Parnassus Books Set to Open in October

Bestselling author Ann Patchett and publishing veteran Karen Hayes are set to open Parnassus Books in a 2,500-square-foot space in Greenbriar Village in Nashville, Tennessee, this October.

Joining Hayes in heading the staff will be Mary Grey James, formerly of the Ingram Content Company, who will serve as the store’s general manager.

“I think Nashville wants this and needs this, and I don’t want to live in a city that doesn’t have an independent bookstore,” Patchett told the Tennessean [1]. The longtime Nashville resident had announced her plans to open a bookstore earlier this summer.

Parnassus Books will emphasize customer service and will offer an inventory of literature, nonfiction, children’s, local interests, and the arts in both printed and digital formats, including Google eBooks™ and an extensive backlist.  Non-book items will include greeting cards and journals, magazines and newspapers, locally produced products and art, and store-branded merchandise.         

Customers will also be able to join the “Parnassus First Edition Club,” which will offer titles signed by nationally and locally known authors.

A Parnassus Books e-mail newsletter will feature store news, events, and staff recommendations, and a Facebook page [2] will highlight events and newly released titles. Patchett will write a monthly blog.

The store, which will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, will aim to serve as a center for Nashville’s literary community by hosting author readings, workshops, book clubs, and music events.