Book Sense Best Books: 125 Favorite Books Recommended by Independent Booksellers
forward by Barbara Kingsolver
introduction by Avin Mark Domnitz
edited by Mark Nichols
compiled by Book Sense
List Price: $12.95
Pages: 96
Format: Paperback
Genre: Reference
ISBN: 1557046433
Publisher: Newmarket Press
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While chains like Barnes & Noble and Borders have sprung up in every city and neighborhood in America, many readers prefer the comfortable ambience, hometown feel and familiar faces of smaller independent bookstores. With the massive explosion of book superstores in the 1980s and 1990s, Book Sense was founded as a trade organization to advocate for the independently run bookstore. These booksellers have championed many titles to their patrons and along the way turned them into bestsellers. They also are legendary for taking titles and introducing them to book clubs and making them book club favorites.
Five years later, the organization celebrates its anniversary with the publication of Book Sense Best Books: 125 Favorite Books Recommended by Independent Booksellers. Over 1,000 independent stores voted on 375 children's and adult books they most enjoyed hand-selling, and its fifteen top picks for adults and ten for children are featured in this compilation, along with fifty top reading group recommendations selected by theme. Each title is accompanied by thoughtful, enthusiastic comments made by experienced booksellers, sharing their opinions and suggestions as they would to their regular customers.
This easy reference also includes an appendix listing of Book Sense's "Top Ten" ranked books from the last five years, as well as a touching forward by author Barbara Kingsolver on her favorite independent bookstore (which sadly has closed), her "guardian angels" behind the counter, and the impact that the store (and others like it) has had on her career.
In the introduction to Book Sense Best Books, American Booksellers Association CEO Avin Mark Domnitz writes, "Independent booksellers have always had a deep appreciation for . . . the 'soul of the book,' " and that is exactly what is captured in this guide for must-read titles. Chock full of recommendations based on quality rather than sales numbers, reading groups no longer have to search for future books to discuss; they now have over 350 selections at their fingertips.
--- Reviewed by Marisa Emralino
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