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E-readers are Rewriting Retailers' Bestseller Lists

Written by Peter Devereaux | Dec 31, 2010 6:00:00 AM

While many in the traditional publishing industry couldn't wait to close the books on 2010, the makers of the leading e-book readers were trumpeting their record-setting year-end sales of the devices.

 

Earlier this week, Amazon announced that its third-generation Kindle is now the best-selling item in the company's history after recently overtaking the "Deathly Hallows" seventh book in the Harry Potter series. Not to be outdone, Barnes and Noble announced on Thursday that its e-reader, the Nook, now qualifies as B&N's all-time bestseller.

 

The Nook Color, introduced in October, was Barnes and Noble's leading holiday seller, the company said. The statement released also included the news that Barnes and Noble now sells more e-books than traditional books through its online bookstore. On Christmas Day, the company reported, customers bought or downloaded close to one million e-books during the 24-hour span.

 

Meanwhile, Amazon claims that more people turned on their new Kindles, downloaded more Kindle apps and bought more Kindle e-books on Christmas Day than any other day in the history of the device. Simply put, the e-book market is white-hot as we head into the New Year.