December 22, 2007

As a special holiday treat, we’d like to share with you a video clip prepared by local documentary-filmmakers Alex Beckstead and Joelle Jaffe at our recent rib-tickling, tummy-filling event for The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming, A Christmas Story. Warning: Daniel Handler, representative for Lemony Snicket, and illustrator Lisa Brown appear in conversation; you may find their remarks, whether verbatim or implied, to be not funny and certainly offensive (please forward all complaints to nobother@booksmith.com).

And now on to this past year’s chronicles…
As is customary at this time of year, we at The Booksmith are reflecting on the many exciting, nail-biting, and momentous occurrences of the past year. Of course the big news was that Christin and Praveen purchased The Booksmith from founder Gary Frank in June. They continue, as we all do, to be passionate about keeping this great neighborhood institution humming. In the days ahead they have plans to build on its foundation to create the Independent Bookstore for the 21st century.

In summary, here are the highlights of the past year and a glimpse to the year ahead:

• We continue to have a great line-up of author appearances. In just the past few months we hosted Lawrence Ferlinghetti, William Gibson, Ann Packer, and Frank Warren at the Booksmith. Poet Laureate Robert Hass will join us for a rescheduled appearance on January 22.
• We are strengthening our community programs. Recent forays took us to the Heart of Cole festival with a line-up of nine local women authors, and a successful literary fair with Grattan Elementary (The Booksmith was able to donate 20% of sales to the school). We've also been refining our Children's Story Hour and will resume it in the new year.
• You’ll still see familiar faces when you come in as many of the long-term staff of The Booksmith have stayed on. In addition, we are expanding our team to create the best literary experiences for you. Recent hires include the new Booksmith manager, Paula Foley (also a Cole Valley resident) lately from Book Passage’s Ferry Building store, and Kiara Brinkman (local author and rising literary star).
• Since we know so many of you are night owls, we expanded our store hours : Mon-Sat 10am-10pm, and Sun 10am-8pm.
• We started an online literary community to bring together people who love books and independent bookstores: you can join us at www.LitMinds.org to meet readers and authors from around the world, read interviews with literary innovators, and discover other great independent bookstores.

We’ve only just begun… and we invite you to join us in the adventures ahead!

Happy Holidays and a Terrific New Year!