That’s a great idea! My sister-in-law owns an independent bookstore. I suspect the idea could get some traction.
However, you’d probably need more than spines. One of the things about being in a store, is the ability to pull the book out, and look into it; maybe even ask questions of the staff.
My idea is a bit different. We might be able to get our own patent? Maybe? If anyone wants to pay for the patent, I'd be willing to split any future revenue 50/50. Could you take the idea, and do it yourself--yes. I do need something in my life I put energy into though yes! You might be helping out a disenfranchised/poor developer? I reside in the Bay Area.
My email is dandunphy@comcast.net
(On another note, I have felt for awhile Patents, and Trademarks, should be tied to income, and number of patents applied for. A poor person, like myself, pays just as much as Google for a patent. Crazy? I would like to see patent fees on a graduated scale. Companies that spit out patents daily would be charged much more for every patent. For instance, Google's first patent would be $1000. After 10 the price is 1 million per patent. After 20 the price per patent is 100 million.)
However, you’d probably need more than spines. One of the things about being in a store, is the ability to pull the book out, and look into it; maybe even ask questions of the staff.