It Took A Town to Fill These Shelves
I decided before opening the store that I wouldn’t select my inventory based on a best seller list or a “package” my distributor told me I needed. I decided that the books in this store would be recommended by local and visiting readers.
As it turned out, that was the right thing to do. Since this town is filled with well-read, intelligent people, I need the best selection. Some come from English or History professors, some from undergrads, some from law students and some from fellow bibliophiles. The teens in Lexington take time to chat about their favorite reads and what’s good and what isn’t. And thank goodness for librarians and teachers who really know which books are best. These folks have helped me go from forward facing books with about three inches in between, to predominantly spine-out books filling the shelves and tables. They help me decide which best-sellers are truly amazing and which ones to pass up.
Here is where some of the best recs have come from!
BOOKS FOR KIDS
Purchasing the right books for children is critical. These are the future books-lovers, plus we all know how important it is to read and read a lot when you’re young. Specifically, I’m grateful to Sarah, an elementary school teacher (who will soon be making her home in Lexington) for sending me the most wonderful list of books for the youngest readers. She listed authors like Jory John, Peter Reynolds and Julia Donaldson and series like Pete the Cat and If you Give a Mouse a Cookie. Her overall favorite picks include The Day the Crayons Quit, The Snowy Day and Knuffle Bunny. I’ve used her list of recommendations so much that it’s folded and bent and needs to be reprinted. I’m grateful for all the time she took to make this list of recommendations. It’s a critical part of my book-buying process.
SPY NOVELS
Another well- thought- out list, this time spy novels, is from our friend Scott. He sent a two page single-spaced list of authors AND a brief summary of each book. This not only helps me select great books for our shelves but also provides a resource for anyone who stops in the shop looking for a new spy novel. His recommendations include Charles Cumming (who has a new book out), David Downing, John Lawton and of course, Ian Flemming (Bond. James Bond).
SCI-FI AND FANTASY
Our Fantasy and Sci-Fi section is growing but only because of Emily who provided a list of current and upcoming books. Dune is on there, as is The Wheel of Time series, Foundation, Black Sun, The Ordinary Princess, and authors like Fonda Lee, Brandon Sanderson and N.K. Jamisin.
YOUNG ADULT AND ROMANCE
Alden gets credit for the beginning of the YA and Romance sections. Her suggestions included Heart Bones, While We Were Dating, The Unhoneymooners and Malibu Rising. Thanks to Alden and other YA readers who take time to talk about books they love, our sections continue to grow.
NONFICTION
Many nonfiction reads are on the shelf thanks to experts in their field, such as Col. Sullivan who recommended Meditations, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and Man’s Search for Meaning. Others like The Psychology of Money, Richer, Wiser, Happier and Evolution Gone Wrong are thanks to Chris.
FICTION
And my favorite genre, FICTION! I’ve gotten so many marvelous recommendations for novels as well as mysteries and thrillers. I was introduced to one of the best books of 2021, The Silent Patient, by Anna-Marie. And, thank you Nadeen, a true expert, for your recommendations of authors Tommy Orange, Ocean Vuong and Celeste Ng. Some visitors recommended authors like Lisa Jewell and Riley Sager and tons and tons of amazing reads! This is a topic for a blog of its own.
