Ann Patchett Opens Indie Bookstore

Patrik Ward/Parnassus Books

Another great indie stop for Shop Small Saturday! Oh, how I wish I lived closer to Nashville...

Bestselling author Ann Patchett has opened an indie bookstore in Nashville. In an interview with NPR's Melissa Block, she says she considers Parnassus Books her gift to the city. Of the name, Patchett says, "is that mountain in Greece where literature and music and poetry were born. We are the Athens of the South here in Nashville - we have a full-size replica of the Parthenon. And so we wanted to part of that great tradition of our city."

She co-owns the shop with publishing veteran Karen Hayes, whom she credits with doing the back-breaking work.Patchett says she brought the money and her fame to the endeavor; Hayes brought her knowledge of the business. Hayes brings her experience as a Random House sales rep and work with the wholesaler Ingram Book Company.

While on her book tour for State of Wonder, released this past summer, she was garnering advice from bookstore owners all across the country. She says the best advice she got was to put the children's section in the farthest back corner of the store, so if the kids run away and make a break for it, you have plenty of time to catch them before they get out the front door. Other advice she received was to hang signs from the ceiling, and customers will buy whatever is advertised on them. She was advised to make her store comforting and inclusive, smart but not snobby.

Here's her interview on CBS's the early show:

Parnassus Books

3900 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 14

Nashville, TN  37215

615-953-2243 

Monday-Saturday 10:00 - 8:00

Sunday 12:00 - 5:00

Have a fantastic weekend. 

Talk to you soon,

Angela

Shop Indie This Saturday

This Saturday marks the 2nd annual Small Business Saturday sponsored by American Express. AmEx wants to help you make a difference. They are offering a one-time $25 statement credit when you register an eligible American Express card and use that card for a purchase of $25 or more at a small business on November 26th.

Small Business Saturday is a day to support small business owners, help fuel the economy, and invigorate communities across the country.  In an open letter, President Obama sent a message of his support of this economy-boosting initiative:

“From the mom-and-pop storefront shops that anchor Main Street to the high-tech startups that keep America on the cutting edge, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our Nation’s promise,”  Obama wrote. “Through events such as Small Business Saturday, we keep our local economies strong and help maintain an American economy that can compete and win in the 21^st century.”

“When small businesses do well, communities flourish and our economy grows,” he said. “America was built on the hard work and creativity of our people. On this occasion, we reaffirm our support for America’s small business owners and their staff, and we celebrate the proud tradition of entrepreneurship they represent.”

Check out IndieBound to find bookstores and other independent retailers near you.

Books. Gifts that will be opened again and again.

Happy reading,
Angela