That’s what they call it, when a book is ordered in higher numbers (or ordered at all) than what the Inventory Gods of corporate decide should be sent to all stores in a given market. Now– we’re in the Boston area market, which is a Major Market to just about beat all besides New York City. I mean, people in Boston READ. Read like mad things, I tell you. The subway is chock full of people with NYTs and New Yorkers and books featured on something besides Oprah. (We have an “as heard on NPR” table. It’s bigger than the Oprah’s book club table. Bigger like WHOA.)
So… our Local Store Listing list is LONG and very, very nerdy, full of nonfiction and experimental fiction and stuff that will never make it onto the bestsellers’ lists but may well have been in the English papers. And while Dan Brown, he of “Da Vinci Code” “fame” had a new book out, and yes, we sold it hand over fist, including the ABRIDGED Audiobook (I swear, I don’t even want to know how you decide to edit that stuff, I mean, what’s left? Somebody saying “the” sonorously and yet imbued with portent and kinky catholicism over and over?) and so many hardcovers that it was someone’s job for most of the week to check the display every hour to make sure there were enough, that was NOT the week’s big volume seller.
Nope. Ted Kennedy’s memoir. And granted, it’s Boston, but yeah. Ted Kennedy outsold Dan Brown the first week a new Dan Brown book was out.
I’m going to like this store and these customers. Mostly. I do have a few “can you believe that?!?” stories already, but I’m saving them up for a day when I’m bored. LOLs will ensue, I can promise you that.
(Also, can I tell you how nice it is to be let alone to read your book at lunch? Because these people, they understand the solace that a half-hour, a good book, some leftovers and thou can be. Now, if I can just find a way to blog on my breaks…)
I’m so happy for you, BLC. Sounds like a positive place to be.
.-= saviabella´s last blog ..Ortho-don’t-ist =-.
I’m happy for you Erika, and more than a little envious. I can’t wait to hear some of your stories, I await the much needed lols.
Robert
That’s awesome. Can you blog from your iPhone or Crackberry?
.-= CTJen´s last blog ..And There =-.
I may be a Bostonian at heart.
.-= Jenn @ Juggling Life´s last blog ..A Sign of the Apocalypse =-.
So glad things seem to be going well for you. I’m sure you are happy to be surrounded by works of literature (well most of it is literature) and people who love it like you do. I’m really happy for you and hope that it continues to be an enjoyable experience for you. Keep us all updated.
It sounds like fun. How nice for you!
.-= magpie´s last blog ..Executive Chef =-.
There are always those who want to interrupt your reading–I’ve even been bothered once or twice in a library lunchroom/breakroom! *eye roll* Can you take a book from the shelves and read it on break? I may have to rethink this “no retail” idea if so…
(I’m a little curious to know how An Echo in the Bone (Gabaldon) compares to Dan Brown’s latest, though)
I’ve been reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.…quite an interesting take and geared towards my tastes
“Hi, I just saw this movie, and there was this book, and it was blue. Do you have it?” If you haven’t had this already, just wait. Oh, and the creepy old guy in Children’s? Watch his hands. Just sayin’.
.-= bipolarbear´s last blog ..Tenterhooks. I am on them. =-.