a woman walked into the store.....

Dan Chaon’s, Await Your Reply, is all about identity theft. I’m glued to the pages, but it’s almost like being told a really long joke (although in this case, wonderfully written), and wondering if you are going to understand the punch line at the end. It’s refreshing to venture out beyond my “women” books. Always glad when I do. Oh, and wait until mid-January when the new Joshua Ferris, Unnamed, comes out. Loved it!

BTW -  apologies for imperfect grammar and such. These blogs are such fun to write, but not if I have to go crazy editing them forever. I was an art major, not an english scholar.

Happily, the fine people of Montclair still buy books - from us! Thank you to one and all for supporting watchung booksellers and all that we hold dear. I love helping people at the holidays because you hear the funniest stories. There’s the 85 year old grandmother who doesn’t want anything racy (and the one that does), the new brother-in-law that doesn’t read (said with great disgust), the first grader that reads on the college level (but doesn’t really understand anything) and of course the requests for Sarah Palin’s book (all bought as gag gifts). And may I say, that I didn’t see one impatient, annoyed, or grumpy customer - isn’t that impressive? 

And so now we all take a moment to breathe, re-group and look ahead to the new year. We’d love your input on how to make watchung booksellers YOUR community bookstore. E-mail or facebook us, or whatever the newest techy thing is to do. And, personally, I’m hoping for a more creative, brave, and yet simple new year. 

When will we put the Christmas books out? Yes, I know that CVS has been ready since Halloween, and even some of my favorite Monclair indies have already decorated. I have put out Christmas cards, advent calendars, and the Nutcracker Suite books. But, much to my surprise, Thanksgiving is actually this week, and so I must accept the inevitable. Once I get all of the boxes up the steps, even I (a non-Christmas celebrating Jew), can feel the excitement in the air as the staff starts to hum Jingle Bells.

It was my son’s 14th birthday this week. As he picked up the square flat gift, he smiled, and said, “of course, there is always a book”. This book for my non-reader son was all about his passion - skateboarding. It got the immediate “wow, cool”, and he actually sat down to look at it. Just got me thinking about the holiday season and all of our grumblings at the store about the PILES of new books (and where in the world we can display them - thought about hanging a few from the ceiling!). I’m sorry, but even in this day and age of modern this and that, there is NOTHING like receiving a book as a gift. I get a certain thrill helping customers pick out the perfect volume - from the very serious to the fantastically ridiculous, there’s always that moment when you’ve found the right one (or 5 - come on people, let’s keep this Indie thriving!). Oh, and while we’re on the subject - we have wish lists now available on the website and at the front desk. A book fairy will make all your literary dreams come true.

Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary Gary 

So curious about this book by Laini Taylor. Just nominated for the National Book Award, Arthur Levine sang it’s praises at BEA, and well, honestly, she does those women/angel 3/D cards. (such a cute website with pics of her new baby). So, yeah, wow, major fantasy book! Demons, goblins, curses and creatures - and all terribly romantic. I never read these kind of books when I was a YA. When I was in 6th grade the librarian actually called my mom to let her know what kind of “advanced” books I was reading - very contemporary and rooted in real life. There wasn’t a goblin in sight. Crazy to think that this is what the girls like these days. Absolute escape.

and then I don’t fall asleep. I just finished “New World Monkeys”. What a great book - had me from the beginning. It’s ridiculously honest. It’s a mystery. It’s got a town pervert. It’s got a crazy group of townspeople out for revenge. It’s even a love story. First novel for Nancy Mauro - I’ll be looking for the next. 

I saw that Let The Great World Spin was nominated for the National Book Award. It’s been on my staff pick for a while - really quite a compelling book, loved it. I’m struggling right now with what to read. Tried a couple of paperbacks and fell asleep quickly. Now just starting New World Monkeys by Nancy Mauro - seems promising despite the fact that the first scene involves a wild boar. Felt bad the other day as a customer was buying an obscure “classic”, and asked what I was reading. I’m afraid that the classics will have to wait until I am with less to do and think about in a day (in other words, when I don’t have 2 teenagers to parent). And personally, I’m not rushing things. 

Yes, I’m the one who moves everything around in the store. Supposedly and apparently, it helps sales, highlights the new and fun and fab. But, of course, the downside is that no one can find anything and all blame points to moi! I recently moved sections in the children’s room, and this is how it goes. 

activity books>gift shelf   poetry>activity books  concept books>poetry       religion, philosophy, folk tales>bottom, middle nf shelf    tying shoes/telling time>next to Seuss

Crazy right? And way too much information. Just ask us - we love to talk books.

We’re getting reading for the big Zine event Friday night. Ana’s making the coolest buttons for the authors. I’m debating the perfect refreshments, and of course, wondering where we’ll put everyone. All the shelves should be on wheels, so we can roll things around and have more space. Or, what about those disappearing walls that spin around? Now THAT would be cool! In all of our bookstore dreams we have oodles of space, big sofa’s and coffee. Always coffee.