Time for another quote roundup

Why you can't help loving Lois Lowry: "One actor, playing an abusive man, felt that perhaps his line ... was dated, and could I come up with something more contemporary? I did, but it was obscene and made the theater director snort coffee out of his nose when he read it in my email."

Or, for that matter, Maureen Johnson describing the human body: "It has a really old instruction manual and is slow to adopt updates and just follows the program."

Anathem is not for the unprepared: "What's a gigantic sci-fi novel without a glossary of terms?" (Or you could just offer your customers Unshelved's take.)

Geography 101: "That's why it's important that you know that we invented Velcro. And basketball."

Young Jamie Ford bought the propaganda early: "It was run by Lanny something, a man we presumed to have an IQ of 389, because of his sheer proximity to that many cool and noteworthy books."

Get 'em while they're young, Part II: "Once she smuggled me into the stacks. Glorious. All those books."

When it's your store, you can say what you want to the customers: "But hey, no one's stopping you from shopping there. In fact, from this day forth, we're encouraging you to."

One of Short Stack's best lists: "It's sad to think that a whole generation judged an extraordinary book by this film."

How to combine shameless plugs and PSAs: "Why not head over to your local independent bookstore instead, and pick up The Greatest Novel Ever Written (By Me), Forever Changes by Brendan Halpin? "

Another advantage of urban living: "Since I started riding the subway to work, I would estimate that I've read three times the number of books I read in a similar time span while commuting by car."

It's not enough that they have a great blogger on staff: "Plus you’ve got to admire a place that nabbed the website www.harvard.com. They HAD to have figured out the ‘net was going to be a bit deal before anyone else, don’t you think?"

What can happen when you write: "Always annoying to be reviewed by people who haven't read the book."

How to win a book: "Here's what you need to do: take a picture of your nightstand and the pile of books that are on (under, next to, or toppling off of) it."

No post from me next week, because I'll be hanging out with New England booksellers at NEIBA's trade show. Stop by ABA's booth to say hi!

Posted at 03:59PM Sep 12, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  | 

The no-politics edition (I'm trying, at least)

In a two-part post, author Shannon Hale delves into the relationship between writers and readers.

Sarah Weinman has begun analyzing the state of imprints at the six major publishers. So far she's covered Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan.

Even if you're underwhelmed <raises hand> by Chrome (Google's new browser), take a look at the user manual/behind-the-scenes look at browsers/excellent marketing device created by Scott McCloud, who sat on ABA's graphic novels panel in Los Angeles.

This was the first week of classes for (many) college students around the country, which meant it was once again time for my Google Alerts to turn up all kinds of complaints about textbook pricing and availability. The strangest story, by far, comes from Amherst, where an employee of the official campus bookstore called a professor and pretended to be the parent of one of the professor's students in order to find out what books the professor would be using.

Back-to-school time is apparently also the time to reminisce about most-hated reading assignments. Read Street asks if there are "any books out there you're still bitter about."

GalleyCat links to a geek test based on the pop culture references in The Brief Wonderous Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. (I got 56; let me know if you beat me.)

Just in case anyone still thought pre-publication embargoes were working, Fox News got its hands on a copy of Bob Woodward's new book, due out Tuesday. The Washington Post, Woodward's sort-of-former-employer, was supposed to have first dibs, so they had to push an article of their own -- but the four-part series will start Sunday as planned.

A post by Jessica Faust at BookEnds Literary Agency sparked a discussion of big-city bias in fiction.

One of my favorite books of this season, Graceling, has started appearing in stores ahead of its official pub date, but author Kristin Cashore reminds readers that they can get signed copies by contacting her local indie.

Okay, I've been good so far. I haven't said anything about the conventions or the rumors or the Daily Show. Will you indulge me for one politics-related item? There's a prize in it for you, courtesy of author Joshua Henkin.

Henkin has realized that he doesn't know any John McCain supporters except his in-laws. But he'd like to. In a guest post at The Elegant Variation, Henkin offers a signed copy of his new-to-paperback Matrimony to the person who e-mails him with the best explanation for why he or she will vote for McCain. Anyone care to try their luck?

Posted at 01:09PM Sep 05, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  |  Comments[2]

They just don't get it

Posts like this one, from novelist Tayari Jones, pretty much make our day around here:

More mood-boosting posts came from places like Small Beer Press, Reading is Sexy, In Hovering Flight (which shares its title - and author - with the #1 Next List Pick for September), Neighborhood Notes, Fuse #8, The Accidental Marketer, and Bookavore's great insights, which I liked so much I printed them out and covered my walls with them.

We especially appreciate the positive posts when they come on the heels of pieces like this one or this one or this one. (Many thanks to Joe and Drea for jumping into the discussion on the last post. If you need more information before posting your own comments, you can find statistics, citations, and resources on our Shop Local page.)

But not all is seriousness this week. In honor of all those school buses that have started rolling through the streets, the Poetry Foundation has published an appropriate list: 10 Poems to Read When You Get Stuffed in Your Locker. (via Jacket Copy)

And courtesy of Bookninja and our Australian colleagues, some booksellers share their favorite customer stories. Like this one:

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

Posted at 03:57PM Aug 29, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  |  Comments[6]

Cultural Learnings

PSA: Read ABA President Gayle Shanks' open letter on the recent controversy over publisher Chelsea Green's upcoming release. But that's not this week's topic.

Instead, it's time to take a look at the worldview of kids today. The occasion? Beloit College has released its latest mindset list, a document it puts out each year to help professors understand how the typical eighteen-year-old sees the world. Aside from the obvious (computer-literate, not used to sharing a bedroom), the list points out that for the class of 2012:

Aside from a passing reference to Harry Potter (he could have been a classmate), the list doesn't take note of the book-related culture that's been part of their lives.  So let's take a look:

There's a lot they've missed out on, or taken for granted. (My suggestion, if they're looking to fill in the gaps, is Doonesbury. Seriously. The archives are a pop culture gold mine.) So have pity on them when they pick up Dark Dude this fall and think that Oscar Hijuelos is a newcomer - and tell them he won the Pulitzer the year they were born.

Posted at 12:47PM Aug 22, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  | 

Anyone for a low-impact woodland bookstore?

Thanks to Jessica for taking me up on last week's comment challenge! As long as Dan continues to supply the candy, I'll keep asking for your help when I run into future headdesk moments.

Bookstores getting some electron-love this week: Constellation Books, BookHampton, Northshire Bookstore, Innisfree Bookshop, Fountain Bookstore, Burke's Bookstore and Talking Leaves, Harvard Bookstore, and others.

Of interest to those on the business side of bookselling: Inkwell finds a resource for health insurance (I'm linking, but not endorsing in any way), PW reports on free freight, nonprofit status as a bookstore business model, why your store isn't the only one where political books aren't selling (via Gawker), the indie bookstore as a "incredible client experience" (see #18), and why customers think you should have an e-newsletter.

If your customers are looking to emulate their favorite foreign service officers, you can point them to the State Department's reading recommendations. No traditional beach reads on this list, but lots of geopolitics.

Instead of another complaint about the many terrible book-to-film adaptations, The Morning News highlights some of the best.

Even a non-Tolkien fan like me (don't throw things, please) has to love these hobbit holes - or more precisely, "low-impact woodland homes." Talk about living in a place with character!

Have you checked out the new Banned Books Week site?

Play-on-words points to Macmillan, which has released some new audiobooks under the banner of "Girls Gone Audio." Points also go to Chronicle, which promoted its line of postcards based on spam subject lines.

I wouldn't have expected a debate over whether or not Edgar Allan Poe was a Southern writer would attract much attention, but the Baltimore Sun knows better. (Yes, that's the third time I've linked to Read Street in this post. It's a great resource for news, analysis, and bookstore profiles, so you'll be seeing a lot of them.)

Posted at 11:50AM Aug 15, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  | 

I'm giving away...

... candy. Read to the end to find out how you can get some.

I like this idea, courtesy of Read Street: "If I were King of Books I would recommend an index for any novel of more than 300 pages, and make it mandatory for family sagas that span generations and countries." Besides more charts like the ones in Madeleine L'Engle's books, which show not only how the characters fit together, but also which books they're in, I'd love to see an online version, with links to buy each book. Drupal's going to be up on our e-commerce sites in a few months - anyone want to tackle the project?

What's the best sport not in the Olympics - or anywhere on Earth? Not surprisingly, most of the answers come from books. (via educating alice)

Nielsen BookScan released its "evergreen" list of titles that have consistently been among the top 5,000 sellers over the past ten years. They claim these are the titles that bookstores *must* keep in stock, but that's definitely not the case at my store, where Birdsong moves only when a book club picks it out, and Pratchett gets even less traffic. That's the beauty of indies, though - anyone want to comment on how the "evergreen" titles are doing at your stores?

From Sherman Alexie, the latest on the Seattle-Oklahoma City basketball saga. (via Bookslut)

Books and politics are never very far apart. At Shelftalker, Alison asks readers what characters they'd like to nominate for president, with links to plenty of fictional campaign gear available online. Gerry at Partners West has had enough of political drop-in titles, especially of the comic book variety.

Need a guide to book parts? Now you can rely on a visual dictionary.

As the Olympics open, PEN continues its readings and translations of Chinese writers.

Everyone knows about fanfiction for TV shows, and major series like Twilight and Harry Potter. But Tuck Everlasting? Goodnight Mr. Tom? I had no idea.

At least one bookseller has good things to say about the discussions of returning Breaking Dawn - Jay's a big fan of Clay Shirky, apparently.

The "what embargo?" review of Ron Suskind's new book prompted a return to the conversation about laydowns and on-sale dates and why the (now book review-less) LA Times won't sign any affidavits.

Non-sequitur of the week: "If Linen ‘n Things can afford glossy ads, why can’t bookstores?" I'm tempted to respond, but still can't get my mind around the logic. If anyone can, send me a link to your response and I'll put some candy in the mail.

Posted at 10:06AM Aug 09, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  |  Comments[3]

Pre-Breaking Dawn edition

I don't have to tell anyone what the big book-related event is this weekend. To give you a break from the hordes of Breaking Dawn fans waiting for the clock to change to 12:01 AM, here's what else is going on in the book world.

In bookstore news:

Elsewhere:

Posted at 04:14PM Aug 01, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  | 

Indies, paperbacks, and young adults

The role and importance of independent bookstores has gotten more attention than usual this week. At Ravenswool, Corbie contrasts the buying experiences at her favorite indie store and the-site-that-shall-not-be-named (Indie 1, TSTSNBN 0). Sondra at Kane/Miller shares some of her favorite indies in honor of National Independent Retailers Week. At KERA's blog, Jerome Weeks reminds readers that it's the big independents that bring big-name authors into communities. Peter Osnos writes about Martha's Vineyard residents' desire to see Bunch of Grapes recover.

Three Percent interviews master bookseller Karl Pohrt, who has this to say, among other insights:

As one who wasn't willing to make that commitment - but hasn't yet figured out the solution - I'm glad Karl's bringing it up.

The Abbeville Manual of Style declares Boy Chasing Dog With Pants to be "the greatest title of any work that can legitimately be called art."

Have you had customers asking for the non-existent book featured in Sex and the City? Well, you knew it had to happen. Gawker reports that Love Letters of Great Men will be published (in the UK).

Poets.org explains how the publication of Howl fits into the mainstream acceptance of (or prejudice toward) paperback books.

Finally, this was Soapbox Week for those of us who write about YA books. Colleen Mondor, who initiated the effort, has a frequently-updated roundup of posts on the theme.

Posted at 11:52AM Jul 26, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  | 

This week the title isn't going to start with "what"

Upcoming fun:

And a few good quotes:
Really, how many of them are hard to spell?: "A Madison bookstore is planning an adult spelling bee for the city's gay pride weekend that will feature at least some R-rated words."

Print and share with every customer who complains that books are too expensive: "A book costs between 8 and 30 dollars, and generally will keep me entertained for 5 to 15 hours, depending on the length. By contrast, a movie is $12 and only keeps me entertained for two and a half hours (rentals are a little cheaper, but still not as cost-effective as a book)." (Bonus quote from farther down: "Books are like baking soda in my house - we always keep a supply on hand.")

What's wrong with so many biographies for children: "You know what the problems with these books are? They're all about the GOOD girls."

It's always nice to have visual aids: "If you could see me in person, my position on book-related tattoos would be clear." (Bonus: Stephanie's IndieBound tips)

QANTAS can thank Kelly if they find their page counts going up: "Will Melbourne follow Edinburgh as the next UNESCO International Center of Literature?"

The hazards of telecommuting: "In total, I received 1,432 e-mails from Rob; he must have received almost twice as many from me." (Why wasn't he this much fun when I read him in college?)

Because sometimes subtlety isn't enough: "Your support keeps 1) us employed and 2) a great bookseller open for the community's benefit."

Posted at 01:03PM Jul 18, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  | 

What we're talking about

Thanks to everyone who sent me their blog links at Dan's request! You may note that the blogroll continues to grow.

A few of the topics generating a lot of ink pixels this week:

Topic #1: Summer reading lists
Two (related) complaints come up in the discussion of school-assigned summer reading.

A) The lists are full of books written decades ago, and completely overlook the wonderful additions to the middle reader/YA field from recent years.
B) There isn't enough communication between the people who develop the lists and the people who provide the books, which makes it difficult for the ten kids who all need their copies of In Our Defense today.

(Bonus points go to those who combine A and B by making out-of-print books required!)

Summer reading has come up on lots of blogs lately, including Confessions of a Bibliovore, ShelfTalker, The Reading Zone, Jen Robinson's Book Page, The Book Whisperer, Original Content, and thereadingtub. (When I said "lots," I meant it.)

Topic #2: New models for bookselling (and publishing)
Brian at Survival of the Book thinks we can learn something from the popularity of CSAs (community-supported agriculture). I know some stores have similar programs, where customers pay in advance for regular book shipments. Any thoughts on whether this can be a significant part of a viable business model?

Max Ross, writing for The Rake, thinks publishers and indie booksellers can work together to get the most out of community involvement:

Topic #3: Links
I'm kind of cheating with this one, because it hasn't attracted a lot of attention yet. I'm hoping y'all can do something about that.

Joe Wikert is a Wiley executive and a blogger, and he has a lot of thought-provoking things to say about the publishing industry. On one of his recent posts, a commenter asked why he always links to the-site-that-shall-not-be-named*.

Wikert said [condensed; read the full comment on his site]:

I'm not about to defend publisher websites - I use them only when necessary, and my inner usability guru cringes each time - but there are other ways to do this. Some bloggers link to Powell's, and some link to their local stores. Others take advantage of the affiliate opportunities we offer on IndieBound.org. I love the take on this at Books on the Nightstand, where every post ends with this message:

I don't really expect to sway Wikert, who's a big fan of the Kindle and shopping online. But I do want to encourage book bloggers to think about where they link to, and whether it might be worth a change.

Here's my question for all of you: Do you encourage bloggers (local ones, for instance) to link to your store's site, or to a non-affiliated site like LibraryThing? Do you invite them to become IndieBound affiliates? Has the topic come up at all? Any suggestions?

*Since I'm quoting here, the real name makes an appearance. Don't worry; after this we're back to calling it TSTSNBN.

Posted at 02:23PM Jul 14, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  |