Customer Types

Many people from all walks of life visit bookstores for many different reasons. In a small town bookstore it is easy to identify the different types that walk through the doors.

We have those in a hurry. They walk in, grab or order what they want and walk out.

Others have no idea what they want, but feel fortunate to have an independent bookseller to help them. These are the customers who are frantic because Sally’s birthday is tomorrow and they haven’t found a gift yet. Luckily, I know immediately from other visits who Sally is, how old she will be and what books she has enjoyed in the past year.

The browsers have yet to realize there is a difference between a library and a bookstore. They plop down in a chair with a stack of books and learn how to bake a pie or build a deck or decorate their house all while sitting in the bookstore. One such patron finished Breaking Dawn in its entirety the week it was released. Every day this high school student would sit in the back and read until we closed. Her friends would call and she would say “Can’t hang out today. I’m at the bookstore. Have you read the Twilight series?” She never bought the book, but I can’t pay for that kind of marketing!

Finally there are the chatters. They stop in every week or every month just to chat. They have never made a purchase and probably never will, but they have to be on top of whatever is happening in town. They stand by the counter or follow me from shelf to shelf complaining about life, their health, the government. They believe if no one is waiting to be checked out I have absolutely nothing to do, so they deserve my undivided attention.

I had one such customer, if they can be called customers, yesterday. Unlike most, this one is only in first grade. He has been coming in to visit since the day I opened over four years ago. By himself! It gives him something to do while his mom is in the bar across the street (parents, be careful what you tell your kids – they will most likely share the information).

In our usual routine he wandered the front of the store chatting away while I nod and say “really” and “hmm” in the appropriate places. Suddenly by the tone of his voice I realized something was different. He was no longer telling me about his day, he was sounding out book covers. This little boy was reading!! He was excited to show off his newly acquired skill, even though he “still likes football more than reading”.

Easy fix. I took him to the children’s section and showed him books about football. There is a book about Brett Favre? He LOVES Brett Favre!! Too many words, though. The Clifford early reader was perfect. We sat at the children’s table as he sounded out each word, using the pictures as his guide. I couldn't come up with a single task more important than that moment. Soon he read the entire book! He promised to return today to read me another story. Maybe as an incentive I will let him keep the Brett Favre book as soon as he is able to read it on his own. No one else in Wisconsin would be interested in it anyway.

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, the inventory is complete, in another week or two I should have everything completed that I didn’t have time to touch over the past two months. Whew! Soon I will be able to get back to what I love most, reading! Not that I ever stopped completely. I don’t think that’s possible. Reading is like breathing to me. I feel like I haven’t gotten through nearly as many books as I hoped by year’s end, but I have great expectations for this year!

I did manage to complete two young adult novels which did not disappoint. If you are as big a fan of Ellen Hopkins as I am, you probably finished Tricks months ago. What did you think? She never disappoints, does she? She isn’t afraid to tackle the tough subjects and she doesn’t tiptoe around the real issues. Her writing style is brilliant and amazes me with each and every addition. How can I possibly wait until September for the final chapter in the Crank trilogy??

The other new series I discovered is the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Have you read it? Oh, you must!! I couldn’t put it down! I’m looking forward to finding out what happens next with Catching Fire.

Many of our local favorites published new books recently, too. Victoria Houston joined us for her annual visit last month with the tenth, but thankfully not the last, book in the Loon Lake Mystery Series, Dead Renegade. Nelda Johnson Liebig completed the fourth book in the Carrie series, Carrie and the Homestead, and was generous enough to sign a few copies for us. Unfortunately she will be moving on to other adventures so this is the last planned for this series. Torture at the Back Forty is still a best seller and another true crime with local ties, The Monfils Conspiracy has been getting a lot of press.

Lately I have been reading a few intriguing titles to be released next month. Sorry, you will have to wait for my opinions on those.

What about you?

Have you read anything exciting over the holidays or that you are looking forward to now that things have quieted down?

A Holiday Message

We are here for you, but. . .

The holiday season is here and although we will do whatever we can to make sure your visit with us is pleasurable, there are a couple of dos and don’ts you should be aware of if you will be visiting us this season.

1. Please do not request a Barnes & Noble gift certificate.

Depending on our mood when waiting on you, we may politely offer you a gift certificate to our store or we may print off a homemade certificate to our competitor and let them explain why they won’t accept it.
2. Do not ask us to go on Amazon and order a book for you so you do not have to enter your credit card number online.

We would be happy to find the same title at one of our reputable out of print book dealers.
3. If you are interested in a book that went out of print in 1941, do not demand that we sell it to you for the cover price of a quarter even though it is now valued at $150.00.
4. Even if you have written and self published the only book your grandma ever read, (although she won’t even pay the $25 cover price on your paperback), do not email us the week before Thanksgiving demanding a book signing before Christmas.

Likewise, do not request a table in the store for you to sell copies yourself to your friends and family.
5. We apologize, but if you order a book on Christmas Eve, chances are you will not have it under the tree Christmas morning.

The week before shouldn’t be a problem.

Unless, like last year, the entire state is snowed in and your order is stranded in a city three hours away until UPS finally is able to deliver it to our home at 6pm on Christmas Eve.

If that were to happen again, we may not be able to deliver it to your door until 7pm.
6. If your son is in jail, we would be happy to mail him the books you purchase here depending on the rules of the jail.

Unfortunately, we can not mail out books you brought from home even if you did “tuck a little something in the pages” for him.
7. I realize you may be looking for a way to save; however we do not accept used books for store credit during the holiday season.

Any other month of the year we still will not give you $2 credit for a paperback with a $0.25 rummage sale price tag still on it.
8. If you purchase new children or young adult books to donate for the Christmas Toy program, we will be happy to give you a discount.

You may bring in new books purchased elsewhere, but we will not pay you a percent of the cover price.

I like to think of myself as a creative person. But not even I can make some of these up. Each of them is a real scenario from the past four years. If you recognize yourself in one, thank you for the chuckle!

Hunting Widow Special

The gun deer season begins this weekend and I know may of you plan on hunkering down in your deer stands and reading Sarah Palin's new book. Are you as excited about it as these folks? The reaction of the kids at the end is priceless!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Excitement Over Sarah Palin's Book Release
http://www.thedailyshow.com/
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

If you prefer a little light reading for the weekend, we are having a Hunting Widow Special. Today and tomorrow only all used romance novels are only $1.00! While your hubby is trying to bag a buck you can save many! Of course, trade credit will not be accepted, but seriously, only a dollar book? How often do you find a deal like that?

Saturday is the day to visit your local independent bookstore for America Unchained. How much of your spending can you do with only locally owned independent businesses that day? Bring in your receipts, receive a discount at BayShore Books and help your community at the same time. While you are here, pick up a new book for NEWCAP's Christmas Toy Program and save even more. Can you think of a more perfect way to spend your weekend?

Role of an Independent Bookstore

This week the area’s park and recreation director and I have been discussing how we can team up to offer more programs in the community. In a community of this size, this is no easy feat. Businesses and organizations need to work together, not compete against one another. We do not want to offer more book clubs or story times that may draw away from the great programs the library offers. Card parties or bingo nights may be enjoyable, but how many of the area’s churches already implement these ideas? Does it even make sense for us to work together? What role does an independent bookstore play in a community?

Praveen Madan and Christin Evans addressed this question in The Huffington Post article titled Why All the Fuss About “Independent” Bookstores? In the article they explain how independent bookstores are in the business of building a community. “You can buy a book anywhere, but you can’t buy community. If you want community, you have to become part of one.”

Our goal is to be this community’s gathering place - the perfect place for sharing ideas and organizing activities. So, yes, it does make sense to team up with the park and rec, or any other local organization with the same goals including libraries, schools, and non-profit organizations. You may have supported one of these organizations by attending one of our fundraisers or maybe you have donated a book here for NEWCAP’s Christmas Toy Program . These events are so important to us as a way to give back to the community that has given us so much.

Now the question remains, how can we team up with the park and rec? What new classes or services would you like to see? Do you have a special talent, whether it’s a foreign language, knitting, dance, or music that you would be willing to share? Together we can bring this community together and support one another. Isn’t that what the holiday season is about?

Perfect Partnership

In January, Borders will be closing 200 Waldenbooks, including the one located in Bay Park Square Mall in Green Bay. Luckily, there are still great independent bookstores located in and around the area. If you aren’t sure where your closest independent bookstore is located, this IndieBound link can help.

Tomorrow would be the perfect time to discover these local treasures during National Bookstore Day. There is a list of participating stores listed by state, but here at BayShore Books LLC we are offering a discount on purchases as well as a chance to win a book bag filled with best selling titles.

If you are looking for some great book choices, check out Buy Books for the Holidays. They offer great ideas throughout the season, including this list of mystery authors you may like.

Better yet, while in your favorite independent, find the Indie Best Seller Lists which will be prominently displayed. Four of these lists will be published by NPR beginning on November 13th. The book info pages on IndieBound now feature audio content from NPR's book coverage.

Perfect partnership!