Square One Books Featured in Marc Fitten's INDIE 100 - a look at 100 Independent Bookstores Across America

We were happy to be visited by Marc in his recent trip through Seattle.

You can read about it here.

You can also peruse Marc's entries on other notable Seattle bookstores and read more about his project on the site. Here, in his own words is what he is working on:

I'm going on an extensive book tour in support of my new novel,VALERIA'S LAST STAND. Only, to spice things up, I've decided that while I'm on the road, I will visit 100 independent book stores and blog about what I think makes them unique. I'll also keep a photo diary on Flickr for anyone interested in seeing more of what these stores look like. It's a road trip, thousands of miles around America, from city to city -- 100 stores, as long as it takes. ..

You can also read about Marc's journey in this New York Times piece.

Good luck, Marc. Hope to see you in Seattle again soon.

15 Coolest Bookshelves

For a light diversion, we thought you would get a kick out of this entry on the 15 Coolest Bookshelves... as if all those lovely books weren't beautiful enough... 

From Oddee... http://www.oddee.com/item_96613.aspx

Literary top ten lists

 The Times (UK) online has three fun lists about novels: 10 Spectacular second novels, 10 Cursed second novels, and 10 Literary one-hit wonders.

Joe Hill -- Stephen King's son -- promotes indie bookstores

---from BoingBoing:

The author Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) is doing a great thing to promote the support of independent bookstores. He announced on his blog that he will draw a winner of a signed, slipcased edition of his new novel, Gunpowder. All you have to do is to buy something at an independent bookstore and email him a copy of the receipt.

Subterranean Press liked the idea so much that they've added a list of limited editions as prizes, including a limited edition of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and two titles by Ray Bradbury, among other treasures.

Love Your Indie: The Contest http://joehillfiction.com/?p=714

A few new changes

First, we've changed our Book Club night! We will now be meeting on the first WEDNESDAY of each month, beginning in March.

We wanted to accommodate a few of our customers that wanted to attend other First Thursday events, so we have changed the date beginning on Wednesday March 4, when we will discuss The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner. You can read more about this and other book club selections on our Web site at http://www.square1books.com/bookclub.htm

We look forward to seeing you there for a great discussion.

Second, we have introduced a monthly email newsletter that discusses the books that we are reading now, what's hot in the store and exciting new releases to watch out for in the coming months. We'll also include coupons and special offers for subscribers. You can sign up on our home page at http://www.square1books.com.

Finally - check us out on Facebook - we'd love to connect with you there and hear what you have to say about the most recent bestsellers and other great books.

Longer Holiday Hours

Square Books wishes you and your family Happy Holidays.

We're extending our holiday hours to make it more convenient for you to come by.

We will now be open the following times:

Monday - Friday 10-7

Saturday 10-5:30 

Sunday 11-5

 We hope to see you in the store soon. 

Looking to find a book in Tanzania...

First, a thanks to everyone who joined us in celebrating our birthday and 21 years of serving the readers of West Seattle. I'm sorry I couldn't be there to help Gretchen and her team celebrate.

Right now, I'm on the hunt for a copy of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, while I'm here in Tanzania - I sure miss having a good book store nearby ;).  I hope to get a copy so that I can lead the discussion on Thursday, Dec. 4.

I hope to be fully recovered from jet lag and readjusting to life back in the States by that date. 

In the interim, I thought I'd share with you this photo of Bismark Rock that I took at sunset in Mwanza, in the NW of Tanzania. 

See you all soon.