Bookseller bought back Microsoft's stake. But it's still unclear if company might split in two.

Between competition from Amazon, and the less-than-tremendous success of its Nook, Barnes and Noble is in a tough spot.

Barnes & Noble is setting its Nook tablet free to focus on the more popular e-reader.

Add another player to the digital textbook market. Microsoft announced at $300 million investment in Barnes & Noble's Nook reader.

When you think ebooks, the iPad and the Kindle come to mind — not Microsoft Windows. But Microsoft's been losing enough ground in tablets and e-readers that today it's decided to spend $300 million to invest in Barnes & Noble's Nook digital-book business.

We found out this morning that Microsoft is investing $300 million in Barnes & Noble's digital book business. Why would the sometime rivals decide to join together?

The news that didn't quite make the headlines. This week: A Nook e-reader that won't disturb others, a list of the best, worst and most stressful jobs in the U.S., and an artist is growing chairs.

Thank goodness! More tablets!

Book war rages on

The company's e-reader has been a big success, while the rest of Barnes & Noble's business is suffering.