Borrowing unofficial Peace Corp motto: "Toughest job you'll ever love"

In Jan 2019, One More Page Books celebrates its 8th Anniversary. The last few years, we have been so busy that we don't remember it until one of the staff or a customer says something. Busy is good, but sometimes exhausting.

Our lease expires in July 2010 so over 2019 we will explore what is next for OMP.  Do we stay or do we move? How do we continue to change and evolve in this very competitive space? How can we pay our amazing staff something they might be able to live on? Will I continue to downsize?  

The store, our incredible staff and the support from many of our customers and author friends make this the best job ever, but, it is hard...  I think you would hear the same from many small business owners.

Richard Thompson is one of our Bookstore Angel

We are so fortunate that I could write a whole series of posts about our bookstore "angels" -  customers and authors who go above and beyond by telling everyone they know about us, bringing new customers to the store and who buy all their friends' gifts at our store.

We have wonderful angel authors who ask us to host their launch parties, promote us through social media, sign special books requests and who join us in fan girl/boy worship.

Today, I want to talk about Richard Thompson who was a bookstore angel from before we even opened our doors. Due to delays in permit approvals (grrrr...), we held our first three events next door because the store space was not allowed to be open. A kind acquaintance shared Richard's email with me and he agreed to come sign! I was star-struck because I knew and loved his cartoons in the Washington Post and Cul de Sac.  The signing line moved very slowly and being new to the bookselling business, I didn’t know whether that was normal, so I went up to take a look -- Richard was drawing everyone their favorite character. That's when I realized that having a bookstore was one of the coolest things ever - you have an excuse to reach out to people you admire and whose work you love and you get to meet them!

Richard has been an amazing supporter of the store, offering to sign books for customers and tracking down copies of the increasingly elusive Richard's Poor Almanac.  We can always tell when Richard has blogged or communicated about us being his local book store because we are inundated with emails and calls from around the world. His fans are many and devoted and will wait as long as it takes to get a signed copy of one of his books.  We have been the recipient of many emails of joy and gratitude when customers get their long desired book or when they want to tell Richard how much they love his work. It's humbling to be part of that.

This past Saturday, we were privileged (excited, honored, thrilled) to host an event to celebrate the release of The Art of Richard Thompson at the Arlington Central Library. Richard has a way of bringing people together and this event was no exception. Editors Nick Galifianakis, David Apatoff, Chris Sparks and Mike Rhode as well as Michael Cavna of The Washington Post were on hand to discuss Richard's work and the new book. The event started off with the warm and moving The Art of Richard Thompson documentary, created by one of Richard's neighbors, Andy Hemmendinger, president of GVI, along with Bob Burnett, GVI’s vice president and creative director. Read this great article by Mike Cavna about how Andy came to know Richard and hear from the editors of the book.

Panel discussions, Q&A, documentary - it was all wonderful and we could have used hours more, but the two best parts to me were:

• Extended standing ovation for Richard from people who know and love him whether they have met him personally or feel like old friends through his work. It started off as a quiet roar, but just grew and grew and no one wanted it to end.

• It felt like a reunion - old friends catching up, an abundance of cartoonists who contributed work to Team Cul de Sac, college friends, teachers, and neighbors. There was so much catching up going on that the library pretty much had to push us out the door (not pretty much -- they did have to push us out the doors) and the party continued on at Richard's house.  

It takes a special person to create such a wonderful circle of friends and fans. We're humbled and thrilled to be a little part of that circle.

Terry's on to something

As I read a review of Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at what You Do by Wallace J. Nichols, I thought of Terry on sabbatical this summer at her place on the water. While we greatly miss her presence at the store, I love that she stays true to herself and is the picture of peace and relaxation.

Nicola Joyce's review in the Washington Post highlighted aspects of Nichols' book that resonated with what I have long felt: "the sensory appeal of water, showing us how the sight, sound, feel, and even smell and taste of water affect us on an incredibly deep and raw level." "Nichols calls on neuroscience to explain the cognitive processes our minds go through in response to water, combining scientific language and examples with personal anecdotes and stories...It’s incredible to think that we can alter our brain’s positive neural pathways by increasing our exposure to happy experiences in, near or on water, but apparently it’s true."

Reading this review also reminded me that my decision to investigate opening a bookstore instead of continuing in consulting came while vacationing on Sanibel Island.

Perhaps I need to follow Terry's lead, head to the water, read and just be for a little while.

Still not enough...

time, money or book stands. A couple years ago, I said that you could never have enough money or book stands.  We're getting close on the book stands, so I will substitute in "time." I naively throught that after almost 4 years, things would have settled into more of a routine (probably more experienced book sellers are laughing right now).  Just as busy, just as broke as I was several years ago.  Busy with different things and many quite fun, but still feeling like there's never a break.

This is a year of decisions - the lease on our current location is up next year - as the Clash would say: should I stay or should I go?  Given that our rent will most likely increase, how much is too much? Could we start all over again somewhere else?  If you see me and I'm staring out into space, I could be thinking of these decisions or I might just be tired (either way, candy or a drink will bring me right back).

Things that go together

We really have a lot of fun when we see something and immediately think of a book to pair it with. We crack ourselves up over some of our combinations and then explain to others why they are so funny. Not sure if that makes us book nerds or just nerds.

Here are some of our latest combinations:

1) 

and Word Crimes by "Weird Al" Yankovic (listen - you'll love it).

2) Champion Killer Kolsch beer next to Lars Kepler or any of my Scandinavian thrillers favs (note the bloody hands shown on the beer can).

And finally 3)

Love the thoughtful use of taxidermed rodents. 

Not everyone appreciates this (almost) lost art form. 

(Terry and I came up with this one after last night's wine tasting)

You're too busy when...

...the book club is reading Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, death, and hope in a Mumbai undercity, the National Book Award winning book from Katherine Boo and you read The Siege: 68 Hours Inside the Taj Hotel by Cathy Scott-Clark and Adrian Levy.

Granted they are both non-fiction and take place in Mumbai, but seriously how could I confuse them? In my defense I was listening to the audiobook, so I didn't have the cover staring me in the face.  

On the other hand, I was writing about book club, reminding people about the discussion and patting myself on the back for actually reading a book club book. I did realize I read the wrong book about 1/2 before book club started, but seriously...

Stop...breathe...take your time...and try again.

The intersection of beer and books - sometimes it's a name, a region of the country/world and sometimes it's the image on a beer can.

As we were stocking our new beer the other day, we noticed red on one of the cans. When we looked it more closely we realized it was a person, kneeling down, with BLOOD on their hands (the beer was called Killer Kolsch from Champion Brewing Company in Charlottesville).

 Immediately, Lelia walked over to the mystery section and pulled out The Hypnotist by Lars Kepler - an instant display.  I think the cover gives you a good idea what type of book you're in for (my kind of book). Guess we'll have as much fun pairing beer with books as we have connecting our wines with favorite books.

If you've talked with me lately, you know that the verb "tinysizing" has become part of my vocabulary, inspired by The Big Tiny by Dee Williams. While Terry and I were selling Dee's book at Boneyard Studios here in DC and looking at tiny house plans, I saw one that would make a fantastic pop-up bookstore. Earlier today as I shared my tinysizing activities with a friend, I mentioned the pop-up bookstore idea and how it reminded me of my very first job - shelving books on a bookmobile.

I grew up in a new development and the only libraries were in school. During summer vacation, the only place to get books was during the weekly visit from the bookmobile. I still remember the thrill of all those books -- with new ones every week. I still want to be part of the unexpected surprises and wonders of books you didn't even know you wanted. (this is similar to the inside of the book mobile I worked on). Stay tuned to see where we go with this idea.

If it's January, it must be time for another blog post. That seems to be my routine.

This year, I'm fortunate to be visiting with my sister and her family in India. These first few days of my trip I've been struck by the universality of reading and books. It seems no matter who I talk with or where I'm at, books come up -- from the scientist sitting next to me on the plane who shared his favorite book (Phantoms in the Brain: Probing the Mysteries of the Human Mind by V. S. Ramachandran, Sandra Blakeslee and Oliver Sacks) and who was intrigued by my mention of The Violinist's Thumb: And Other Lost Tales of Love, War, and Genius, as Written by Our Genetic Code by Sam Kean --  -- to a gentleman on yesterday's flight from Udaipur to New Delhi toting his hardback copy of Coolidge by Amity Shlaes.

It's been fun visiting the numerous bookstores featuring some very familiar titles (often with unfamiliar covers) as well as titles that I've never seen and that reflect the specific interests and geography of where we're at.  I've given out business cards to co-workers of my sister and her family who are thrilled to know we're in Arlington and plan to stop by or tell their friends about us.

With the varied authors who've visited the store, the discussions with customers and staff and books I've been fortunate to read, I feel that there's something that can connect me to almost everyone I meet - whether in Arlington, VA or India. And that is one of the many superpowers of books.

We have been so busy with the store that we've neglected to actually post anything about it.  So much has happened and there have been so many things to share, but we're woefully behind.

Since I haven't posted anything, let me share some posts from Lelia, one of our amazing staff members. I could only hope to be so clever and interesting. All of Lelia's pieces appeared on The Huffington Post: the blog

Adventures of a First Time BEA Attendee- Lelia ventures into the insanity of BookExpo America
 Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo: Prepare to Be Seized by This Book
My Twelve-Year Love Affair With Survivor: Keeping the Excitement Alive After More Than a Decade Together - ok, it's not about a book, but fantastic

Top 10 Books Sold in September 2012:

1. Richard's Poor Almanac: 12 Months of Misinformation in Handy Cartoon Form by Richard Thompson
2. Call of Sedona: Journey of the Heart by Ilchi Lee
3. Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleberger
4. Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
5. Suffering Succotash: A Picky Eater's Quest to understand Why We Hate the Foods We Hate by Stephanie Lucianovic
6. Hemingway's Girl by Erika Robuck
7. Ten Girls to Watch by Charity Shumway
8. Drama by Raina Telgemeier
9. Telegraph Avenue: A Novel by Michael Chabon
10. Simple Thing by Kathleen McCleary

Our Top Books for March

Some favorites kept their place on their list while new ones were added.  I included a separate list for our events at the store since those dominate our top sales. 

Not surprisingly, the Hunger Games trilogy was strongly represented in our top sales.
** also a top seller February

Top Books Sold in March 2012 (non-event)

1.  Hunger Games**

2.  Catching Fire - Hunger Games Book 2

3.  Epic : The Story God Is Telling

4.  Tiger's Wife**

5.  Weird Sisters**

6.  Shadow Of The Wind

7.  House at Tyneford**

8.  F in Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers**

9.  Wife of the Gods

10.  Mockingjay - Hunger Games Book 3

11. Elegy for Eddie: A Maisie Dobbs Nove

12..  Pandemonium

13.  Oxford Picture Dictionary

14.  Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World

15.  Heroine's Bookshelf

                                                                                                                                              

Top Books Sold in March 2012 at Events

1. Taker

2. I Don't Want to Be a Pea

3. The Clutter Book : When You Can't Let Go

4.  The Story of Beautiful Girl

5.  Playing With Fire : Pakistan at War with Itself

6.  Greatest Show : Stories

7.  School of Night

8.  Emily and Carlo

9.  Born Wicked                    

10. Freddie Ramos Makes a Splash ( Zapato Power #04 )

11.  Abigail Adams               

12.  Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off (1)

13.  Right Here I See My Own Books

14.  The Girl Next Door

15.  Great Wall of Lucy Wu

I Am A Blog Cheater

Yes, that's pretty much true.  Much of what I post is straight information or reviews by friends. While I put my stamp on it, I don't put too much that's personal out there. 

A number of people have suggested I post about getting the store off the ground.  Before the store was open, I was too frustrated. The first year of the store, I was too crazed.  Now that we're moving into year 2, I'm still crazed, but know that it will continue that way for the foreseeable future, so here are some initial comments...

• Lost count of the number of people who've told me it's their dream to open a bookstore.
• Also lost count of the number of people (generally well-meaning) who wonder how a bookstore will make in the ebook/Amazon era.  (Please don't say this -- we're tired of hearing it)
• You meet the most amazing people in bookstores -- I've also lost count of how many people I've met that I so enjoy talking with -- who make me smile just by walking into the store.
• Humbled at least 10x a day when someone asks me about a book that I haven't read yet.
• Often in awe of my staff who are so friendly, knowledgeable and genuinely interested in people and books.
• Love listening to authors talk.
• Learned that Ron Charles is a rock star in our store.
• You will never have enough money or book stands.

Our Top Books for February

Our top 20 for February does not match the traditional top 20 and we're glad of that! Our customers have great taste.

1) F in Exams: The Very Best Totally Wrong Test Answers - laugh out loud funny
2) Weird Sisters - now out in paperback - one of our favorites!
3) Tiger's Wife
4) Fault in Our Stars - a store favorite

5) March
6) Hunger Games - are you reading for the movie???

7) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
8) Dead End in Norvelt
9) To Bless the Space Between Us : A Book of Blessings
10) Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey : The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle - all Downton Abbey books are flying off the shelve

11) Preacher - now out in paperback - love this book
12) Plan B : Further Thoughts on Faith
13) I'm Dirty! - a go-to picture book
14) Cartoon Guide to Calculus - surprise hit
15) Inside Out and Back Again
16) Monster's Ring : A Magic Shop Book
17) Cutting for Stone
18) Goodnight iPad
19) House at Tyneford
20) Warmth of Other Suns

2011 Favorites (that I wouldn't have found except for the store)

While everyone was putting together their 2011 favorites, mine kept getting shot down (Lelia) because most of them weren't released in 2011.  My point was, that I READ them in 2011.

As I wrote down books that I loved reading, it occurred to me that I would never have found these books or even heard about them (except for Just Kids) without seeing them in the store or hearing about them from publisher reps, co-workers and/or customers.

That, my friends, is the power of a bookstore.

So here's my "I read it in 2011 and loved it" list (in no specific order):

Just Kids by Patti Smith - title captures it perfectly: Patti Smith and Robert Malpplethorpe becoming true soul mates, living in near poverty, before they had any idea what creative directions their lives would take...they were just kids.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver - "Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing."  Love becomes illegal, something to be feared and avoided at all costs.  All the love poems and songs we know become examples of the dangerousness of love.

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher - this is a hard one to describe, but it's absolutely fantastic.  A strange "treasure" hunt traces the last days of a girl who...well, you'll have to read it. 

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins - Whenever I hear one of our staff (or me) describe it, I expect parents to run screaming from the store.  Dystopia, kids having to kill other kids, war, death...yup, parents do not want to buy books like that.  Too bad, this is fantastic and will keep you up reading all night long.

A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan - I resisted reading this because it won pretty much every award possible in 2010 and didn't need me to promote it.  Then I saw that it was about punk rock and included a powerpoint presentation (how do you work that into a book??).  Absolutely loved it, but not every one does. You must be zen while reading and not worry that you don't always know what's going on and who's talking.

International mysteries - I have always loved mysteries, but have learned about so many varied writers from all over the world from our customers or just seeing the books come in.  Just dipping my toe in, but have really enjoyed:  Camilla Lackberg (Sweden), James Thompson (Finland), Arnaldur Indridason (Iceland), Fred Vargas (France), Andrea Camilleri (Sicily), and more.  What I really love is talking with our customers about int'l mystery writers because they enjoy them as passionately as I do.

So there's my list - can't wait to see what comes into the store next!

Don't Kill the Birthday Girl (the title allow caught my attention)

When I saw this book, I knew immediately who would be first on the list to read it - my sister Teresa whose list of allergies seems to grow every month.  While all in my family are allergic to one thing or another, Teresa is at a whole different level and handles it with grace, much (it sounds) like Sandra Beasley.
...btw, the chocolate-pumpkin “cheesefake”at Thanksgiving was good.

Having celebrated my own birthday a little over a month ago (and enduring over 30 food allergies and sensitivities), I had to read poet Sandra Beasley’s autobiography, Don’t Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from and Allergic Life. Birthdays can be difficult when you can’t eat dairy, eggs, and soy and when you start throwing in beef, shrimp, pine nuts, cucumbers, cantaloupe, honeydew, mango, macadamia, pistachios, cashews, swordfish, and mustard, day-to-day living can be a tightrope. Sandra tackles the subject with a “that’s life” attitude, detailing serious allergic reactions that derailed family plans, adventures in eating out with friends, and the various food substitutions her mother tried over the years.  

I can relate to the experience of going somewhere and having to quiz the parent, friend, waiter, hostess, chef, cook, etc. with the eternal questions, “what’s that and what’s in it?” We follow her through childhood (she was initially diagnosed when she was a toddler), high school, college, and up to her current professional life. Along the way, she learned what happens when you aren’t careful at parties or special events (e.g., a wedding in Italy); what treatments and allergy medications have (or have not) worked and the “Russian Roulette” attitude that many have towards their allergies and treatments (e.g., what happens if you take six Benadryl at a time); how the restaurant industry avoided dealing with but is beginning to accept (sort of) their allergic customers; how to be a food critic and provide a credible restaurant review, and how the patience, understanding, and helpfulness of her circle of family and friends have helped her survive. When she takes a cooking class with her boyfriend, she gets a messy crash course in navigating her way through a recipe and in being able to find people that can live with her allergies, too.

While much of the book focuses on her allergy-afflicted adventures, Sandra also discusses her education about allergies – what they are, what causes them, how they have been and are currently being treated, why people with the same diagnosis have different reactions (or seemingly none at all), and what is the future of testing, diagnosis, and treatment. She reads about clinical trials, talks with parents of newly diagnosed children, and attends industry conferences to find out what’s new on the allergy front and what is actually working. And she, like me, has discovered that living with allergies endows you with an obsessive-compulsive need to stay in control and an opportunity to keep discovering what’s important in life. After all, would you ever try to learn how to make gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, and soy-free chocolate-pumpkin “cheesefake”? (I’m made it for Thanksgiving – ask Eileen how it was.)