell on the unwary“), Charles Arthur uses Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as the launching pad for a discussion of something that hasn’t actually been talked to death yet: The thing about the internet is that it tempts people to spend money in ways that make no sense if [...]