Book Sense

The presidential primary votes have been tallied and the winners declared, and now life returns to normal in the Granite State. But in the weeks and months leading up to this week's much-watched primary vote, MainStreet BookEnds of Warner, New Hampshire, played host to events for several of the Democratic hopefuls, and had some, including Sen. Hillary Clinton, visit the store. Since MainStreet opened in 1998, it has been through three presidential campaign cycles.

Voting for the 2008 Book Sense Book of the Year Awards is now open to the owners and staff of all American Booksellers Association member bookstores. The awards honor independent booksellers' handselling favorites in the categories of Adult Fiction, Adult Nonfiction, Children's Literature, and Children's Illustrated.

For the eight-week period ending January 8, 2008, and based on sales in independent bookstores nationwide. 1. The Secret Rhonda Byrne (Ed.), Atria/Beyond Words, $23.95, 9781582701707 2.

Here is the full listing of February Book Sense Picks, with booksellers' comments, as well as a preview of the month's Notables. Independent booksellers in the Book Sense program will be receiving their February Picks fliers in the January Red Box.

There will be two opportunities for independent booksellers to help create Book Sense Picks lists in January: Friday, January 4, is the deadline for nominations for the March Book Sense Picks list. Friday, January 11, is the deadline for nominations for the Spring Children's Picks list.

Although Bookselling This Week will be on hiatus next week, Book Sense will be producing a weekly Bestseller List, reflecting sales during the all-important week leading up to Christmas. To enable the maximum number of booksellers to submit their sales data, bestseller reporting hours will be extended to 3:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, December 26, for Nielsen BookScan users reporting directly from their POS system and till 3:00 a.m.

For years, Sherri White had her eye on an early 1900s-era, brick building in Brunswick, Maryland. Her dream, if the space ever became available, was to open a bookstore. When the location was listed for lease in June 2004, White worked fast: She secured the space, remodeled, and opened Book Crossing, a general bookstore and café, just three months later.

For booksellers looking for a way to highlight the top-selling titles of 2007 at Book Sense stores nationwide, last week the American Booksellers Association unveiled the 2007 Book Sense Bestsellers.

For the eight-week period ending December 17, 2007, and based on sales in hundreds of independent bookstores across the U.S. 1. Paula Deen Celebrates!: Best Dishes and Best Wishes for the Best Times of Your Life Paula H. Deen, S&S, $26, 9780743278119 2.

This week, the American Booksellers Association unveils the 2007 Book Sense Bestsellers, the year's top-selling titles at independent bookstores with Book Sense nationwide.