IndieBound

W.G. Ellerkamp Inc., the official supplier of IndieBound bags to ABA member bookstores, is now taking orders for new reusable bags bearing the movement's popular "Peace. Love. Books." slogan. Orders placed now will be filled in November. The attractive tote, which can be used over and over again, is great for resale and for promotional giveaways. The bag, which is red with white print, measures 13" x 5" x 13".

With Major League Baseball's post-season in full-swing, we present the The Indie October Baseball Bestseller List, based on sales in independent bookstores nationwide for the eight-week period ending October 14, 2008. 1. Watching Baseball Smarter: A Professional Fan's Guide for Beginners, Semi-Experts, and Deeply Serious Geeks Zack Hample, Vintage, $13.95, 9780307280329

Although most pundits are predicting a lackluster holiday shopping season, there's at least one local business group that's hoping to turn the current economic situation to its advantage. The Sustainable Business Network of the Greater Lehigh Valley (SBN) in southeast Pennsylvania plans to launch a Main Street, Not Wall Street campaign to highlight to consumers the advantages of spending their dollars at local independent businesses.

IndieBound has created a handy, new guide for booksellers who have been longing to take advantage of the wealth of customizable materials in the Bookseller Do-It-Yourself, but who have been afraid to take the plunge.

For the eight-week period ending October 7, 2008, and based on sales in independent bookstores nationwide. 1. A New Earth Eckhart Tolle, Plume, $14, 9780452289963 2.

The October Indie Next List Notables flier, in PDF format, features jacket images, bibliographic information, and bookseller quotes for a great selection of titles to complement the month's Indie Next List selections. Bookseller quotes are also currently available in an electronic file of Notables shelf-talkers.

Here's a preview of the November Indie Next List now on its way to ABA member stores in the IndieBound movement.

This Friday is the nomination deadline for the December Indie Next List. And now is a great time to nominate. ABA has announced the "Tell-a-Bookseller-Friend" Indie Next List Nomination Challenge, in which booksellers can win an ABA gift card worth $150.

Booksellers who have nominated titles to the Indie Next Lists in the past are being enlisted to help bring new voices to the chorus of those contributing recommendations to future lists. The "Tell-a-Bookseller-Friend" Indie Next List Nomination Challenge encourages past contributors to tell bookseller friends who have never nominated a title to the lists just how easy it is to do.

The Indie Next List for Reading Groups for Fall '08/Winter '09 will be arriving in bookstores in the IndieBound movement in the October Red Box mailing; however, the full list, with bookseller quotes, can be previewed online now.