Short Takes 4/2/2018

Mystery writer Louise Penny has been publishing a new title in her Inspector Gamache series every August. This year will be a little different. With the death of her husband, she initially decided to take a break, but she quietly began writing again with the result that KINGDOM OF THE BLIND will lay down November 27, 2018. Her many fans are relieved!

I just beginning to explore the idea of bullet journaling when I found this information at Beth Fish Reads blog. There's an introductory video by Ryder Carroll, the brains behind the system and owner of Bullet Journal and BuJo trademarks. Check it out if you are curious.

Aunt Agatha's Mystery Bookstore in Ann Arbor is closing after 26 years.

April 2, 2018
Dear Beloved Customers and Readers,

We are regretful but ready to announce that we will be closing Aunt Agatha’s in August of this year. We have enjoyed getting to know many of you, discussing books with you, sharing author events with you and sharing the love of mysteries with you for 26 years. Many of you we are happy to think of as friends. It’s been a wonderful journey.
As in the great Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express there are many culprits for our demise – we are getting older; constant street construction; Amazon; and fierce local competition. We hope you will keep local bookstores vital and alive by patronizing the many exciting stores that remain open.

And please come by to say hello, fill out your collection, or plan to attend one of the wonderful events we have remaining on our schedule this spring and summer. However, we can no longer take your books for store credit. We suggest the library, the PTO thrift store, and the recycle center.
After we close we plan to continue selling our remaining inventory on ABE books online, and under construction is a review blog focusing on first mystery novels by women. We also have some future events planned at the library. But for now, everything is for sale!
April - 15%
May – 20%
June – 30%
July – 40%
August – 50%

We will also be selling shelving, tables, our front counter, and posters. If there’s something you are interested in please make us an offer. We also have quite a few 6’ banquet tables & folding chairs.
We have a closing event scheduled on August 26 with William Kent Krueger, and we hope you’ll join us for a final gather round the communal mysterious hearth.

With much gratitude for your patronage,

Robin & Jamie

Short Takes 10/4/2016

Guaranteed to be a popular gift for this holiday season! I've already purchased a copy and cannot wait to sit down and wander through the "over 600 of the most curious and unusual destinations around the globe." Read more about this fascinating book HERE.

This past weekend was the first Harbor Springs Festival of the Book and my friend Joy and I drove to Northern Michigan on Friday to explore. There was so much going on that it was impossible to attend everything we thought looked interesting (and everything looked interesting). The town itself was worth the trip. Check out the Harbor Springs Visitors Guide. Located on Little Traverse Bay, the area has been a resort since the late 1800s. Unique shops, restaurants, and a great little bookstore welcome visitors.

Highlights were an interview with author Elizabeth Letts about her new book The Perfect Horse, which tells the story of a little know struggle to save horses during World War II, and a lecture by Craig Johnson, creator of the Longmire mystery series and television show that caused much laughter.

A classy event, that was free (donations accepted) except for the special speakers paired with meals, talk is that there will be another Festival next year. I recommend you subscribe to their newsletter if you think you might attend! Harbor Springs Festival of the Book.

Greg Iles at Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor

Monday, May 19th at 7:00 pm Meet New York Times Bestselling Author Greg Iles for a Discussion and Signing of His New Novel, Natchez Burning 

NYT bestselling author, Greg Iles will be at Nicola's Books for a signing and discussion of his novel, "Natchez Burning", the first installment in an epic trilogy that weaves crimes, lies, and secrets past and present into a mesmerizing thriller featuring southern mayor and former prosecutor Penn Cage.  Greg Iles was born in Germany in 1960, where his father ran the US Embassy Medical Clinic during the height of the Cold War.  Iles spent his youth in Natchez.  While attending Ole Miss, Greg lived in the cabin where William Faulkner and his brothers listened to countless stories told by "Mammy Callie," their beloved nanny, who had been born a slave. Iles wrote his first novel in 1993, a thriller about Nazi war criminal Rudolf Hess, which became the first of twelve New York Times bestsellers.  More information

                       

Want to Buy a Bookstore?

Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor, MI

Here's an article from Publisher's Weekly that explains why Nicola's Bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan is for sale. This is a well-established and well-located business. The owner is not in a hurry but wants to allow a smooth transition.

Bookstore Windows

Not on the list but here in Jackon, MI

Do you find bookstore windows enticing? Flavorwire has posted a collection of 30 Excellent Bookstore Windows From Around the World. The newly opened Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan is included.

Have you been to any of these bookstores? Do you have a favorite to share?

A Charming Interview with a Bookstore Owner

Even though this will be the year her bookstore closes forever, read this interview that was in the Detroit Free Press. Click HERE to go to the article published on May 5, 2013.

Jackson, Michigan Gets a New Bookstore

The local newspaper has confirmed the rumors circulating about a new bookstore after folks driving in the Summit Oaks area reported having seen a sign for something called the Book Cottage! Owner Nancy Oakley will open her shop at 2108 Horton Road to the public tomorrow morning.

News of More Closings from Barnes & Noble

Basically Barnes & Noble is planning to shutter twenty stores a year for the next ten years. Read the Huffington Post article.

Another Bookstore Closing - Downtown Grand Rapids

". . .Grand Rapids now joins Lansing, Detroit, Saginaw, Bay City, Flint and Birmingham without a bookstore in the downtown while bookstores seem to thrive in Petoskey, Ann Arbor and Traverse City."

(editorial note: and Jackson, of course)

You can read the entire article at MittenLit.com, which is 'all about books and authors with ties to Michigan'.

Jungle Red Writers Celebrating Bookstores

Aunt Agatha's in Ann Arbor, MI

Do you recognize any of these mystery writers? Julia Spencer Fleming, Jan Brogan, Lucy Burdette, Hallie Ephron, Rhys Bowen, Deborah Crombie, Hank Phillippi Ryan, or Rosemary Harris?

The tagline on the Jungle Red Writers website clarifies its mission. "8 smart and sassy crime fiction writers dish on writing and life. It's The View. With bodies."

And for today, January 12, 2013, there is an interview with Jenny Milchman, who has a new mystery, Cover of Snow, celebrating the appreciation of bookstores. Jenny has actually done what I am talking about. She has visited an amazing number of bookstores all over the country.

The Top Ten Cities for Book Lovers

 
Liveability.com, a site which talks about "Amercia's Best Places to Live and Visit", has just put together a list of cities for book lovers. I share this link because Traverse City, Michigan made the list at # 6 with Horizon Books.

Now for the Good News!

Courtesy Photo:  Literati Bookstore Blog

A new bookstore is opening in Ann Arbor, Michigan just a mere 45 minutes down I-94. There had been speculation but now there is confirmation! Read about it HERE in the annarbor.com news.

If, like me, you plan to visit in 2013, here's the link to the Literati Bookstore Blog.

America's Best Bookstores!

Courtesy of Boulder Bookstore

Sarah L. Stewart just wrote a wonderful article for Travel & Leisure naming more than a dozen fantastic independent bookstores! You can read it HERE. She provides links to the individual bookstores websites too.

A Couple of Independent Bookstores Close

Archivia Bookstore in New York City

This isn't the best way to start off a New Year where I pledged to visit independent bookstores and see what I could discover.

Go check out the Shelf Awareness page and read about Archivia (NYC) and Pudd'nhead Books (Webster Groves, MO) closing.

Bookstores in Movies

Here's a fun article that lists ten bookstores from movies. My favorite is from Funny Face with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. What's yours?

A New Independent Bookstore for A2?

Several tweets today have alluded to the fact that there could soon be a new independent bookstore in downtown Ann Arbor.

You can read about the journey Hilary Lowe and Michael Gustafson are undertaking as they search for the perfect location by clicking on Literati Bookstore.

At this point there are several businesses vying for the same spot and the landlord hasn't signed a lease yet so we'll just have to wait and see what happens. Here's more information.

Take Your Child to A Bookstore Day is December 1st

Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day is set for this Saturday, December 1st!

I just saw this today but over 400 bookstores are participating. If you don't have a bookstore in your community, you could still take your child to a store that sells books to browse and purchase.
In Jackson, Michigan The Book Exchange would be a great choice. Located at 130 E. Washington, they have plenty of parking.

New Years Resolution #1 - 2013

I know it's a bit early, but I just inadvertently made my first resolution for 2013 and it's one that could be a lot of fun to keep!

I blurted out that I was going to visit as many Independent Bookstores as possible during the upcoming year.

For some reason, I have avoided bookstores on occasion because I already have 1) too many books waiting for me at home and on my Kindle and 2) I feel like I shouldn't go into a bookstore if I'm not going to buy something. Those two silly excuses, most likely,  have caused me to miss out on some extraordinary experiences.

Unfortunately there are no longer any NEW bookstores where I live in Jackson, Michigan. There is a fabulous USED bookstore, the Jackson Book Exchange, where I visit and make donations to from time to time. And, of course, there are places you can buy books like superstores Meijers and Target. What I want to explore is places like Aunt Agatha's in Ann Arbor and Page and Palette in Fairhope, Alabama.

Do you have a favorite bookstore?

The Drama Book Shop

Why I never made a visit to The Drama Book Shop on one of my infrequent trips to New York City, I can't say. This legendary location caters to actors and others in the theatrical profession. They have 8,000 plays in stock and a 50-seat theatre downstairs. They have even been awarded their very own Tony.

Read more about this fabulous Midtown Manhattan book store HERE.

Three Michigan Independent Bookstores

Before there are no bookstores left, you and I might want to check out these three independents that were written up briefly in the January/February 2012 AAA Magazine.

Ann Arbor - Aunt Agathas

I have heard of Aunt Agatha's in Ann Arbor for years but never visited. It's on my list of things to do this spring when I am ready to browse "used and new mystery, detective and true crime books".

St. Joseph - Forever Books

St. Joe's is a little more of a trip, but Forever Books' staff are "experts on Michigan authors and can recommend great reads for any local interest".

Grand Rapids - Literary Life Bookstore & More

How can you ignore a book store that has a "glowing fireplace"? Housed in a renovated bank building, Literary Life Bookstore & More "stocks a little bit of everything."

When shall we go? If you get there before me, let me know what you think. And if you know of other wonderful bookstores within a day's drive, tell me about them. I would love an excuse to visit!