Once again, Amazon model of e-reader books and higher margins has escalated into Walmart-like bullying against vendors who won’t play their way—namely, continually lowering their prices until said vendor goes out of business, at which point Amazon/Walmart buys up the broken pieces or moves on to another target. With no stake in any brick and mortar locations, just warehouses ... Read More...
Cleveland: Loganberry Books
Earlier this week I was in Cleveland and had the great fortune to visit Loganberry Books in the Shaker Heights neighborhood. I’m fortunate to have a sister-in-law who knows bookstores are one of my favorite destinations in any city so she insisted we stop by. Loganberry Books is one of those marvelous stores where the front windows cannot convey just how much depth lies ... Read More...
University Book Store
Earlier this week I had such a great afternoon I knew I had to share it with all my readers AND tell you to stop reading and head to your local university. OK, don’t get in the car but at least google their bookstore. Why? Because, it could turn out to be the kind of place you escape to and not the stodgy, textbook filled tomb of your college days. I’m aging myself right now ... Read More...
Powell’s Event: Chris Bohjalian
Recently I was at Powell’s to hear author Chris Bohjalian read from his newest book, The Light in the Ruins. Little did I know the reading would be the least of the entertainment, because Bohjalian is an accomplished raconteur with an ease that makes you feel as if you were in his home and he was entertaining. Not hyped up, but welcoming and gracious. After thanking us from ... Read More...
Powell’s Event: Peter Rock
Last week I reviewed the The Shelter Cycle, the newest book from Portland author, Peter Rock, and got to attend a reading of the book at Powell’s. It was the second author event I attended where the writer is also a teacher and it makes for a unique evening. To begin with, there are often a lot of students in the crowd—especially for Rock who teaches at a local private ... Read More...
Annie Bloom’s Event: Amanda Coplin
Monday night I had the pleasure of listening to Amanda Coplin discuss her extraordinary debut novel, The Orchardist, which I reviewed last week. It is one of those books that strain my credibility as a critic because I am overcome with hyperbole. Thankfully, I stopped short of drawing comparisons between her work and Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose (I just thought it). OK, ... Read More...
