Newtonville Books Looking to Snare Book Club Market

"Book Club Night," held Monday, March 4, at Newton, Massachusetts-based Newtonville Books was an event that the store hoped would achieve a number of goals. First, the store hoped to bring book clubs, and people interested in joining them, together. Second, it wanted to show book club members the importance of a knowledgeable bookseller in choosing a title. Third, it was an opportunity to find out what the clubs wanted from Newtonville Books. And last, but not least: "We were also hoping to sell a lot of books!" said Betty Sudarsky, senior bookseller for Newtonville Books, and director of Monday’s event.

Book clubs, and consumer interest in book clubs, are on an upswing, said Sudarsky, who noted that she’s seen resurgence in their popularity over the past 10 years. Since Newtonville Books opened its doors in October 1998, customers have shown an interest in clubs. What’s more, she believes that independents can potentially satisfy this niche more effectively than a large chain store.

Sudarsky explained that it takes a specific type of title to meet the needs of a book club. It has to be well written, of course, and, also, about something that sparks conversation. Consequently, often the best place to look for the perfect book club title is not on the national bestseller lists, but, rather, in the hands of a bookseller with a passion for reading. "One of the characteristics of the independent bookstore (hopefully!) is that booksellers really know their books," Sudarsky said.

Consequently, for "Book Club Night" to be successful, it was imperative that the staff be involved, to showcase their book smarts. The 90-minute forum was hosted by Sudarsky, who began the evening by talking about the history and lore of book clubs. Afterward, two colleagues spoke about, and recommended for book club selection, three recently released paperback books: Hotel World, by Ali Smith (Anchor); The Quick and the Dead by Joy Williams (Vintage); and The Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri (HarperPerennial), also a January/February 2002 Book Sense 76 pick.

The booksellers also gave special mention to four other books, though without any presentation: Shutter Babe: Adventures in Love and War, by Deborah Copaken Kogan (Random House); Singing Boy: A Novel by Dennis McFarland (Picador USA); Martyrs’ Crossing by Amy Wilentz (Ballantine); and Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks (Anchor). "We chose books that we felt book clubs wouldn’t normally choose," Sudarsky said. "And by having my co-workers choose and present the books, it shows the staff is knowledgeable."

Overall, Sudarsky said, the evening’s event was a success, though audience turnout was not as large as anticipated. Still, over six book clubs in the Newton area were represented, along with many individuals interested in joining book clubs. And those in attendance were not only enthusiastic, but, after the hour-long presentation, they spent the next half-hour purchasing a lot of books (especially those that the staff recommended). "You worry beforehand that people will take your list [of staff recommendations], and fulfill it somewhere else," Sudarsky said. "But that didn’t happen." -- David Grogan