Buy Books!

Yes, it’s a hard time in publishing these days. Everyone knows it (unless you’re lucky enough to be a bestselling author or a publisher with books that are selling really well). Just ask the booksellers, the publishers, the authors, and especially the editors who have been downsized in just the last few weeks. Book sales are down, in general, and it’s a sign of the hard economic times. But it’s also a sign of a change in how information is obtained and what the public wants as some are beginning to prefer reading their books electronically or as e-books. Just as some magazines are going to online only formats, why, when, and whether someone will buy a book is changing.

If you love books, make sure you show that love of books in your own purchasing behaviors. If you’re going to give someone a gift, whether it’s for a holiday or for a birthday or another special occasion, try to include a book with that gift or even consider giving a book as the only gift. But you can add a book to any gift and still support the book industry and the publishers, authors, and even the printers, illustrators, indexers, and wholesalers who are part of this vital industry. If you want to give a romantic partner a piece of jewelry, consider including a book of poetry as well. Cooking utensils or dishes for the newlyweds? How about adding a classic or new and innovative cookbook or two? A shirt for a teen who is graduating from high school? How about a novel or two that he might enjoy? A blouse or sweater for a new college student? She might find a collection of essays, short stories, or a novel might be a welcome gift as well.

I have books dating back to my earliest years and I save those books especially the ones inscribed it to me, particularly if it was a gift. I have a hardcover collection of Shakespeare’s sonnets that I bought for myself when I was in high school. The cover has multicolored design work that makes the physical book a pleasure to behold, not just the words. When I met my husband, his first gift to me twenty-four years ago was Stick, a novel by Elmore Leonard, one of his favorite contempoary novelists.

Just as boxed sets of DVDs of movies and TV series are “hot” gift items, books need to be included in those “wish lists” if we are to see the book industry thrive, not just survive. Have you bought a book today?

I recently received an e-mail from Pat Schroeder, CEO and President of The Association of American Publishers (AAP), letting me know that our association has just launched a new website:  www.booksaregreatgifts.com. Check it out!