There's Growth in Them There Stacks

In addition to the slow recovery from recession, book sales in 2004 continued to be hampered by readers spending more time engaged with other media. Television, the Internet and other more interactive diversions will continue to vie for the reader's time and money, according to Dave Mead, senior vice president, sales and marketing, of Banta Book Group. Unfortunately for publishers, the increased adoption of broadband Internet access will give people more reasons to surf rather than turn pages in 2005, so the need for developing compelling titles will be even greater.