300, the movie about the Battle of Thermopylae based on the Frank Miller graphic novel, valiantly fought off attacks from Wild Hogs and Premonition to remain No. 1 at the box office over the weekend. The movie grossed $31.8 million over the weekend and has taken in $127.4 million in the 10 days since its release.
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The Washington Post
has a preview of the next stage of the Caravan Project, which aims to
make books available to consumers in a variety of physical and digital
formats--traditional book, POD book, e-book, online download, audio CD, audio download--involving all
elements of the industry, including publishers, wholesalers and
booksellers. Caravan head Peter Osnos first outlined the project here a
year and a half ago (Shelf Awareness, August 19, 2005).
In the next week or so, some 23 titles from seven publishers will be
available through eight independents and 10 Borders stores. Ingram is
providing major support, including technical help. More anon.
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Joseph-Beth Booksellers's flagship store in Lexington, Ky., is
undergoing a $500,000 renovation as it celebrates its 20th anniversary,
and Joseph-Beth owner Neil Van Uum is reemphasizing basics at the
store, which had a sales drop of 5% last year, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. The seven Joseph-Beth stores grossed $50 million last year.
Gary
Cremeans, general manager of the Lexington store, told the paper that
the changes at the main store will "send out a signal to the community
that 'We're here, stronger than ever.' "
The renovations will make more room for books (and a Kentucky section restored to high visibility) and add wi-fi access. Van Uum said that the store had been somewhat neglected as Joseph-Beth expanded. He continues to consider opening more stores--most likely another in Cincinnati and one in Louisville.
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In the International Herald Tribune, AP correspondent Hamza Hendawi
follows up with two Baghdad booksellers he has visited regularly for
four years. The pair's bookstore survived the book market bombing on
March 5, but the two have differing opinions on their future.
Atallah Zeidan said, "The market is dead. They can replace the books
and rebuild the shops but where are they going to find people who know
about books?"
On the other hand, Mohammed Hanash Abbas said the market "will bounce back, God willing."
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Borders Group will pay a quarterly dividend of 11 cents per share on
April 25 to shareholders of record on April 4. The amount continues a
new higher dividend, up from 10 cents a share, that began in January.
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Mann's Book Buy Book used bookstore in Redlands, Calif., "the
last bookstore downtown," is closing this month, the Press-Enterprise
reported. Owner Gregg Mann attributed the closing to high rents, too
little parking and shopping center competition. Downtown Redlands has
been in transition; a range of stores have closed and others have opened.
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Still the wild west--but with a high-tech twist! On Saturday evening a masked gunman demanded and took a
laptop from a customer at the main Tattered Cover store in Denver,
Colo., according to KWGN. Store manager Neil Strandberg told the
station that the store is providing security--including a uniformed
guard.
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Vintage Books is offering booksellers attending BEA discounted tickets to the world premiere of Joan Didion's first play, The Year of Magical
Thinking, based on her bestselling memoir, which is now playing at the
Booth Theatre. The play is directed by David Hare and stars Vanessa
Redgrave.
The offer is valid for performances between April 27 and June 30, with
some blackout dates. Performances run Tuesday-Saturday at 8 p.m., with
2 p.m. matinees on Wednesday and Saturday. Discounted prices are $55
for the Wednesday matinee; $60 for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
evenings; and $65 for Friday and Saturday shows. The offer is available
by phone 212-947-8844 or online. (Mention code YMBKP92.) Or bring a
printout from Shelf Awareness to the Booth Theatre box office.