Publisher is matching donations — a new book for each dollar given — at First Book through December 31st.
Every dollar donated through Dec. 31 to First Book will be matched by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing with an entire book, up to a million new books. First Book is a nonprofit organization that gives away new books to children in need. When a donation is made the giver can download and personalize a card to notify someone of the gift, or an e-card can be sent instantly. To donate go to First Book’s site at http://www.firstbook.org
Book stores show strong jump in sales from November to December.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. retailers with sizable jumps in sales between November and December 2006 were as follows: book stores (86 percent); clothing stores (49 percent); jewelry stores (155 percent); radio, TV and other electronics stores (60 percent); and sporting goods stores (65 percent).
Source: Service Sector Statistics
http://www.census.gov/mrts/www/mrts.html
Obama’s book tops Amazon’s popular gift list
Amazon.com’s most popular gift for 2006 was Barack Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope. It was the only book among their 19 most popular gifts for the year.
http://www.amazon.com/Most-Popular-Gifts-of-2006/lm/R11C4C9IL2I0UD
Boston-area library in 15th year of holiday book-giving program
The Acton Memorial Library in Acton, Massachusetts is currently in its 15th year of the popular Holiday Book Program. Donors purchase pre-selected titles from the library’s “wish list” in order to add to the library’s collection. The giver receives a card and a bookplate to dedicate to recipients with their name inside the purchased book, and a chance to be the first to read the book once it is processed. Last year, gifts totaled more than $1,500.
http://www.actonmemoriallibrary.org/Good-Word-No95.pdf