Book News, In Brief

Andrew Slack is a "Harry Potter rabbi," a kids' lit enthusiast and licensed circumcisionist who blends B.C. scripture with J.K.'s writings. Crazier still? He's not the only one.


It's a fact: Supermarkets sell one in every five books bought in the UK. (But we bookstores could totally horn in on their ice cream sales if Ben & Jerry's would just okay a lit-themed ice cream!)


While I whole-heartedly recommend reading The Bookshop Blog's advertising tips for indie bookstores, I can't help but notice that they missed the indies' most popular and enduring marketing gimmick: Free bookmarks.


With controversial corrective measures like "Throw out the computers," Condalmo's Prescription for Libraries may seem like a bitter pill. Still, with the exception of "Audiobook Storytimes," I agree with every idea.


Grand motivational speeches, staff dinners, and one on one conversations -- these and other glaringly obvious ideas make the Harvard Business Review's recommended methods for Inspiring Employees at a Grass-Roots Level.


On the opposite side of the employee-relations spectrum, the following note was posted in a bookstore's backroom on the 4th of July:
The past NO longer matters. It doesn’t matter who you are, how long you have worked here, or what your position is. If I do not feel that you are working hard meaning (selling make titles, shelving carts, cleaning the store, borders rewards, customer service, etc.) You WILL lose your hours and others will get them.
To find out which big box bookstore threatens their staff this way, click here.