In 2013, you’ll need to pay sales tax when buying a book from Amazon, for for now people still get away with making a tax-free purchase. And while Newtonville Boooks would always prefer to be your local vendor for all things literate, Newton does play a role in Amazon’s top sellers for 2012.

There, in the number 9 slot, is Defending Jacob by William Landay. The book, as many know, was both written by a Newton author and happens in a place that is very familiar to Newton residents.