New for fall: naked books

Will Ferrell's puffed-up anchorman, Ron Burgundy, indicated his sophistication by keeping a collection of "many leather-bound books" -- and Burgundy would certainly rather lose his mustache than have a paper-coated volume muck up that rich look.

This fall, the New York Observer reports, new hardcover editions sans traditional dust jackets will be on bookshelves everywhere. Cover designs will instead be embossed directly onto the cardboard cover, giving it an understated, elegant look.