Barnes & Noble is pleased to announce the 14 finalists for their 2025 Book of the Year. The program, now in its seventh year, asks B&N booksellers across the country to nominate titles throughout the year they find truly outstanding and in which they have felt the most pride in recommending to readers. This year, the list features five novels, five nonfiction books, and four books for children and young adults. The Barnes & Noble Book of the Year is voted on by all booksellers and announced on November 13th. Sunrise on the Reaping  by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, Inc.) King of Ashes  by S. A. Cosby (Flatiron Books) Growing Home by Beth Ferry (Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers) Katabasis by R. F. Kuang (HarperCollins) This Way Up: When Maps Go Wrong (And Why It Matters) by Map Men (Hanover Square Press) I Am Rebel  by Ross Montgomery (Candlewick Press) Puzzle Mania!  by The New York Times Games (Authors Equity) Good Things by Samin Nosrat (Random House Publishing Group) There Are No Silly Questions by Mike Rampton (Nosy Crow) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, Sawyer Robbins (Hay House Inc.) Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy (Scribner) Buckeye by Patrick Ryan (Random House Publishing Group) Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser (Europa Editions, Incorporated) The Artist and the Feast by Lucy Steeds (Union Square & Co.)

Check out the latest report from J.Schmid and CohereOne. The data is in, and Labor Day weekend signaled a strong start to the fall season. The weekend drove strong engagement, with apparel and outdoor brands leading growth. Home retailers also saw strong performance. Read the full report here. https://jschmid.com/marketing-kpis-labor-day-weekend-2025-trends/

Businesses increasingly recognize the importance of environmentally friendly practices, especially when it comes to packaging, proper disposal and recycling, and using truly sustainable materials like paper. However, a new trend has emerged: companies are becoming more cautious about how they communicate these initiatives. Amid a rise in greenwashing lawsuits, where businesses are accused of overstating or misrepresenting their environmental efforts, many companies are shifting to a more subdued approach. This change reflects not only legal caution but also a growing demand for transparency and adherence to credible standards, such as the FTC’s Green Guides in the U.S. or the Competition Act in Canada. In an era when consumers actively seek eco-friendly options, companies have made efforts to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. Terms like “biodegradable,” “recyclable,” and “carbon neutral” have appeared more frequently on packaging and in marketing.