Peter Workman, “known in the publishing world as a genially offbeat entrepreneur of nonfiction, with an on-base percentage—in publishing terms—worthy of Cooperstown,” has died. Workman hits included The Preppy Handbook, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, and The Silver Palate Cookbook.

Barnes & Noble gets into the self-publishing game with NOOK Press.

The death of the book, like doomsday, has been predicted since time immemorial.

But: “If reading is going be all digital in fifty years, so be it.” Tim Waterstone, founder of the eponymous bookstore chain, is philosophical.

Listen to John le Carré read from his new novel.