Showing posts with label Village Story Peddlers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Village Story Peddlers. Show all posts

Friday, August 15, 2014

Village Story Peddlers: Nantucket Bookworks




The DMS wants to send some good cheer out to those wonderful independent books sellers. So, we decided to share some of our favorite corner bookstores with you. 




Today, we want to tell you about Nantucket BookworksThis charming book nook has gobs of story magic dripping from every shelf!  




What is the story behind Nantucket Bookworks?


The store was founded in 1972 by Patty Claflin. Originally located in a basement on the corner of Federal and Broad, Bookworks soon moved into 25 Broad St, a small building dating back to 1880, where it has remained to this day. In the late 90's, the Claflins tapped Wendy Hudson to take over the business, and Bookworks changed hands at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, 2000. Several years ago, Wendy also took on responsibility for Mitchell's Book Corner, and now both stores operate under the Nantucket Book Partners umbrella (while maintaining our respective distinct identities and fan bases). For the full story, click here

What is your favorite book to chat about?

This summer, I've been leaning heavily toward The Secret History. It's an earlier novel by Donna Tartt, who wrote this summer's bestseller The Goldfinch, and it's the story of a young man from the midwest who becomes enmeshed in an intellectually lofty but morally debauched clique at an East Coast college. The plot is great, but Tartt's writing really makes this book.

My coworker Max prefers A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki. According to Max, "It's the diary of a young Japanese girl who calls herself a time being, and the story is brought to you by a woman who finds the diary on a beach on an island in Canada that's a lot like Nantucket.... but the diary is more than it seems"



Our manager, Suzanne, has two favorites this summer: We the Drowned, which focuses on the shipping industry's effects on a small coastal town in Norway at the turn of the century, and The Baron in the Trees, the tale of a young Italian count who abandons his family in the middle of dinner one night and spends the rest of his life in the trees.



Are there any upcoming events happening at the bookstore? If so, what?

Since Mitchell's and Bookworks joined forces, Mitchell's has taken on most of the signings and author events, and every summer they have a very busy events schedule. This summer, Bookworks has featured volunteer face-painters on Saturday mornings, and this Saturday we're also hosting a signing by a local author, Melissa Macvicar.

Nimbus 2000 or a Firebolt???
This is a bookstore you'll definitely want to visit! 

Nantucket Bookworks
25 Broad Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
(508) 228-4000

Friday, August 23, 2013

Village Story Peddlers!


The DMS wants to send some good cheer out to those wonderful independent books sellers. So, we decided that it would be great to share some of our favorite corner bookstores with you. 

Today, we want to tell you about Linda's Story Time in Monroe, CTThis unique book nook has all the charm and enchantment you can imagine.


We were lucky enough for the chance to meet Patricia Polacco at Linda's Story Time. It was wonderful to see so many young readers excited about books, and a good time was had by all!






Let's welcome Linda, the owner of this great corner book shop!
Here's the story... 

I opened Linda's Story Time in 1999, after working in the independent book business for 15 years at Klein's of Westport. My boss and mentor, Livia Ryan, taught me everything there was to know about the book business at the time. I became the manager of the children's book department after several years, and the manager of the entire book department when Livia Ryan retired. When Klein's closed in early 1999, the owner of the store, Stanley Klein, offered to be my business partner in a new children's book store, which I would create. 
I had a vision of what Linda's Story Time should be: an inviting, colorful, energetic place where children age 0 to 18 would browse and find their next new treasure of a book. They would also find crafts, puppets, and other educational and fun gifts. Over the years, I added an eclectic adult section, which has increased in size and selection. I've had invaluable help from my mother and my husband, as well as from several friends. I've hosted many events such as author book signings, children's book character visits, Star Wars Reads Day, Where's Waldo in Monroe Scavenger Hunt, and educational evenings for parents and teachers. I also provide book fairs in many Connecticut elementary, middle, and high schools. Linda's Story Time is always evolving - and it's a labor of love! 




What is your favorite book to chat about?
 

One of my favorite books to talk about is Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Lilly is a handful - just the way I like my young characters. After shopping with her grandmother, Lilly brings to school a purple plastic purse that plays a jaunty tune and has three jingly quarters inside. It's not time for show-and-tell, but Lilly can't shut up about her new treasure. Her adored teacher, Mr. Slinger, takes the purse away; oh, the drama that ensues! Every emotion is present - joy, heartache, guilt, regret, and ultimately relief. Henkes is a master of his crafts - he shows instead of telling. With just the right understated phrase and the most illustrative postures and facial expressions, Lilly's story jumps off the two-dimensional page and into the reader's life.



Check out Linda's Story Time
 and open your world to the magic of books!



Sunday, April 29, 2012

Village Story Peddlers... Byrd's Books



The DMS wants to send some good cheer out to those wonderful independent books sellers. So, we decided that every month it would be great to share some of our favorite corner bookstores with our readers. For this Village Story Peddlers post, we want to talk about Byrd's Books in Bethel, CTThis unique book nook has all the charm and enchantment you could imagine. It is a comfortable showcase for all the new and exciting stories popping up these days. Follow along as we explore this innovative book store and see where the magical world of words is heading next!


April Village Story Peddlers: Byrd's Books, Bethel, CT 
Here's the story...


Welcome to Byrd’s Books! We are a general bookstore that carries only new titles, with a special focus on Bethel authors, Connecticut authors, poets, publishers and illustrators. Additionally, we carry greeting cards, gifts, take special orders and offer gift cards. We will have exciting author events throughout the year, often on Sunday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. in the Upstairs Gallery across the hall from the bookstore. View event calendar. Learn more about the book groups at Byrd's Books. 



Ms. Hutchinson is the daughter of Nancy Ivison, who owned Pymander Bookshop in Westport for 30 years. Ms. Hutchinson served as its manager and buyer over the years. She also worked at Barnes & Noble when it first opened in Danbury. Her Master’s of Art degree is in Teaching (MAT) with an emphasis on Young Adult literature. Alice has two adult children: Sarah, who lives in Bethel; and Stephen, who lives in Manchester, NH.

On Sunday, July 15th at 4p.m., Byrd’s Books is thrilled to be hosting an author event with Mariah Fredericks, author of the brand-new book The Girl in the Park.



Follow Byrd's Books Online!
Facebook ☞  Website  ☞  Bethel Bulletin


We would like to thank Byrd's Books for participating in our Village Story Peddlers Post and look forward to hearing more about this wonderful, new bookstore. Happy Reading! 






Located on the second floor of a newly renovated Victorian that anchors the Dolan Plaza, Byrd’s Books is accessible through Molten Java



Sunday, March 11, 2012

Village Story Peddlers... Books on the Common



Books on the Common, Ridgefield, CT



Una, Book Guardian
The DMS wants to send some good cheer out to those wonderful independent books sellers starting in March. So, we decided that every month it would be great to share some of our favorite corner bookstores with our readers. For our first Village Story Peddlers post, we want to talk about Books on the Common. This unique book nook has all the charm and enchantment you could imagine. It is a brilliant showcase for the many amazing stories housed on its reaching shelves. There to greet you with a friendly, bookish smile is the wise guardian of the books. Once inside, hold onto your pants, because the magical worlds of words will open right up for you. Follow along as we explore the history of the store and chat with the knowledgeable staff about what they think about books these days!

March Village Story Peddlers:
Books on the Common, Ridgefield, CT

Here's the story...
Books on the Common was established in 1984 by Bob and Sally Silbernagel in a tiny 450 sq. ft. space. Bob and Sally ran the store together, putting in long hours, with help from only one part-time employee. Just a few years later, they boldly doubled that space and expanded into the adjacent store, for a total of nearly 2,100 square feet - above average size for an independent bookstore. 

With the additional shelf space, Bob and Sally were able to expand their inventory and increase the number of titles in stock. Over the years, their three children helped out at the store, and more staff was hired. Books on the Common offered outstanding customer service, wonderful conversation, and great book recommendations - all critical to the survival of independents. Sadly, on May 16, 1991, Bob lost a long battle with cancer and passed away at the age of 49, and Sally was left to run the store on her own. She hired additional staff and kept it going, despite the increasing competitive pressures to come.



The 1990s brought the "killer B's" to bookselling business - the chain stores Barnes & Noble and Borders expanded rapidly throughout the U.S., and both opened locations in Danbury. Encore Books opened (and closed) in nearby Copps Hill Common during that decade, and Books on the Green came (and went) on Main Street. And then there was Amazon - internet bookselling started with the dot-com explosion in the '90s and continues to challenge all "bricks & mortar" independent booksellers nationwide.

Through it all, Books on the Common thrived, thanks to the loyal support of our customers. The residents of Ridgefield, Redding, North & South Salem and other surrounding towns have patronized the store all these years.

After 20 years in business, Sally decided it was time to retire, and the store is now owned by Ellen Burns and Darwin Ellis – two long-time Ridgefielders and avid readers. Ellen and Darwin maintained the friendly, comfortable atmosphere of the store while bringing it up-to-date by computerizing the store operations. After 5 more years in Copps Hill, it was decided that a better, more visible location was needed. Fortunately, a wonderful space on Ridgefield's historic Main Street became available in early 2009. Following many months of planning and negotiating, Books on the Common was reborn in its new space at 404 Main Street – known to old-time Ridgefielders as Bedient's – the hardware store that operated from the building for 100 years. Although our location has changed, the most important things have not – our passion for books, our willingness to make great book recommendations, and our ability to provide outstanding service to our customers – our fellow book lovers.



Books on the Common
404 Main Street
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Phone: (203) 431-9100
Fax: (203) 431-3233
Email: info@booksonthecommon.com
Location and hours




Here's what the staff has to say...


Ilene, Little House on the Prairie
What is your favorite book to chat about?
Ilene: My favorite book to chat about would be the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. These books have become part of my family’s culture, and we frequently refer to characters or events in them. Recently two of my adult children took a trip to South Dakota and Minnesota just to visit the sites of The House on Plum Creek and The Little House on the Prairie. Many people think of the TV show when they hear “Little House” but these books are a special treat.


Brooklyn: My favorite book to talk about is Harry Potter. While it might not be the most unique choice, I could talk about Harry Potter for hours. Because I grew up as the books were being published I feel like I grew up with the characters. I have so many memories of anxiously anticipating each new book and reading them feverishly through the night. Because the books hold so many memories for me I love to re-read them and discuss them with other avid Harry Potter readers.

Brooklyn, Harry Potter

If you could jump into any scene from any story, what would it be?

Melissa: Hmmm, scenes- well those are harder to conjure… I do think it would be magical to spend the night in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Mixed Up Files...) maybe The Hundred Acre Wood? The attic of the March girls? A Jane Austen ball or tea?

Zoe: If I could jump into any scene, it would be the scene in Inkheart by Cornelia Funke where Meggie's father, Mo, first reads to Capricorn and his men. When Mo reads out loud, his voice enchants his audience and the images in the book become enchantingly vivid in each listener's mind. I think it would be cool to see a book come to life.

Melissa, The Silver Chair


Who is your absolute, favorite character from a book?


Maggie: Puddleglum, from The Silver Chair by C. S. Lewis was always one of my favorite characters. He was so funny and a surprisingly good travel companion. He was able to grow a lot over the course of the book. It would be so cool to have a conversation with Puddleglum.

Matt: My favorite character from a book is Hans Hubermann from The Book Thief. Hans is gentle yet incredibly strong in the face of adversity. He is a character that everyone can look up to.



Matt, The Book Thief
We would like to thank the staff at Books on the Common for answering our questions, and we hope that you get a chance to check out this lovely, independent bookstore sometime!




Happy Reading!





Zoe, Inkheart