The momentum that started in June at Barnes & Noble with the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix continued into September, as comparable-store sales at B&N's superstores increased 5.8%. Comparable-store sales at B. Dalton Bookseller, which makes up about 5% of the company's bookstore revenue, edged up 0.7% for the month.

Bestsellers for the company included Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Phil McGraw's The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution, Madonna's The English Roses and Oprah's latest classic favorite, Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton.