The books I write about are stocked at virtually all general interest independent bookstores across the country. But titles do sell out on occasion, especially at this time of year. Fortunately, indie bookstores order from warehouses that deliver books daily, which means a store can replenish stock quickly, often within a day or two. So if you don't see a title you want on the shelf, make sure to ask at the counter if the book can be ordered or is already on the way.

HUMANS OF NEW YORK by Brandon Stanton. It's not hard to see why New York bookstores like Greenlight, WORD, and the Strand have this unique volume of photographs on their staff pick lists. It's a beautiful, heartfelt, funny, and inspiring collection of photographs capturing the spirit of a city - all paired with a comment from the author or from the subjects themselves. Stanton captures people from all walks of life and all parts of the city, creating  a really special portrait of New York.

The surprise about Humans of New York is the impression it has made on booksellers across the country. The book is recommended by bookstores as diverse as Third Place Books in Seattle, WA; Bookshop Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA; Changing Hands in Tempe, AZ; Gibson's Bookstore in Concord NH; Watchung Booksellers in Montclair, NJ; and river's end bookstore in Oswego, New York.

Want to see what all the fuss is about? This short video tells the story nicely.
http://vimeo.tumblr.com/post/28636351266/storyboard-capturing-the-humans-of-new-york-by


THIS IS THE STORY OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE by Ann Patchett. To be fair, this hugely satisfying essay collection is probably getting a bit of a boost from independents because they love the author so much. Patchett's fiction has long been a favorite of booksellers - Bel Canto and State of Wonder being two examples - but she has further endeared herself by becoming co-owner of Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN and a passionate spokesperson for independent bookstores. Oh, and she can write a lick as well. Here's what one bookseller had to say:
THE GOLDFINCH by Donna Tartt. I wrote about The Goldfinch several weeks ago (click here to read), and all it's done since its publication is sit atop the independent bestseller lists - six weeks and counting. It's a long book - just under 800 pages - but beautifully written and with a complex but engaging  plot that hinges on a young man's obsession with a small painting. And while independent bookstores pride themselves on selling a wide range of titles, I loved a line from Grant Hill, owner of That Bookstore in Blytheville, Arkansas, who said it was "pretty cool to see more literary stuff like The Goldfinch become a big deal; I feel better selling that to customers than 50 Shades of Grey."