With Holiday Books guides in stores for a couple of weeks now, booksellers have, no doubt, spotted a special section in the 2012 version. The Book Lovers feature (p.7), sponsored by our own NWBL, is a spotlight on books celebrating books, of which there were plenty in publisher lineups this fall. 

I realized the industry was providing me a theme before heading to BEA this spring, so I brought along my pitch. And those who got it, got it. The idea was met with enthusiasm at several stops. 

Black Dog & Leventhal got the momentum rolling with My Bookstore, one of my original inspirations for the feature. Paul Kozlowski, of Other Press, responded to the idea, writing in a follow-up email that they wanted to commit Monsieur Proust's Library: "I like your 'books about books' theme!" Simon & Schuster was hip, and ended up with one adult and one kids title, The Books They Gave Me and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Cider Mill Press, The Little Book of Books, and F, S & G, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, each received post-BEA email pitches and wanted on board immediately. 

Not everyone was inspired by my vision, so there are notable absentees. But these six books made for a solid one-page feature in the catalog that's easy to build into a display in your store--and it's easy to build around. So start pulling all of those book lovers books from your shelves, and spread the love.

Hurricane Sandy didn't make things any easier, but ABFFE's first ever

Holiday Children's Art Auction will convene, as planned, on Nov. 27. 

outside the ABFFE office

"Sandy was a setback, but we have a lot to be grateful for. Our office itself was not damaged, and the art that we had already collected is safe and sound," said ABFFE President Chris Finan. "We are confident that we will be able to launch on time."

More than four feet of water breeched the lower floor of the South Street Sea Port office building that houses ABFFE headquarters.

With the switch from Google eBooks to Kobo underway, it's time to ask your customers to join you on the learning curve. 

Eagle Harbor Book Co. is hosting a hands-on Kobo Q&A this weekend and their invitation ends with a very simple request: "If you are thinking of an eReader, please consider the one that will link automatically to your local bookseller!"

Have you told your customers about your switch to Kobo?

Dec. 1 is the deadline to sign up your store to be a distribution hub for your local book givers. The terms and application requirements are here. Email completed forms to Carl Lennertz.

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