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.

books, books and more books

a veritable book orgy - so much as to be somewhat overwhelming. I just left the New Atlantic Independent Bookseller Association (NAIBA) Fall Conference. Besides helpful information, contacts and wonderful, generous spirit of the independent bookstore owners, I come home with piles of books. It's lovely!

I do feel a little selfish, so if any of my friends would like to read some wonderful new books, let me know. All I ask is that you give me a thumbs up/thumbs down on the book as many of these are soon to be released new books.

More specifics on the book bounty later...

Top 10 Indie Mysteries

Shocking! A post that actually mentions books.

Check out a new (to you) author from this top 10 list of mystery books from the American Booksellers Association based on sales at independent bookstores throughout the U.S.

1. Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear
2. The Private Patient by P.D. James (I read her stuff!)
3. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
4. Lush Life by Richard Price
5. T Is for Trespass by Sue Grafton (hers too)
6. Chasing Darkness by Robert Crais
7. Stranger in Paradise by Robert B. Parker
8. The Serpent's Tale by Ariana Franklin
9. Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
10. The Miracle at Speedy Motors by Alexander McCall Smith

And these are ones I thought had great titles:
11. An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear
14. Dog on It by Spencer Quinn
15. August Heat by Andrea Camilleri
16. Promises in Death by J.D. Robb
22. Bookmarked for Death by Lorna Barrett
24. The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark
25. The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry

Back home and let's get started!

You know you've got it bad when you get excited about discussions on inventory management systems. That's when I knew I was hopelessly hooked on the new bookstore.

After an intensive cram course on everything you need to open your bookstore, I'm ready to wrap up this business plan and GET SOME $$$$.

BTW, a bookstore perk - you make little money, but get LOTS of free books!

Amelia Island is a cute historic town with no chain anything that I could see. There were some awesome artists and I did buy 2 things before my bookstore poverty sets in.

I was particularly drawn back to a gallery on Ash Street with Carol Winner and Christina Long.

Dedicated or Delusional?

Starting a new business is this environment is not the smartest thing to do, but if you continue to persevere in trying to make it happen, does that make you dedicated or delusional?

I've been working on opening my own business - a bookstore- and am realizing how much I DON'T know and also how much $$ it will take. But instead of being worried, the more I get into it, the more excited I am. To be able to do something you've wanted to do for a long time - it feels wonderful.

Maybe I won't have my house or savings in a few years, but at least I'm giving it a shot (so this is where maybe I'm delusional or reckless). I'm doing it anyway.

Paperback Dreams, the documentary

Paperback Dreams
In Fall 2008, Vertigo Books in College Park MD presented the PBS documentary - PAPERBACK DREAMS. The film follows the challenges of independent bookstores by looking at Andy Ross, owner of Cody’s Books, and Clark Kepler, owner of Kepler’s Books. Check the website for airtimes on PBS or screenings. Hopefully it will come around again as all the dates on the website are for 2008.