After months of anticipation, including Google executives at the fall regional shows, it appears that Google's e-book platform, Google Editions is indeed finally ready to launch. Yesterday, in our roundup of how independent booksellers fared over Thanksgiving, we reported that several booksellers said the launch of the much-delayed Google Editions e-book program is "imminent." And publishers have also said the debut could come within days. Today, The Wall Street Journal reported that the launch will come by the end of the year, perhaps in time to offer a boost to holiday sales, especially for independent booksellers who are a key part of Google's e-bookselling strategy.