Last year at this time I was patting myself on the back for having a successful holiday season and looking forward to a long and happy book selling career.
In the last twelve months the e-book market has literally exploded. No longer is the Amazon Kindle king of the hill; now we're watching sales of the Nook Color, IPad, Sony Reader and others soaring. Significant price cuts, 3G, Wi-Fi, touch screens, web surfing and full color have made these little devices much more popular. One of the little devils even turned up under my Christmas tree! I am now the guilty owner of a Nook Color.
For the first week I only used my Nook at home with the blinds closed, late at night, under the covers. I was sure the book police would show up and confiscate my business license. When it didn't happen I came out into the daylight and learned some cool stuff.
I have to tell you - I like it. I haven't read a lot of books with it yet, but I do use it to read my favorite magazine while I'm on the treadmill. I check email, write and upload my newsletters (yes, this is from my Nook!), surf the web, listen to music and a host of other activities. On the downside, it's heavier then the average book and I worry about carrying it places because it was a lot more expensive than a book! I'm still finding that the books are more expensive than here in the store but its fun and helpful in my daily life so I'm not completely hating it...
I'll post more as I have time to investigate further and I would love to hear your thoughts... did you get one? give one? want one? Where is the future of our books heading?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Oops!!
Wow - it's been so long since I blogged that I don't even know where to start with this!
I guess the best thing to do would be to say ~ so sorry ~ for not being better about staying in touch with all of you! But you know how it is... you put your head down to work one Tuesday and when you look up its four months later!
So, I suppose a quick update is in order. For those of you who have been hanging around with us for awhile... Ronda (our store manager of 6 years) left us. We miss her - she was so organized and very protective of the books! But our lives change and we move on... Eventually the perfect person to replace her will wander through, but in the meantime we've been floating along on our own.
I've been running all over the country (as usual) buying up all the best books for all of you. I had to take a little break in September to have my old lady hip fixed. But it went very well and I have my groove back, which is good for you guys cause now I can buy books twice as fast! (zip! zip!)
We've made a few changes here in the store - nothing major - just a little house cleaning, a bit of re-arranging and some shelf additions. Always looking to make things perfect for you! We've expanded the movie section which everyone seems to really love - and we added the video games this year as well - also a very popular addition.
If you haven't visited in awhile or checked out the website in over a month you might want to take a peek or drop in - - I'm just saying.... you don't want to miss anything fabulous do you?
I guess the best thing to do would be to say ~ so sorry ~ for not being better about staying in touch with all of you! But you know how it is... you put your head down to work one Tuesday and when you look up its four months later!
So, I suppose a quick update is in order. For those of you who have been hanging around with us for awhile... Ronda (our store manager of 6 years) left us. We miss her - she was so organized and very protective of the books! But our lives change and we move on... Eventually the perfect person to replace her will wander through, but in the meantime we've been floating along on our own.
I've been running all over the country (as usual) buying up all the best books for all of you. I had to take a little break in September to have my old lady hip fixed. But it went very well and I have my groove back, which is good for you guys cause now I can buy books twice as fast! (zip! zip!)
We've made a few changes here in the store - nothing major - just a little house cleaning, a bit of re-arranging and some shelf additions. Always looking to make things perfect for you! We've expanded the movie section which everyone seems to really love - and we added the video games this year as well - also a very popular addition.
If you haven't visited in awhile or checked out the website in over a month you might want to take a peek or drop in - - I'm just saying.... you don't want to miss anything fabulous do you?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Circus Mode!
It's May!! You probably already knew that. But what you may not know is that its Circus month for us! Every year near the end of May we make the trek to Hershey, PA to see Ringling Brothers. I'm so excited about this year, there are nine of us going this time - I had to rent a van! We've got Celebrity Seating - this means that we get to sit front row center, get our own personal clown ~ and...... we get to be IN the circus!! Does it get any better then that??
Heck no.
So, to get myself into the proper frame of mind to go to the Greatest Show on Earth I've been reading circus books. My favorite so far has to be Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants - if you haven't read this one yet, don't pass it up! It's a wonderful book - the ending is exactly what I wished for!
I also read Bruce Feilers Under the Big Top - his memoir of a season he spent with the circus and Modoc by Ralph Helfer - the true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived. I loved all of these... and if you're not lucky enough to be going to the circus you should at least enjoy some great circus titles!
Heck no.
So, to get myself into the proper frame of mind to go to the Greatest Show on Earth I've been reading circus books. My favorite so far has to be Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants - if you haven't read this one yet, don't pass it up! It's a wonderful book - the ending is exactly what I wished for!
I also read Bruce Feilers Under the Big Top - his memoir of a season he spent with the circus and Modoc by Ralph Helfer - the true story of the greatest elephant that ever lived. I loved all of these... and if you're not lucky enough to be going to the circus you should at least enjoy some great circus titles!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Swamped!
Where does the time go? Seems like I look at the calendar and it's the first of the month - then somehow its the 20th.
Things are hopping at the store right now - we had our children's book fair - it was a smashing success! Thanks to everyone who came, browsed and bought. I'll definitely have to do that again.
We're now running like mad to all the spring book events and then spending every waking moment getting the books into the database and on the shelves as quickly as possible. There have been some great finds this month - a ton of great quilting books, about 1500 mysteries, more then 2000 romances, the children's section has been completely re-worked and is stuffed with great books, the inspirational fiction shelves are literally overloaded with with some of the best picks we've had in a loooong time, I even managed to get a great deal on some audio books - nice new ones!!
So, take a little time out of your hectic spring schedule - plan your summer vacation, projects etc... and stop by and see us!
Things are hopping at the store right now - we had our children's book fair - it was a smashing success! Thanks to everyone who came, browsed and bought. I'll definitely have to do that again.
We're now running like mad to all the spring book events and then spending every waking moment getting the books into the database and on the shelves as quickly as possible. There have been some great finds this month - a ton of great quilting books, about 1500 mysteries, more then 2000 romances, the children's section has been completely re-worked and is stuffed with great books, the inspirational fiction shelves are literally overloaded with with some of the best picks we've had in a loooong time, I even managed to get a great deal on some audio books - nice new ones!!
So, take a little time out of your hectic spring schedule - plan your summer vacation, projects etc... and stop by and see us!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Bigger ~ Better ~ More!
Spring is finally here! I love warm weather, it makes me want to start new projects. Right now is a great time to start new projects because we had a bit of a flood at the store last week during the three day rain event.
So, our new store will be even newer! We've had new plumbing done this week, we're expecting the construction and carpet crews first of the week. As soon as they finish, we'll start to set up for the Childrens Book Fair which will be April 1,2 &3 during regular store hours. There will be hundreds of new books at 50% or more off cover, as well as used books in great shape at our usual great prices. Mark your calendar, bring a friend or two and plan to stop in for a fun event!
The other fun news.... we're adding new shelving up front - and on that shelving will be our new Video Game section - we've got almost 700 games to get things rolling! Another good reason to stop by don't you think?
See ya soon!
Judy
So, our new store will be even newer! We've had new plumbing done this week, we're expecting the construction and carpet crews first of the week. As soon as they finish, we'll start to set up for the Childrens Book Fair which will be April 1,2 &3 during regular store hours. There will be hundreds of new books at 50% or more off cover, as well as used books in great shape at our usual great prices. Mark your calendar, bring a friend or two and plan to stop in for a fun event!
The other fun news.... we're adding new shelving up front - and on that shelving will be our new Video Game section - we've got almost 700 games to get things rolling! Another good reason to stop by don't you think?
See ya soon!
Judy
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Our Shared Space
We're sharing our store with some interesting businesses this month.
The Sheridan School Mountain Campus is hosting an open house this month at their amazing camp near Rileyville, VA off about 5 miles from Luray. The camp is 130 acres of woods, mountains, water, adventure and serious fun. If you're planning on sending your kids to summer camp this year, don't miss out on the opportunity to check out Sheridan. Next time you're in the store pick-up their brochure at the front counter. Your kids will love you for it! (can you picture a 500ft zip line?)
Our Meet the Locals guest for March is Hands to Create ~ a bead and pottery business owned by Tammy Coffman, located on Main St in Front Royal. Tammy's shop is full of beautiful, colorful beads and ceramic supplies. She does classes, camps and workshops as well as hosting all manner of parties. Stop in to see some of her work and pick up information about upcoming events.
April is shaping up to be a busy month at the store - we're planning a children's bookfair for April 1,2 &3 - there will hundreds of new and nearly new childrens and young adult books. Plan now to stop in - and watch your email for updates!
The Sheridan School Mountain Campus is hosting an open house this month at their amazing camp near Rileyville, VA off about 5 miles from Luray. The camp is 130 acres of woods, mountains, water, adventure and serious fun. If you're planning on sending your kids to summer camp this year, don't miss out on the opportunity to check out Sheridan. Next time you're in the store pick-up their brochure at the front counter. Your kids will love you for it! (can you picture a 500ft zip line?)
Our Meet the Locals guest for March is Hands to Create ~ a bead and pottery business owned by Tammy Coffman, located on Main St in Front Royal. Tammy's shop is full of beautiful, colorful beads and ceramic supplies. She does classes, camps and workshops as well as hosting all manner of parties. Stop in to see some of her work and pick up information about upcoming events.
April is shaping up to be a busy month at the store - we're planning a children's bookfair for April 1,2 &3 - there will hundreds of new and nearly new childrens and young adult books. Plan now to stop in - and watch your email for updates!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Book Clubs
Get ready! In the next couple days we'll be sending out this years Book Club suggestion list.
The list will cover ideas for book club reads for all ages and genres.
You still have time to help put the list together! If you've read anything recently that you think would make for some lively discussion - send it along to me! It doesn't have to be a new book, it just has to be a book that you you've probably already told friends about, or had discussions about. You can send your suggestions by simply posting a reply to this Blog below.
While we're on the subject of Book Clubs.... if you belong to one and would like to advertise for more members, send us the info - when you meet, where, what you're reading, etc.... and we'll be happy to post the info at the store and in our newsletter!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Judy
The list will cover ideas for book club reads for all ages and genres.
You still have time to help put the list together! If you've read anything recently that you think would make for some lively discussion - send it along to me! It doesn't have to be a new book, it just has to be a book that you you've probably already told friends about, or had discussions about. You can send your suggestions by simply posting a reply to this Blog below.
While we're on the subject of Book Clubs.... if you belong to one and would like to advertise for more members, send us the info - when you meet, where, what you're reading, etc.... and we'll be happy to post the info at the store and in our newsletter!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Judy
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