In spite of economic gloom and competition from cheap e-readers, brick-and-mortar booksellers enter this holiday season with the humblest of expectations.  Read on: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/13/books/steve-jobs-biography-and-other-hot-titles-bookstore-lures.html?_r=2&scp=4&sq=julie%20bosman&st=cse

Fantastic New York Times Editorial on Amazon Trickery

Richard Russo interviewed several bestselling authors about the recent Amazon trickery, and the results were comforting, at least. The authors, including, Scott Turow, Stephen King, and Dennis Lehane all found Amazon’s tactics less than a stellar business practice. Read On! http://bookshopblog.com/2011/12/13/fantastic-new-york-times-editorial-on-amazon-trickery/

French book trade protests at VAT hike

French booksellers have called it a "catastrophe" that VAT rates will go up to 7% in 2012, adding 30 centimes to the price of a €20 paperback. Read On: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/french-book-trade-protests-vat-hike.html

RH expands digital team

Random House is extending its digital team, and has promoted Dan Franklin, current digital editor [pictured] to the role of digital publisher, while multi-media editor Jon Salt steps into the role of head of digital product development. For More: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/rh-expands-digital-team.html

Jellybooks: New Book Discovery Tool Offers Groupon-Style Deals

Because "people who bought this item also bought..." is too impersonal, too list-based, and simply leads to the most popular books in a category, Andrew Rhomberg is launching Jellybooks. Read on: http://publishingperspectives.com/2011/12/jellybooks-new-book-discovery-tool/