Looks like the last quarter of 2013 was a good one for book sales…

After falling for three consecutive months, bookstore sales rose 6.3% in September, to $1.30 billion, according to preliminary estimates released Wednesday morning by the Census Bureau. Despite the rebound in September, bookstore sales for the first nine months of 2013 were down 1.5%, to $10.10 billion compared to the same period in 2012.

For the entire retail segment, September sales were up 3.1% and rose 4.3% for the January-September period. Analysts were optimistic that sales would remain robust through the holiday season.

*Statistics courtesy of Publishers Weekly

If you’re a writer seeking inspiration during the busy holiday season, try Edinburgh, Scotland. Hey, it worked for J.K. Rowling!

This quaint but bustling town is the perfect place for creative types, from arts and theater to boutique shopping and dining. During the holidays, a special light show, including spectacular fireworks, can be seen illuminating the sky from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. If you like hearing carolers, you’ll delight in seeing and hearing Bagpipes play “Amazing Grace” around the Sir Walter Scott Monument. While there, you may choose to have your holiday meal at Witchery by the Castle (near Edinburgh Castle). Highlights include fine wine and Loch Duart salmon. The Balmoral is the perfect place to fill in a few pages of your journal before nodding off to sleep.

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