Nielsen reports a rise in global consumer confidence, including the UK.  

Could sales of audio books overtake those of ebooks?  And here is confirmation that ebook sales are on the downturn in the UK and in the US, but still selling well in France.   Nook has stopped selling digital content in the UK; purchasers’ existing content will be available via Sainsbury’s Entertainment on Demand.

Children’s books are getting longer  and vlogger Zoella’s (short-ish) first novel is the most popular book among secondary school pupils.  Parents are concerned about their children reading interactive ebooks.

In the long-running ebook price-fixing case, Apple will not be allowed an appeal and is about to start refunding customers.  The case will cost Apple $400 million in damages and $50 million in court fees.

Waterstones’ sales are rising and the chain has been named as one of the UK’s Alternative SuperBrands for customer loyalty and engagement.  

Meanwhile  in Amazon news, the Australian book market is being targeted.   There have been rumours (later denied) of a major move into bricks and mortar in the US.  They are said to be secretly planning an ebook marketplace.  And, not so secretly, have made further moves into the grocery business.   Commentator Mike Shatzkin has some interesting thoughts on Amazon’s relationship with publishers on agency pricing.  And the Kindle Fire sort of lives up to its name.

Here’s a fairly light-hearted article on the not at all light-hearted subject of book theft.

World Book Day has just taken place.  If the dressing-up makes you grind your teeth don’t look at this (except for the last picture).  WBD set a new Guinness World Record and one lucky school got a library makeover.

The BRC forecasts a loss of 900,000 jobs in the retail sector over the next decade, but says remaining jobs will be better paid.

The Walter Scott longlist has been announced, and here’s the list of the UK’s most popular reading group  titles.  The longlist for the CILIP Carnegie Medal.  Waterstones’ Children’s Book Prize , Baily’s Fiction Prize and Orwell Prize have also all been announced recently.     Rather more esoterically here is the shortlist for the Diagram oddest book title of the year.