Around Indies

Ticketed Event a Success in Hockessin

The Hockessin Book Shelf staff with author Lisa Unger (Rebecca, Linda, Lisa Unger, Kelly, and Biddy)

Last Saturday, The Hockessin Book Shelf in Hockessin, Delaware, hosted an event featuring bestselling author Lisa Unger, who read from and discussed her latest book, Darkness, My Old Friend. “An Evening With the Author” was an off-site ticketed event for which the store charged attendees $10 plus the purchase of one of Unger’s books. In the month leading up to the event, Hockessin sold more than 100 Lisa Unger books.

The more than 40 people in attendance were able chat with the author one-on-one. Rebecca Dowling, manager of the Hockessin Bookshelf, said the event was “an overwhelming success.”

Watch for more on bookstores charging for events in next week’s Bookselling This Week.

Northshire Booksellers Present Their Summer Picks

A presentation of summer reading picks by booksellers at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont, can be seen in a new YouTube video.

Floor manager Erik Barnum began the presentation by quoting writer Christopher Morley: “When you sell a man a book, you don’t just sell him 12 ounces of paper and ink and glue – you sell him a whole new life.

Beagle Books and Bindery Gears Up for Indie Bound ’Round

Beagle Books and Bindery is spearheading Indie Bound ’Round, a bookstore shop hop featuring four nearby bookstores that will take place from August 18 - 21.

“Our hope is really to make people more aware of indie bookstores and their importance,” Jennifer Wills Geraedts told BTW in June. Participants will receive a passport at the first store they visit, and stamps in each subsequent store. Completed passports will be entered in a drawing for one of eight prizes that Beagle Books has put together with the help of publishers.

Anderson’s Bookshops Feted at a “Celeappreciation”

Tres Anderson, Sourcebooks Vice President Todd Stocke, Becky Anderson, Sourcebooks founder Dominique Raccah, and Naperville Mayor George Pradel at The Celeappreciation

Last week, Anderson’s Bookshops in Naperville, Illinois, were feted at a “Celeappreciation.” The event was sponsored by Sourcebooks (also located in Naperville) in recognition of Anderson’s Publishers Weekly 2011 Bookseller of the Year Award.

The Celeappreciation featured games, raffles, and refreshments. Sourcebooks Vice President Todd Stocke spoke about the importance of independents and made a presentation to Anderson’s co-owner and current ABA President Becky Anderson. Attendees included store co-owner Tres Anderson, Sourcebooks President and Publisher Dominique Raccah, and Naperville Mayor George Pradel.