November 16, 2025

Not Kidding Around

Last week, Random House Children’s Books acquired the Ann Arbor–based publisher Cherry Lake, along with 6,000 of its trade, library, and educational titles. Lectorum, the U.S.’s preeminent indie Spanish-language distributor, announced it is shutting down thanks to a number of factors including changes in federal funding and Baker & Taylor’s collapse. Fast fashion giant Shein is partnering with Alibris to sell used books through its U.S. digital marketplace. African publishers met at the Sharjah Book Fair to discuss how they’re recommitting to local readers, despite infrastructure gaps. And Penguin Random House parent company Bertelsmann named Thomas Coesfeld as its next CEO.

Last week, Salman Rushdie (r.) accepted the Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award, presented by the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation during its annual gala event in Dayton, Ohio. As part of the ceremony, Rushdie was interviewed by journalist David Rohde (l.).
(Courtesy BMI)

Random House Buys Cherry Lake

Random House Children’s Books has acquired Cherry Lake Publishing Group, the Ann Arbor–based publisher of children’s trade, library, and educational titles; the purchase involves approximately 6,000 titles. Cherry Lake will continue to operate independently. more

Lectorum Publications to Shutter

The nation’s largest independent distributor of Spanish-language books will close its operations after more than 60 years in business, with its inventory of approximately 700,000 books scheduled for auction on December 4. more

Shein Expands into Bookselling with Alibris Partnership

Ahead of the holiday shopping season, used books retailer Alibris will offer more than 100,000 titles across a variety of genres, as well as “affordable textbooks,” through Shein’s U.S. marketplace. A recent survey by the fast fashion retailer found that reading is making a comeback among its Gen Z and millennial customers. more

African Publishers Battle ‘Wakanda Problem’ as Market Grows

At the Sharjah Publishers Conference earlier this month, speakers noted that Africa’s 54 countries often get flattened into one imaginary place. Now, publishers across the continent are fighting back by prioritizing local readers and creating their own opportunities. more

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