Around Indies

Let’s Play Books! Marks First Year

Emmaus, Pennsylvania’s Let’s Play Books! celebrated its first anniversary on January 31 with discounts, refreshments, giveaways, and special guests.

Cedar Crest College’s performing arts program brought four characters from its upcoming performance of Peter Pan to the store. The actors sang songs and invited readers to enjoy discounted, Peter Pan-themed drinks at neighboring South Mountain Cycle & Café.

Author Julie Saba and illustrator Carla Rodrigues showcased their new book, Bernie and the Smelly Cheese Balls — complete with a real-life jar of smelly cheese balls — and customers were treated to new and renewed membership deals, raffles, and book and gift specials.

The first 50 families visiting the store also received a gift bag full of local treats, and the first 10 purchases earned a gift bag from Penguin Random House.

King’s English’s Holman Becomes Partner

Anne Holman is now a full partner in The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, Utah. Holman has been with the store for 15 years, serving in roles including bookseller, events coordinator, and store manager. She also was recently elected president of the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association. “Her investment in TKE and in the business of books is extraordinary,” the bookstore said in a statement.

Over the years, Holman has “demonstrated her competence in all aspects of this crazy, complex business of bookselling and has been Betsy Burton’s de facto partner in decision-making, both the tough and the creative ones, bringing her vast knowledge of bookselling and publishing (not to mention her outsized sense of humor) to bear on not only our store but our regional booksellers association.”

Holman takes over stock in the bookstore from ex-partner Barbara Hoagland.

Denver’s BookBar Named a “Swoon-Worthy Sipping Spot”

Taking a top spot in the “Bars where good drinks aren’t the only draw” category, Denver’s BookBar was highlighted in 5280 Magazine’s list of best bars for its hefty inventory, stellar wine selection, fresh menu items, and soft musical selections. Calling the bookstore “a swoon-worthy 21st-century sipping spot,” the magazine said, “Nineteenth century Romantic poet John Keats gave us more than just a few sexed-up odes; he also provided the blueprint for the perfect modern bar. ‘Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather, and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know,’ he wrote in 1819. Two hundred years later, we found Keats’ nirvana: BookBar on Berkeley’s Tennyson Street.”

Lucy’s Books Named Best Bookstore

Lucy’s Books in Astoria, Oregon, was selected as the 2014 Readers’ Choice for Best Bookstore by Coast Weekend newspaper, the Daily Astorian’s and Chinook Observer’s guide to arts and entertainment for the north coast of Oregon and southwest Washington.

Owner Lisa Reid purchased Lucy’s in the summer of 2013 and told the paper she’s seen immense support from the community. Reid’s work with customers has been a highlight for many, as shown with the store’s win for Readers’ Choice.

“I’m happy to help,” Reid told Coast Weekend. “Whether people are looking for a book recommendation, dining suggestions, community events information, directions to local attractions, or 10 reasons why Astoria is a great place to live.”

Bethany Beach Books Launches Book Subscription Service

Bethany Beach Books in Bethany Beach, Delaware, has launched a monthly subscription box service called The Book Drop, which offers hardcover and paperback book subscriptions for men and women, children and young adults. Once a month, for a fee ranging from $11 to $30, Bethany Beach packs up and mails each subscriber a hand-picked title published within the past six months.

“Yes, you can download a new book on your tablet within seconds but you can’t have an independent bookstore handpick a book and personally download it to your tablet, which is why The Book Drop is extra special,” the store noted.

Bethany Beach was inspired to develop this service after recognizing the popularity of subscription box services, as well as how some customers wished to follow along with what the store’s book clubs were reading — without having to attend the clubs themselves.

Merritt Bookstore’s Scott Meyer Retiring

In Millbrook, New York, Scott Meyer and his wife, Alison, are putting Merritt Bookstore up for sale after more than 30 years in business. Scott Meyer is retiring due to health reasons.

Over the years, the bookstore has come to be known as a place for discovering hand-picked books, enjoying author lectures, and attending workshops on writing and illustration, as well as for its partnerships in offsite events, including festivals, conferences, and book fairs.

Merritt Bookstore is noted as an “author’s bookstore” and has been nominated three times for Publishers Weekly’s Bookseller of the Year award.

Women & Children First to Celebrate Grand Reopening

Following an extensive renovation, Chicago, Illinois’ Women & Children First will celebrate its grand reopening on Saturday, February 21, with an open house showcasing its transformed space, including a new community and events room. Customers attending the open house will enjoy refreshments and music by local performers.

The bookstore is also making plans to use its new space on March 21 with a celebration of Women’s History Month and the history of Women & Children First. New owners Lynn Mooney and Sarah Hollenbeck will join co-founders Ann Christophersen and Linda Bubon to reveal a series featuring original artwork that recognizes the many feminist authors the store has hosted over the years, as well as the store’s history. Bookseller and artist-in-residence Jill Kuanfung is creating the artwork for the event.

Harvard Book Store Accepting Submissions for Microchondria II

Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has issued a call for entries for short short fiction and cover art for a collection to be published using its revamped and updated Espresso Book Machine, which is named Paige. Five years ago, Harvard took on a similar literary project that resulted in the publication of Microchondria: 42 Short Short Stories Collected by Harvard Book Store.

Through February 13, Harvard Book Store is collecting submissions to create Microchondria II: 42 More Short Short Stories Collected by Harvard Book Store. Stories are limited to 500 words, and designers are invited to submit cover artwork featuring the title. The creators of winning pieces will each receive a contributor copy of the book and a waived “Advanced Set-Up Fee” (a $50 value) on a future Paige publishing project. Stories and cover designs can be submitted to microchondria.submittable.com.

The first copy of Microchondria II will be printed by March 1. An in-store launch party on March 7 will feature readings by some of the contributing writers. Additional copies will be printed during the event, giving customers an opportunity to learn more about custom book printing.