We all realize the straits independent bookshops are in. Print books can only finance the store so far. Many stores have opted to offer toys, gift items, some have opened a coffee shop within. So, with this in mind, why not utilize some of the pieces books and other items sit upon. If the piece … Read more
“Book stores employ a very special class of condescending nerd… “If bookstores fall, America will be inundated with a wandering snarky underclass of unemployable mock purveyors of useless and arcane esoterica.” The Daily Show on Comedy Central usually targets politicians, pop culture, movie stars, and finds hilarious behaviors to out and bring to the forefront. Either by Jon Stewart, or by one of his many ‘correspondents’, a point will be made about something highly ridiculous and whatever the subject be, it gets … Read more
The very first mystery bookstore I entered was Whodunit? in Philadelphia PA. I was a teen with my mom, and deliberately looked up and found this particular store because I had a couple of books I wanted to sell and they said they bought books in exchange for credit. I was enthralled upon entering. I … Read more
Coming from a smaller venue where the books were mostly paperbacks and the space limited, to being seated behind a huge desk in a beautifully appointed room was a little bit of a jolt. The amount of employees was tripled, with two floors of stock, a shipping department, and rare expensive titles in an unlocked … Read more
I’ve been pondering and concentrating upon what I used to do all day as a bookseller. That aside, there was the slight difficulty of deciding which place of employment to remember–there were a few over the years, and each individual shop had its quirks and perks. Foul Play, a small well established mystery bookstore in … Read more
I’ve always been fascinated by magicians and how they do their tricks. I honestly, don’t want to know the mechanics, the fun is wondering how that rabbit appears instantly from a top hat, or how a woman could possibly float in mid air apparently with no strings attached, or how a an assistant can be … Read more
Murder by the Book BREAKING NEWS! It’s official: Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark will be doing an evening event at MBTB on Monday, May 2, at 6:30 pm, and a luncheon event at The Briar Club on Tuesday, May 3, at 11:30 am!!! If you’re not familiar with Murder By The Book, it’s … Read more
One of the gravy parts of my tenure managing mystery bookshops, was meeting and greeting authors. Established, brand new, legends, ego maniacs, and future friends. Granted, I worked in arguably the greatest city in the world (I take that line from the David Letterman show) and therefore had more opportunity to meet authors. In a … Read more
