Alabama Booksmith's Bacardi Book Club Party a Hot Hit

Registration for BACARDI Mixers & Book Sense Book Club Sweepstakes at the Alabama Booksmith.

On August 24, The Alabama Booksmith in Homewood, Alabama, served free frozen margaritas to a crowd of 225 during a day of book club promotions that it dubbed "the most fun literary event ever." The day's events were part of the BACARDI Mixers & Book Sense Book Club Sweepstakes promotion, which runs from July 14 - September 30. In addition to the refillable margaritas, free margarita glasses and books, the event provided Alabama Booksmith's customers with in-depth information on how to create, join, or improve a book club.

Jake Reiss, owner of the Alabama Booksmith, said the event was "incredible," but that he is "still trying to get the store back into shape." On a sweltering Alabama day with a heat index of 115 degrees, Reiss said he wouldn't have been surprised if just a couple dozen people showed up. But instead he had a crowd that packed the 3,600-square-foot store. "I was amazed so many people showed up," said Reiss. "And I was floored that they sat and sweated through the horrible heat."

Author Mark Lee talking to a customer about his book, The Canal House.

Customers listened to talks given by representatives from Penguin Putnam and Hesperus (a small independent press), who suggested titles for book clubs and gave away free books. Also, Mark Lee talked about his novel Canal House (Algonquin) and his experiences as an author who makes himself available for discussions with book clubs via telephone or, sometimes, in person.

Overall Reiss said he was thrilled with the turnout and that he received many thanks from grateful customers.

Susan Swagler, book columnist for The Birmingham News (left), speaking with Penguin Putnam's Betty Lawson.

According to Minute Maid consumer research, the predominant demographic for reading group participants is females between the ages of 25 - 49, the same consumer segment targeted by BACARDI Mixers, which can be used with or without alcohol.

The BACARDI Mixers & Book Sense Book Club Sweepstakes offers customers the chance to win a year's supply of Book Sense books for the winning club (10 copies of 12 Book Sense 76 selections) and BACARDI Mixers. For second prize, 10 customers will win a $25 Book Sense gift certificate, and, for third prize, 10 customers will win a $10 Book Sense gift certificate.

Part of the crowd gathered for the Book Group presentation.

Margarita Time.

The bookstore where the winner entered the sweepstakes will receive two airline tickets to anywhere in the U.S. from Delta Airlines.

BACARDI Mixers Book Club kits are still available; requests should be sent to ABA's marketing director, Jill Perlstein, at [email protected].

Children's and college bookstores should not participate in this promotion.