What I Bought on My Book Tour, or How To Support The Home Team

Here is my philosophy about reading at bookstores, especially ones in faraway locales.

1. Buy a book. Independent bookstores need support, and after all, they are supporting you by allowing you use of their space/time/audience. The best way you can show them your love is to buy (at least) a book. And then tell all your friends in the area how indispensable they are, because it's the truth.

2. Write a thank you note. This is so basic, but goes DOUBLE if they have baked for you. Saying thank you (in print, via the actual postal service) is the least you can do. Booksellers work really hard, and deserve your finest stationery.

Here's a picture of the books I bought this week:

I bought Courtney Sullivan's Maine and the British edition of Jonathan Lethem's Chronic City at the Brookline Booksmith, Lily King's Father of the Rain and Kate Christensen's The Astral at RiverRun Bookstore, and William Lychack's The Architect of Flowers and Paolo Giordano's The Solitude of Prime Numbers at Longfellow Books. Can't wait to read them.

Yours, with gratitude,

Emma