Connie Brooks and I are always scheming of ways to make Battenkill Books – the world’s best little bookstore – even better. As some of you know, I’ve been doing weekly book reviews and asking people to buy the books if they can at Battenkill Books. This is part of my new job as Recommender-In-Chief at Battenkill. The job involves going to the bookstore on Saturdays, meeting people and checking the inventory, browsing the Web for news of good new books and reviewing them. Lots of people – thank you much – are reading the reviews and calling Connie 518-677-2515 or e-mailing her – [email protected] – or visiting the stores website (they take Paypal and ship anywhere in the world.) So you can buy local from anywhere, support a great independent bookstore in exchange for the reviews and great personal service from the store.

Connie has decided to offer some incentives for people who buy books through this reviewing program. She will decide. Sometimes it will be notecards, sometimes free galleys, sometimes discounts. This is up to her, not me. I will keep the reviews coming, from my e-mail and social media responses, people are reading them and liking the books. My next book to be reviewed will be “Vampires In The Lemon Grove” by Karen Russell. The previous book reviewed – this was a wonderful book – was “Wise Men: By Stuart Nadler. People called or e-mail from all over the country to buy it from Battenkill so this job, my first in 30 years, might work out. Connie can order it for you (518 677-2515) or you can buy it through your independent local bookstore. If you have an e-book reader, no need to apologize. I have one too.

It is fascinating to see that a great independent local bookstore can use some of the new technological tools to become a bigger bookstore and offer services a large chain or online bookseller can’t possibly match. When I review books, I’ll also be able to announce what the special offer will be for books to be purchased through Battenkill. Thanks for helping with this experiment. Individuality and personal connection live in the Corporate Nation. You can also call to get my recommendations in person on Saturdays from 11 to 2 p.m. 518 677-2515. Connie is not into charity or Amazon-bashing.  Everybody has a right to choose their own path, and books and reading are both thriving. You will get amazing service and a good book to read, save or give to a friend.