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