Yay!

I know many publishers are a bit concerned about book sales right now because of our country's economic slump. Today's Shelf Awareness newsletter shows that while says aren't through the roof, they're not declining, which in my book means a little celebration is in order.
Keep up the book-buying!

May Bookstore Sales: 2.6% Rise, Up 4.9% for the Year

After a blockbuster April, when bookstore sales rose 8%, bookstore sales in May were up 2.6% to $1.154 billion, according to preliminary estimates from the Census Bureau. For the year to date, bookstore sales have risen 4.9% to $6.604 billion.

By comparison, total retail sales in May rose 2% to $364.570 billion. For the year to date, total retail sales were up 3.3% to $1,667.529 billion.

Note: under Census Bureau definitions, bookstore sales are of new books and do not include "electronic home shopping, mail-order, or direct sale" or used book sales.