One of these books can't be shared like the others

As it stands now, eBooks are made available through mostly proprietary book stores like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the iBookstore.  Other companies like Kobo, Sony Library and Fictionwise offer eBooks that work on their selected devices or apps, but can also work on other devices.  Those stores use the ePub format, which was supposed to be the universal format.  ePub is actually used by Barnes & Noble and Apple as well, though some extra Digital Rights Management (DRM) is added on top of the existing ePub DRM in those stores.

Micheal Serbinis of Kobo, when interviewed by Reuters, mentioned that he expects readers will one day be able to lend books to each other.  This is already available on the Nook from Barnes & Noble, though on no other platform.  A world where Kindle users can share books with nook owners would be nice to see, which a universally adopted format could help with.

Susan Peterson Kennedy of Penguin Publishing claimed that “contrary to popular belief, the book is much more flexible [than eBooks].”  Without a universal format that can be true.  EBooks, however, can be used almost anywhere, which is almost more flexible.  Books like “Only Revolutions” by Mark Z. Danielewski {Wikipedia} have proven that the book can do more interesting things, but for most stories and simple text file that can be read on a computer, eReader, tablet and cell phone would just as easily suffice.

A few Bookmarc products spotted among the usual belts, T-shirts and key chains sold in the Accessories Shop included colored pencils, book covers and pencil cases. Photos of Bookmarc colored pencils were posted by twitter users (@psimadethis) who had the chance to visit the shop last weekend. {Racked NY}

It seems Mr. Jacobs is out to turn fashion-minded grade school goers into the chicest of their classmates.

Due to open this winter, Marc Jacobs†bookstore at 400 Bleecker will replace the renamed and relocated Biography Book Shop, which had occupied the space for 20 years. It will be his sixth Bleecker Street location, but signs on the shop windows make no mention of Marc Jacobs, with only the words, “A bookstore will be opening here Winter 2010,” prompting speculation that the store is attempting to pose as an indie establishment.{Racked NY} And if you can’t wait until then, Racked is giving away the colored pencils, notebook and other supplies pictured above to one fan who submits the most popular drawing of Jacobs to the Racked Facebook page.

We canâ€t help but admit the Bookmarc brand name is attractively clever, but whether any actual books – and what kind – will appear on the shelves is yet to be seen. {The Cut}

Clockwise from top left: Pottery Barn Bedford Photo Bookends, $19 – $34; Eric Janssen’s Quote/Unquote Bookends on Unica Home, $89; West Elm Cast Metal Animals, $26; Gump’s Stag Head’s Bookends, $128;

Ballard Designs Fleur de Lis Bookends, $35.

Clockwise from top left: Williams-Sonoma Glass & Stainless-Steel Cookbook Holder, $39.50; Wisteria Iron Floral Cookbook Stand, $34; Bamboo Recipe Book Holder on Amazon, $14.99; Napa Style Cucina Cookbook Stand, $39; Sadie Olive Gold Leaf Book Holder, $45.

Clockwise from top left: Pottery Barn Mercer Bathtub Caddy, $69;  Umbra Concealed Bookshelf on Amazon, $14.88; West Elm Spine Wood Bookcase, $179; Peacock Book Boxes on Target, $39.99; Anthropologie Preening Pen, $20; Wisteria Book Boxes, $49.