Total net book sales in November in the U.S. rose 10.3%, to $1.145 billion, compared to November 2023, representing sales of 1,279 publishers and distributed clients as reported to the Association of American Publishers. For January through November, net book sales rose 7.3%, to $13.3 billion.

In November, net trade sales rose 7.9%, to $919.8 million. Among trade categories, adult sales were up 9.7%, to $570.8 million, while children's/YA sales slipped 1.2%, to $247.1 million.

Also in trade, hardcover sales rose 6.9%, to $384.9 million, paperback sales rose 7.7%, to $286.6 million, mass market sales jumped 17.5%, to $11.6%. E-books sales rose 2.7% to $83.3 million.

Sales by category for November 2024:

After four years at its current location, Fitz Books and Waffles, Buffalo, N.Y., will be moving this spring to a new, permanent home at 1462 Main St.. In a social media post, owner Aaron Bartley wrote: "We have made many magical memories with our customers and friends at 433 Ellicott, and we thank you for the unforgettable times. But we always knew that a move was in our future--the owners of 433 Ellicott will be converting the building into apartments in the coming year."

Rendering of Fitz's new location

He described the new space as "big and beautiful, with ample room for our books and our art shows and a dedicated space for our cafe and events. And yes, we will have a patio!"

To begin focusing on the move, Fitz Books will close its current store on February 15, but patrons "can celebrate a fantastic four years at the 'old' FITZ by attending our Huge Book Sale beginning on Thursday, February 6th or our 'Last Night at the Old FITZ' party on Wednesday, February 12th," Hartley noted.

The impending move "is huge news for a section of Main Street that is on the precipice of significant change," Buffalo Rising reported, adding that 1462 Main Street "is located in close proximity to a number of other key developments that will be coming to pass in the near future."

Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shop, Windham

Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops will open a new store in Saco, Maine, this spring, the Saco Bay News reported.

The new store will be located in the Saco Valley Shopping Center at 4 Scammon St., and Sherman's owner Jeff Curtis expects to open in April or May. Noting that many of Sherman's older stores are in downtown storefronts while the newer stores are in shopping centers, Curtis told the Saco Bay News that the Saco Valley Shopping Center "offers the best of both," with close proximity to Main Street and ample parking.

Sherman's was founded in 1886 in Bar Harbor, Maine. It operates nine stores throughout Maine.

For the first time in a decade, Amazon has publicly threatened a major publisher with banishment from its site as a negotiating tactic. It happened yesterday when the company said that as of tonight, it would stop selling Bloomsbury print books in the U.K., Europe, and Australia and stop selling Bloomsbury e-books worldwide. (Bloomsbury print books in the U.S. were not affected.) But several hours later, both Amazon and Bloomsbury announced that they had come to an agreement and that Bloomsbury titles would continue to be sold as usual. The spat was reminiscent of public battles over the agency model and e-book pricing with Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan in the U.S. in 2014 and with Macmillan in 2010. The terms at issue in the current dispute were not divulged.

The public fight began yesterday when Amazon posted a notice on its U.K. website, announcing the ban and blaming Bloomsbury: "Our contract to sell Bloomsbury titles was scheduled to expire last year. We extended the contract under its current terms several times in an effort to reach an agreement, but despite our best efforts over the last seven months, Bloomsbury has refused to engage in a good faith negotiation to discuss a new contract to sell their titles in our store. Unfortunately, the latest extension expires at midnight on the 23rd of January and after that time, Amazon will no longer be able to sell Bloomsbury print books in the U.K., Europe, and Australia, or Bloomsbury Kindle books worldwide."

Amazon added, "Our expired terms with Bloomsbury were far out of sync with other publishers who sell books through our store. Unlike other U.K. publishers, with whom we've successfully negotiated in recent years, Bloomsbury has refused to recognize our continued investments in bringing books in all formats to readers. Among other investments, we have built comprehensive distribution throughout the U.K. and E.U. post-Brexit, added innovations in digital reading, and expanded our printing network and capacity, all of which have benefited readers and authors, and proved profitable for publishers."

Later that evening, Bloomsbury issued this statement: "Yesterday evening, Amazon informed Bloomsbury that they would no longer sell Bloomsbury print books in the U.K., Europe, and Australia, or Bloomsbury e-books worldwide from midnight. We have been in discussions with Amazon over terms since last summer. At no point during these discussions did Amazon say that they would take such action. We learned about this at the same time that Amazon issued a public statement and was contacting Bloomsbury authors and agents. We have now reached agreement with Amazon in order to ensure the continued availability of our titles on Amazon."

Scott Renzoni, an actor, poet, and bookseller who most recently worked at the Bookstore in Lenox, Mass., died January 9. He was 53. "It is with deep regret and sadness that we must report the passing of our great friend and esteemed colleague, Scott 'Renzo' Renzoni," Matt Tannenbaum, owner of the Bookstore, posted on Facebook. "An actor, poet, mimic, bookseller, and bartender, Renzo will be sorely missed by the Bookstore, Shakespeare & Company, and the surrounding arts community."

Scott Renzoni

As an Equity actor, Renzoni performed at numerous theaters in New England, including Shakespeare & Company, Majestic Theater, Lost Nation Theater, and Vermont Stage. His many other roles included Judevine, a play by David Budbill. With David's daughter, Nadine, he co-ran the Literary Estate of David Budbill, a Facebook page honoring the late poet and playwright.

Renzoni's poetry was published in multiple outlets, including a recent poem selected for the 2023 Fish Anthology by former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, with whom he had a close friendship.

"Suddenly, we have lost a good man," Collins posted on social media. "Renzo Scott Renzoni was a faithful follower of The Poetry Broadcast, an actor, poet, bartender, and Jeopardy! champ, and he was and a pleasure to spend time with. Renzo had a wry sense of humor and he always saw the double meanings in language. My wife, Suzannah, and I were fortunate to spend time in his company in Lenox, Mass., and I was happy he came to see me read in Albany last month. I will miss him greatly."

Renzoni's obituary noted that his "love of the arts was built on a lifetime of voracious reading. He owned many hundreds of books and loved bookshops. In the 1990s, he worked at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco, Calif.... One of the world's great trivia mavens, Renzo was a four-time Jeopardy! champion in 2004."

In a post earlier this week, Tannenbaum noted: "Thank you all for your kind words about our dear friend Renzo. While a memorial is being planned for February, we do plan on raising a glass to him at our next event on Sunday, January 26th, 4 p.m. here at The Bookstore."

The two most popular books in December at Reading Group Choices were The Players by Minette Walters (Blackstone Publishing) and Poor Deer by Claire Oshetsky (Ecco).

Posted on Facebook by Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, Vt.: "Congratulations Dan and Mandie! We are so honored you chose Northshire as the location for your engagement. We wish you a lifetime of happiness (and great books, of course)!"

"The world belongs to those who read." That was the sidewalk chalkboard message shared recently by Schuler Books, with stores in Grand Rapids, Okemos, Ann Arbor, and West Bloomfield, Mich.

Lauren O'Donnell has been promoted to manager, marketing services for Ingram Publisher Services and will be responsible for managing business-to-business marketing internationally. She has been with Ingram since 2018.

Book-to-film adaptations led the way yesterday as nominees were announced for the 97th Academy Awards. Emilia Pérez, with 13 nominations, topped the list, followed by Wicked with 10. On March 2, the Oscars will be televised live on ABC and worldwide. Book-related standouts among the major category nominees include:

Emilia Pérez, adapted from an opera that was inspired by the novel Écoute by Boris Razon: Best picture; international feature film; directing (Jacques Audiard); actress in a leading role (Karla Sofía Gascón); actress in a supporting role (Zoe Saldaña); cinematography (Paul Guilhaume); film editing (Juliette Welfling); writing, adapted screenplay (Jacques Audiard); makeup & hairstyling; music, original score (Clément Ducol & Camille); music, original song ("El Mal" & "Mi Camino"); sound

Wicked, a film adaptation of the musical based on Gregory Maguire's novel: Best picture; actress in a leading role (Cynthia Erivo); actress in a supporting role (Ariana Grande); costume design (Paul Tazewell); film editing (Myron Kerstein); makeup & hairstyling; music, original score (John Powell & Stephen Schwartz); production design; sound; visual effects

A Complete Unknown, based on the book Dylan Goes Electric by Elijah Wald: Best picture; directing (James Mangold); actor in a leading role (Timothée Chalamet); actor in a supporting role (Edward Norton); actress in a supporting role (Monica Barbaro); writing, adapted screenplay (James Mangold & Jay Cocks); costume design; sound

Conclave, adapted from the novel by Robert Harris: Best picture; actor in a leading role (Ralph Fiennes); actress in a supporting role (Isabella Rossellini); writing, adapted screenplay (Peter Straughan); costume design (Lisy Christl); film editing (Nick Emerson); music, original score (Volker Bertelmann); production design

The Nickel Boys, based on Colson Whitehead's novel: Best picture; writing, adapted screenplay (RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes)

Dune: Part Two, based on the novel by Frank Herbert: Cinematography (Greig Fraser); production design; sound; visual effects

I'm Still Here, based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva's memoir Ainda Estou Aqui: International feature film; actress in a leading role (Fernanda Torres)

Nosferatu, inspired by Bram Stoker's novel Dracula: Cinematography (Jarin Blaschke); costume design (Linda Muir); makeup & hairstyling; production design

Black Box Diaries, produced and directed by Shiori Ito, author of the memoir Black Box: Documentary feature film

The Wild Robot, based on the novel by Peter Brown: Animated feature film; music, original score (Kris Bowers); sound

Magic Candies, inspired by the Korean picture book: Animated short film

Winners have been announced for the 74th National Jewish Book Awards and include:

10/7: 100 Human Stories by Lee Yaron (St. Martin's), which won the Everett Family Foundation Book of the Year Award.

Songs for the Brokenhearted by Ayelet Tsabari (Random House) won the JJ Greenberg Memorial Award in Fiction.

The Story of Your Obstinate Survival by Daniel Khalastchi (University of Wisconsin Press) won Berru Award for Poetry in Memory of Ruth and Bernie Weinflash.

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden (Avid Reader Press/S&S) won the Debut Fiction Goldberg Prize.

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew by Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby (Simon Element) won the Education and Jewish identity Award in Memory of Dorothy Kripke.

In addition, Aaron Lansky, founder of the Yiddish Book Center, won the Mentorship Award in Honor of Carolyn Starman Hessel.

Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg won a Lifetime Achievement Award on the occasion of the publication of his latest book, The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism (The Jewish Publication Society/University of Nebraska Press).

Other winners and finalists in several categories can be seen here. The winners will be honored on March 12 in New York City.

photo: Iliana Wilson

Carter Wilson is the author of 10 standalone psychological thrillers as well as numerous short stories. He is an ITW Thriller Award finalist, a five-time winner of the Colorado Book Award, and his works have been optioned for television and film. Additionally, he is the host of the podcast Making It Up and founder of Unbound Writer, which provides coaching services, writing retreats, and online classes. His latest novel, Tell Me What You Did (Poisoned Pen Press, January 28), is a thriller that features a host of a popular true-crime podcast and asks the question: Are murderers always the bad guys?

Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:

Poe Webb hosts a popular podcast in which anonymous guests confess their crimes. A guest stuns her by confessing to having killed Poe's mother.

On your nightstand now:

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann. You might be surprised to hear I mostly read nonfiction, and this beautiful volume details an 18th-century shipwreck and the amazing stories of its survivors.

Favorite book when you were a child:

Child? Not sure I even remember. But as a teen, it was undoubtedly The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. It was the first time I realized books could be fun.

Your top five authors:

Stephen King
Erik Larson
James Clavell
Douglas Adams
Cormac McCarthy

Book you've faked reading:

I don't fake reading books--I wear my literary ignorance proudly on my chest. I'll be the first to tell you I haven't read something or have no idea what your clever reference means. Gravity's Rainbow? Ulysses? I'm good, thanks.

Book you're an evangelist for:

William Goldman's The Princess Bride. This might have been the only book I had to read in high school English that I fell in love with. The sheer creativity of Goldman is astonishing.

Book you've bought for the cover:

Well, it's much more common I don't buy a book because of the cover. But I will say I was persuaded by the gorgeousness of Anne Rice's complete Vampire Chronicles. Gorgeous wrought-iron detailing all over the cover of that one.

Book you hid from your parents:

Are you kidding? My parents would have loved to have seen me reading but I couldn't be bothered; I don't think I started reading for pleasure consistently until my 20s. If anything, I was hiding albums from my parents. Quiet Riot's Metal Health comes to mind. Back then, that was basically listening to Satanic music.

Book that changed your life:

The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Not sure any book has truly changed my life, but The Road is a book that forces you to read every single word. I can't think of any other author whose use of language is as compelling as McCarthy's.

Favorite line from a book:

"Don't Panic." --Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Five books you'll never part with:

Well, they would all have to be signed editions, wouldn't they? I'd go with:

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
When I Died for the First Time by Tim Booth
Six Years by Harlan Coben
Particle Theory by Edward Bryant
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

The Stand by Stephen King (unabridged version). What a story; 1,200 pages has never felt so pulse-pounding. I've read it twice.

Brianna Labuskes explores union politics, gender and power dynamics, and the role of artists in society in her sweeping third historical novel, The Boxcar Librarian. Through the lives of three determined women whose paths cross in Montana during the Great Depression, Labuskes (The Lost Book of Bonn, The Librarian of Burned Books) examines the power of stories to move people, provide a balm for losses, and inspire a new way of living.

Labuskes begins her narrative in 1936 with Millie Lang, a Texan transplanted to Washington, D.C., and assigned to the Federal Writers' Project. Millie soon finds herself traveling to Montana to unravel a mystery: the FWP's Missoula staff submitted a box of blank forms and near-gibberish essays for the FWP's series of U.S. travel guides. When Millie meets the staff, who strike her as intelligent and thoughtful, she's convinced they're hiding something. But what?

Twelve years earlier, in 1924, Alice Monroe, sheltered daughter of Missoula's mayor, connects with Colette Durand, who has spent her life listening to her miner father, Claude, quote Shakespeare and fight for his fellow miners' rights. When Alice creates a library housed in a train boxcar to deliver books to workers and their families in Montana's far-flung mining camps, Colette applies for the position of librarian. Now orphaned, Colette has her own reasons--other than love of books--for taking the job. She convinces Alice to come along on the boxcar library's inaugural journey, which brings life-changing events for both women.

Labuskes paints a dynamic portrait of a rough-and-tumble Montana dominated by mining camps and the men who control them: the Anaconda Copper Mining Company pulls many of the strings in the state. But Labuskes's focus is on individuals: Millie's coworkers, including grumpy mystery writer Oscar and wry, wise secretary Flo; single mother Sofia Rossi, struggling to keep herself and her children afloat; and the boxcar library's patrons, many of whom haven't picked up a book in years. From fireside Shakespeare performances to adventure stories and even romance, Colette and Alice relish the chance to connect the miners and their families with books that stir the heart.

In 1936, Millie is eager to recover the missing travel guide material and possibly build a home for herself in this wild state. As she travels around Montana with her coworkers, Millie uncovers long-buried secrets related not only to Alice and Colette's stint as librarians, but to the work of unions and to Claude Durand's murder.

With engaging characters and a layered plot that combines political events, personal journeys, and a love of literature, The Boxcar Librarian is a treat for history fans and book lovers. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams

Shelf Talker: Brianna Labuskes's sweeping third historical novel weaves together libraries, union politics, and the lives of three determined women in Depression-era Montana.

At Blue Cypress Books, New Orleans

I have shoveled. I have salted. I am scarfed. A bird flew into the doorway and back out again. The furnace keeps a steady tempo with Blue Note albums in the background. It's a great day to run a bookshop. 

--Maze Books, Rockford, Ill.

This has been an epic week for the "Winter Is Coming" crowd, whatever your political ("This never happened when it was the Gulf of Mexico. I hate the Gulf of America," one wag on social media proclaimed) or meteorological affiliations may be. From an indie booksellers' perspective, the Polar Vortex has had an impact. 

Weather alerts were posted from Canada (Blue Heron Books, Uxbridge, Ont., Canada: "Brr! We hope everyone is staying warm during this Polar Vortex that just won't let up.") to Holland, Mich. (the Bluestocking Bookshop: "When school has called a #snowday, but there's still a lot to do today. I think I'll write some reviews, plan some social posts, update some online listings, do a little online learning, plan a revolution after the events of yesterday... you know, just #smallbusinessthings.") to New Orleans, La. ("Octavia Books as you have never seen it before.... Open today if you can get here.")

Octavia Books, New Orleans

The Village Bookstore, Pleasantville, N.Y., was offering "Polar Vortex Survival Kits." On the Side Books, Bradford, Pa., observed: "It's colder than Jack Torrence at the end of The Shining outside!"

Just to complicate the forecast, there was also an Onyx Storm front, with more than a thousand midnight release parties held Tuesday for the latest novel by Rebecca Yarros. "It might be bitterly cold outside, but things are heating up in the Empyrean series! Put those adult snow days to good use and pick up a copy of Onyx Storm," Fine Print Bookshop, Saline, Mich., posted.

Dorothy June Booksellers, Foley, Ala.

Dorothy June Booksellers, Foley, Ala., noted: "Onyx Storm?! More like snow storm! Happy Release Day to all who celebrate!! Hope you can all curl up and dive in while the beautiful snow keeps falling."

Perhaps the most startling winter's tale has been the ongoing battle in the south with record-breaking "snow events," as the TV weather folks like to call them. Many shops had to close, at least temporarily, like the Haunted Bookshop, Mobile, Ala.: "Oh my!!! Needless to say, we'll be closed today. I walked over and opened just in case anyone who lives in walking distance wanted #onyxstorm but will be closing at noon. We will see you on Thursday!"

Other southern booksellers dealing with unaccustomed snowfall totals included: 

The NewSouth Bookstore, Montgomery, Ala.: "A few members of the staff at The NewSouth Bookstore saw something yesterday they have hardly ever seen before: snow in Montgomery! We enjoyed a few snowy hours in the early afternoon, and with minimal complaining about the cold we settled in for a quiet rest of the afternoon as cars and customers similarly stayed off the streets. The downtown has never looked prettier."

Blue Cypress Books, New Orleans, La.: "Hi from your first favorite sentient bookstore. We're here right now. (Like in the building. Because three of us can walk here and volunteered to come in.) You can also come here right now (or until 5pm) IF YOU CAN WALK HERE. Do not get in your car and drive here. You have to promise. And don't lie to your bookstore, she'll know."

Cavalier House Books, Denham Springs, La.

Cavalier House Books, Denham Springs, La.: We are still in Winter Wonderland, folks!... Bundle up and tackle your TBR!"

E. Shaver Bookstore, Savannah, Ga.: "Our lovely bookshop in the snow!"

Main Street Reads, Summerville, S.C.: "Yep, that's REAL SNOW y'all (and a lot of ice underneath and on the roads). We will remained CLOSED today for the safety of our team and our readers. We'll post about tomorrow but not looking much better for a thaw. 'Til we meet again, please stay safe, curl up with a good book, and we'll see you on Main Street soon enough."

Books to be Red, Ocracoke, N.C.: "Ocracoke is abuzz this morning! Lots of virgin snow to traipse through, don't you just love putting the first footsteps down."

Snow Days were declared all over the southern weather map:

Columbus Bound Bookshop, Columbus, Ga.: "Snow day."

Downtown Books, Manteo, N.C.: "SNOW DAY!! We got nearly 6 inches in Manteo so we're calling it--today's a snow day!"

Red Stick Reads, Baton Rouge, La.: "Winter has arrived in Baton Rouge , and we are closed for a SNOW day! May your day find you having fun in the snow, & curled up with a good book. Seize the Snow.... Jack Frost is extending his stay in Baton Rouge, and our Winter Wonderland conditions continue."

Alienated Majesty Books, Austin, Tex.: "Open til 7 p.m. today for snow day bookshopping."

Baldwin Books, New Orleans

Baldwin & Co. Coffee & Bookstore, New Orleans, La.: "Baldwin & Co. is taking another snow day! It's the perfect excuse to dive into that book you've been meaning to read."

In the northern regions, Snow Days are a key aspect of winter survival and the very essence of a healthy reading life (Montgomery & Taggert, Chester, Conn.: "Happy snow day! Come find your next cozy read and escape into a book."), but shops like Between the Lines, Goldsboro, N.C., were quick to get in the spirit: "Have a happy snow/reading day everyone!"

Ultimately, however, Snow Days--like snowmen--are ephemeral. By Wednesday, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, Tex., was posting: "It's another arctic morning in Houston, but the sun is out and our beautiful snow is melting. Reports advise that many areas will be safely passable by afternoon.... As ever, please do not travel unless it is safe for you. The books will be here when the roads are clear, and we'll be looking forward to welcoming you. Take care, friends!"

And yesterday, Bodacious Bookstore & Cafe, Pensacola, Fla., declared: "Our snow days are officially behind us, and we’re ready to get back to the books!"