#FridayReads

Booksellers and booklovers tweet books they're currently reading every Friday via #fridayreads. What was everyone reading last week? (this makes me feel good about our store selection)

1. FREEDOM by Johnathan Franzen - have at store


2. ROOM by Emma Donoghue - have at store and I read it

3. DELIRIUM by Lauren Oliver - have at store and I read it
JUST KIDS by Patti Smith - have at store and I read it
SWAMPLANDIA by Karen Russell - have at store

6. THE WEIRD SISTERS by Eleanor Brown - have at store

 7. A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES by Deborah Harkness - have at store
I AM NUMBER FOUR by Pittacus Lore - have at store
THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot - have at store

10. JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte - have at store
THE BOOK THIEF by Marcus Zusak - have at store
THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins- have at store and I read it
UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand - have at store

14. MADAME TUSSAUD by Michelle Moran
MIDDLEMARCH by George Eliot - have at store
NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro - have at store (although may be out of stock...)
THE WINDUP GIRL by Paolo Bacigalupi - have at store (although may be out of stock...)

18. A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan - have at store
AT HOME by Bill Bryson - have at store
BEFORE I FALL by Lauren Oliver - have at store
BLACK HEELS TO TRACTOR WHEELS by Ree Drummond - on our order list
CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins- have at store and I read it
CUTTING FOR STONE by Abraham Verghese- have at store and I read it
LIFE by Keith Richards- have at store and it's on my shelf to read
MOON OVER MANIFEST by Clare Vanderpool - have at store

wow...it's been crazy

I have not given gifts, sent cards, returned voice messages or answered most emails. The only mode of communication I've been fairly responsive to is text. I'm very fortunate to have extremely patient and wonderful family and friends.

It's been very busy getting the store going, having our grand opening weekend and now settling into managing the store and setting up events. I am humbled multiple times every day by having to say "No, I haven't read that, but I hear it's great...", trying to find a specific children's book (which sounds like it should be easy) or worse yet... shudder... trying to recommend books.

The most wonderful people walk through these doors, some with such an infectious love for books that it spreads throughout the store. And the children whose eye light up as soon as they see the books, you can't help but smile.

And almost ever day, a friend who I haven't seen for ages walks through the door to see the store -- that's been so much fun!

We're rearranged the shelves to let in more light and it looks fantastic. It's a pleasure to come in here every day!

Check out more Jess Recommends => => => =>

Grand Opening - February 10-12!

Wow, we're open 2 weeks today and it's been a crazy and great time.  We've met so many wonderful neighbors and are now getting ready for our Grand Opening (!) next week.

We've had fun planning these events and hope you can join us to celebrate our new store!

• Thurs, Feb 10, 7:30 to 9 pm:  Galley Giveaway and Wine Tasting -- free books and wine tasting -- what more can I say?

•  Fri, Feb 11, 6:30 - 8:30 pm:  Alexandria native, Ellen Byerrum, will sign the latest in her A Crime of Fashion Mystery series - Shot Through Velvet.  We were all excited to get Ellen's books on our shelves.  With titles like Hostile Makeover and Grave Apparel, you know they'll be fun.

We have TWO events on Saturday:

• We're very fortunate to have four local children's authors - Jacqueline Jules, Wendy Shang, Marty Rhodes Figley and Fred Bowen - here from 1-3 pm Saturday afternoon to talk about their books and visit with us.  It will be a great event!
• The final event of our Grand Opening runs from 4-6 pm - our Chocolate, Champagne and Wine Tasting!  Books, wine/champagne and chocolate - a killer combo!

Please join us!