Anyone notice that books at Borders and Barnes & Noble

[dennis4868]

that have to do with current events and politics are only from conservative and right wing authors? I went to these bookstores today and all that I saw were these crazy books from nutwing authors...so many anti-Obama books and not one books by a liberal or progressive. What the hell is going on here? I know there are books out there that have been recently been published that are by progressives but they are not in the bookstores, at least not the stores I was in today.

[Tunkamerica]

1. they display what they think will sell

as someone who worked at barnes and noble for several years.

[obxhead]

2. I have not been to either in years.

Can find books used for 1/4th of the price a little later or can buy them on amazon for at least some savings.

[Ozymanithrax]

3. Here in my piece of San Diego, that is not true...

I find a mix of both, though there are more conservative books on the shelves.

[Ian David]

4. The books are displayed according to the slotting fees paid by the publishers. n/t

[Jakes Progress]

5. Probably has to do with where you live.

I see conservative books more prominently displayed here in Texas. Unfortunately, they sell better here than books that tell the truth.

It could be that you have a rabid, tea-party store manager, but more likely, the books displayed are the ones they think will sell. Those establishments are in such trouble that they would put anything out if it will sell.

Not good signs in any of the reasons, but probably less to do with ideology than economy.

[karynnj]

14. But the conservative books are also prominently displayed in MANHATTAN

- even at the Union Square Barnes & Noble. (That's an area that typically goes 80 to 90% for Democrats. Ian is right - the publisher's pay slotting fees.) Hudson News, which in many of our airports, Penn Station etc is worse.

[quiller4]

6. I suspect that differes from store to store. In my area there are

very few conservative books prominently displayed. "The Promise" by Jonathan Alter is featured in a big display at my Baarnes & Noble. There was also a promotional poster for the new Woodward book in the window.

[zbdent]

7. I thought that Regnery and Moon and such bought up all the copies

so that they'd be on the NYTimes' Best Seller list ...

how did these stores have any left?

[Barking Spider]

8. individual B&N stores generally have little choice

The "monthly planner" dictates the exact position of almost every book on display tables, dumps (those free standing cardboard displays), and endcaps (end of aisle displays). The planner has pictures showing how every display should look and the store's regional manager comes by once a month and makes sure the store is in compliance. The only exceptions are when a title sells out. Stores are allowed to fill the space with something similar.

During the holidays it gets more extreme. Even the bargain section has every title precisely located.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

9. I'll have to take note next time in Pasadena

One thing we can do is call up our local libraries and ask if they have a copy of say, "The Family" by Jeff Sharett (sp??). If they do, ask to reserve a copy. If they don't, request that it be put on their BUY list. Also, if liberal authors show up in our city for book signings, that's a great time to purchase copies.

[HooptieWagon]

10. I noticed the same at local indie book store...

Perhaps the market is just flooded with wingnut books? Maybe they're subsidized by think-tanks?

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

11. I believe that's the case....

They purchase these books en masse and give them out to donors. What's left is what hits the bookshelves (and you'll notice they get remaindered pretty quickly).

[Honeycombe8]

12. Do you live in a Republican area? Book stores usu. put on display what they think will sell.

Even at Sam's, I've looked to see if all they display is right wing (the Sam's owner being a big right wing nut). But no, Sam's will have the latest big selling book on display, whatever it is, be it Clinton's autobiography, Palin's latest book, Obama's book...whatever.

Book stores worship the mighty dollar. I live in a Republican area, so I see more right wing books, generally, at all stores. But if a left wing book is selling, it'll be on display, too.

One disconcerting thing I saw at Sam's, though: When Obama's book (Dreams of My Father..or whatever the title) came out, it was at Sam's, but someone had turned it upside down. (Upside down, as we all know from watching horror movies, is the sign of the devil.) I turned it right side up. (I already owned it, so didn't buy it.)

[budkin]

13. They are going for that "Angry at Government" market

[4lbs]

15. Were those books in the dollar bargain bin?

[RamboLiberal]

16. Cause RW'ers are writing more damn books

Everyone on that side seems to have written one or more Anti-Obama, Anti-liberal book.

I post every liberal book that is new down in the non-fiction section of DU - go down there & look - you will see very few listings.

There seems to be not more than 1 or 2 liberal books in any given month if that.

Maybe RW'ers buy more books than liberals in that genre.

Can't blame the stores if the RW books outnumber the liberal books 10 - 1.

I'll give the RW'ers credit for one thing - they're damn prolific turning out books. Of course they have their own publishing houses & bulk buyers as well.

[bigwillq]

17. No

the ones I go to see to have a mix of both conservative and liberal viewpoints.