Blue Willow Bookshop

  

When I wrote you last, it was below freezing and I was wrapped with Dodger into my UT Snuggie. Now, we are keeping the door open for the pleasant breezes and yes, it's hard to believe, putting the air conditioning on during our author events. This is why we love Houston--our mild winters with just enough cold to keep our fireplace.
 
The phone has not stopped ringing with bookings for some of the best author visits we've ever had the chance to share with you.  Our newest series is "Life Changers" with two of the popular speakers/bloggers/authors in the country: Gretchen Rubin, author of THE HAPPINESS PROJECT and Kelly Corrigan, author of THE MIDDLE PLACE. Come hear Lisa See, Chris Cleave (author of one of my top 2009 books), Elizabeth Berg, and Jenna Blum. Bring the little ones for Mo Willems and Mary Pope Osborne. How can such a little shop around the corner host all of this? -- a staff of dedicated booklovers for whom I am very grateful.
 
We are honored to have been nominated for the Lucille Pannell Award, which recognizes retail bookstores that excel at inspiring the interest of young people in books and reading. Two bookstores—one general and one children’s specialty store—will receive the award at BookExpoAmerica in New York in June. We have been asked to compile a packet that would explain our efforts. If you would like to contribute a nice thought or two, please send it to me.
 
For book recommendations, stop in. Fans of HELP, we want to introduce you to THE POSTMISTRESS in February, and fans of GUERNSEY, meet MAJOR PETTIGREW'S  LAST STAND in March. And this week, SECRET LIFE OF BEES fans, please pick up SAVING CEECEE HONEYCUTT. 
 
The Tough Broads Book Club is going to review Lewis Hyde's THE GIFT this week. It's a fascinating look at gift giving and the gift of creativity. Blue Willow Bookshop is our gift to you, our friends.
 
Let's talk about books,

 

Valerie