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Dearest Reader,
I LOVE winter. I love it. But with March comes a burst of energy. Exciting times approacheth!
The third Nantucket Book Festival is in high gear, and we're proud once again that the bookstores are key partners.
The PEN/Faulkner Writers in Schools Program is underway with author Julie Berry visiting in April, and there's a great line-up of authors developing. Check the website often for additions and details of how to support the Festival.
Highlights so far include Jodi Picoult, Ben Fountain, George Pelecanos, Kevin Powers, Ben Mezrich, Dani Shapiro, Judy Schachner, Chip Kidd, Ben Bradlee, Jr., and many many more. It's especially exciting that Alice Hoffman is returning this year - with two new books no less!
Now, one author who will be attending and whom I'm particularly excited to feature is a young woman named Gabrielle Zevin. She has written extensively for a young adult audience, but this year she has a new work of literary fiction that is certain to be one of our bestsellers this summer: THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY. (It's published by the wonderful people at Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, and they're as excited about this novel as they were about their hit WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, if not more.) The novel takes place on an island off the coast of Cape Cod, accessible by ferry from Hyannis, which is one reason everyone getting this newsletter will love it. Another is that it's a quirky, charming, and ultimately extremely touching read. The hero is a curmudgeonly independent bookstore owner (not based on me, despite my mood swings... he's a gentleman of Indian descent).
Every one of my booksellers and friends & family member who has read the advance copy has fallen in love with it, and I'm so hopeful that you will too that I want to extend a special offer on pre-sales. (If Jeff Bezos writes to you about it then he deserves the sale, otherwise let's go with the indies here.) Remember: "No Man is an Island, Every Book is a World."
Order online now before the pub date of April 1st and you'll get 20% off (plus $.99 media mail shipping on any copies you'd like shipped). Also, as with any books we handsell, it comes with a money-back guarantee if you don't like it.
And, in a natural seque from books about bookstore employees, I would like to put out a call to action:
Friendly, Smart Book People Wanted!
Do you or someone you know love people and books? Can you handle a hectic retail environment? Do you believe bookstores can be a vibrant source of life & enlightenment for a community in the 21st Century and want to help make the magic happen?
We are trying something new this year, with an increase in specialization. We're seeking organized, energetic book lovers with special skills. (Great perks in great places with great people, but no, you don't get to read on the job. ;-)
- Manager: Mitchell's Book Corner (Full Time)
- Events & Off-site Sales Coordinator (Flexible tbd)
- Marketing & Website Coordinator (Flexible tbd)
- Office & Bookkeeping Support (~6 hours/week)
- Children's Specialty Bookseller (Flexible tbd)
- Special Order & Online Marketplace Specialist (Flexible tbd)
- Seasonal student intern positions also available.
- Volunteer Book Corps - Come help talk books & do light tasks and get paid in books. How fun is that?
Follow this link to our help wanted page for more information and for details on how to apply. (Please spread the word to any charismatic, tech-savvy, well-read individuals you might know.)
Cheers and Happy Reading,
Wendy H.
P.S. I'm on a roll with great book festival author books. If you haven't yet, you simply have to read BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALF-TIME WALK. Took me about 50 pages to really get into it but it's simply superb, timely, and important. Can't wait to hear Ben Fountain discuss it in person. If you have read it, I'd love to know what you think... stop in a store or comment on our Mitchell's Facebook page.
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