John – Page 6 – Lemuria Books

Author: John (Page 6 of 19)

Reading that sets off your alarm clock

On September 15, 2011

In my life, I’ve used reading as a way to change myself, and sometimes influence my loved ones, my friends and my community. My goal since the age of 24 is to give my place, Jackson, the very best bookstore that I could figure out how to operate. Reading Chuck Palahniuk has caused my present efforts to grow even more ambitious.

Reading adds to our actual life experience by giving us a safe place to dig into our own psyches. Through Chuck’s characters we witness aspects of life without having to experience them, experiences we wouldn’t even want to have. I believe a Chuck Palahniuk reading experience can remind us how much control we do have over our own life plots and how much of our lives just happen to us.

In the Hell presented in Chuck’s Damned, we view from the outside what many of us fear the most: death and coming to terms with our wrongful actions and life mistakes. Maddy, a thirteen-year-old-girl in Hell, becomes his source of inspiration, a muse for the reader to view Hell with a sense of humor.

Damned gives a reason to laugh at what scares us the most, and perhaps the biggest fear for us all is to be damned to Hell. Could Chuck’s Hell be our motivator to wake up, to cut through our malaise and angst? Chuck challenges us to have less fear of the unknown and live life boldly, allowing us to have more impact on the world we do live in.

With characters who make unbelievably poor choices that border on the absurd, Chuck demands our attention. Is he perhaps creating moments of chaos for us to become emotionally challenged? As our closet lights begins to come on, and our past experiences flash by, a moment of realization occurs. I’m not sure how Chuck’s writing causes our doors of perception to open, but it does.

Some Jacksonians may wonder why Lemuria, with our gang of supporters, are throwing a Damned Book Night of Sin. Well, Wake Up! It’s all in fun with exaggeration, at least as much as we can figure out how to provide. We encourage all who want to join in our 36-year “alarm clock celebration” to participate. All over 21 are welcome to step out there. Step over your own line in the sand if you want to. It’s cool by us. By exploring Chuck we are challenging ourselves and our community to address uncomfortable issues and create change.

Damned goes on sale October 18th. “The Damned Book Night” starts at 5:30 on Thursday, October 20th at Hal & Mals. Click here for details.

JX///RX

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Katie’s not gonna bar the door! and how all this Damned stuff came about

By John

On August 26, 2011

In Staff Blog

Ya’ll may wonder how all of this Damned stuff came about. For those who care, I will try to tell a story.

Chuck Palahniuk Tell-All Event at The Great Hall at Cooper Union, NY

Around 15 years ago, my old, often referenced book-selling pal, Tom, who was then selling books in Eugene, Oregon, contacted me about Chuck Palahniuk. With excitement he said, “This guy Palahniuk is the real deal, he gets it and it’s on edge. Furthermore, he’s a nice guy, even a great guy.” Tom and I have shared wisdoms about books and writers for so long and so honestly that I heard him ring the bell to pause and listen.

Around five years ago, my almost adopted, loved-one, Zita, of whom I am so very fond of, started selling books at Lemuria. Her youthful rebel self was an avid Chuck fan and has always cringed with glee as his new titles landed at Lemuria. There is something about youthful bookselling vigor for an author that’s real and tangible, that always catches an old bookseller’s notice. While Zita learned bookseller skills and developed our First Editions Club, she always got bubbly when Chuck’s books came up in conversation. And proudly to bring all this together, we have selected Damned as one of our First Editions Club picks.

So needless to say, last Spring when we learned that Chuck’s Damned book tour was coming to Jackson, causing Zita’s feet to leap six feet off the floor, things got damned exciting around here.

A short time later in New York City, I found myself at a Random House cocktail party where Chuck was an honoree. In the back shadows visiting with others was Chuck, so I approached to thank him for coming to Lemuria. But even more importantly, I wanted to share Zita’s young bookseller love and admiration for his books, and he agreed to graciously inscribe a Damned book for her.

While signing Zita’s book, Chuck hit me with a “Fight Club” punch question:

“When I come to Lemuria, what can’t I do?”

Never having been asked such a thing before, I paused and thought for a moment.

My answer: “I don’t care, whatever you want to do. I’m cool with it all. It sounds like fun.”

Chuck said, “Really?” with a direct gaze.

I said, “Yeah, I own the joint, anything goes.”

On the trip home and the next while, I concluded: Well, if he can do anything, why can’t I? My desires began kickin’, and along with my co-conspirators, we agreed to wake up Jackson in “Chuck” style all the way.

“Hell Cat” concoctions are being brewed. Art is being conceived. Food is stewing to fire you up. Musicians are honing their chops and “bingos” are already being shouted. Pre-Halloween costumes of Chuck’s fantasies (or yours) are being planned to welcome Chuck to Jackson. Hal & Mal’s get ready cause here we come!

We don’t know what’s all comin’ down, but you have three months to get ready. “Katie bar the door!” unless you wanna get loose. Join us because we are proud to bring Zita’s cool guy to Jackson to rock Hal & Mal’s on October 20th, a very special Lemuria day.

Our first blog all about Chuck’s Damned Book Night, October 20th

Zita’s t-shirt blog: Get the shirt for the event!

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Time for Mississippi Blues

By John

On August 12, 2011

In Blues

11-02 5/14 Jackson Book, CBS Alabama etc.

Roger Stolle talking about his book and the state of Mississippi blues, May 2011. (Photo: Lou Bopp)

Roger’s concise to the point Hidden History of Mississippi Blues is condensed in a way that’s appealing to the blues fan and the novice. Interesting facts presented with Lou Bopp‘s fine photos are just enough for this little book. Most importantly Roger’s interviews with current Delta Blues musicians prove that this art form isn’t dying but thriving.

More living proof exists in Clarksdale this weekend when the crossroads celebrates the 24th Sunflower Blues Festival. It’s a favorite I try to make every year. Performers from Roger’s book will be playing as you can get authentic in the Delta heat. Porchin’ at Ground Zero, sweatin’ in Red’s (we will miss Big Jack) and attendin’ Cathead’s Mini Fest on Sunday are all treats. I always learn about some new music makers on Sunflower weekends.

Johnny Rawls, Sunflower Blues Fest

Get your folding chairs and head up to Clarksdale. It will be hot so plan on a cool beverage and street grilled meat, smoking over sidewalk blues.

Read Roger’s book, check out blues markers (MS Blues Trail) and hear the real stuff that’s alive today. Roger’s Cathead Music Store and Shelly’s Delta Blues Museum are Mississippi institutions.

For those who don’t know yet, our Pal Roger is working on a new DVD about saving the Juke Joint experience called We Juke Up in Here! Surely a great effort to support. Check out his project here and see if you want to join in and help with his efforts.

M for Mississippi DVDs and CDs are excellent examples if you want to know about his work first hand.

Calling all Hemingway Fans!

By John

On August 3, 2011

In Staff Blog

About three years after I opened and moved Lemuria to Highland Village, a large strange man came to check out my collection of books for sale.

My memory tells me he wore a navy blue suit, he walked around a bit, scoped the layout of my store, and then parked his assertive self in front of the Nobel Prize winners bookcase.

He looked at the desk where Tom, Val and myself were learning the book business and blared out to all ears: “I guess you guys like Hemingway.” We said, “Yeah!” and from there my enduring friendship with J.C. Simmons grew. Soon his buddy, another Papa crony, showed up to check out the joint, and that was when I met Ed.

Over my lifetime of bookselling, I’ve had the good fortune to meet many wonderful bibliophiles (Good Doc “T” Rest in Peace) but none have embarked on a journey like my ole pal Ed Grissom. After a lifetime of learning all about Ernest Hemingway, Ed launched into the ultimate “Papa” project of which this extraordinary book is the result.

I encourage all Hemingway fans, on any level, to stop over this Thursday at 5:00 to visit with and talk to Ed about his fascinating journey of bookselling and the oddities he encountered. I’m told some of the “rarest of the rare” Hemingway books will be shown and explained.

Remarkably, Ed’s passion came to fruition. It’s not everyday that in pursuit of your wildest dreams that there actually awaits that cup of gold. And for Ed his cup is filled with the publication of this ambitious project. I praise my pal for never giving up on his passion.

All who share the love of this author’s great work, please join us in celebration of Papa’s literature. Not only will Ed share some his “rarest of the rare” at Lemuria, but our old bookstore crony, J.C., will be hanging around again just like the old days.

Ernest Hemingway: A Descriptive Bibliography by C. Edgar Grissom (Oak Knoll Press, 2011)

The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel, Ph.D.

By John

On July 30, 2011

In Psychology

The Procrastination Equation: How to Stop Putting Things on Off and Start Getting Stuff Done

by Piers Steel, Ph.D.

Harper Collins (2011)

For the last few months, I’ve been thinking about why distractions, so constant in modern life, keep us from having authentic face-to-face experiences. It seems every experience is interrupted by someone informing us of something consequential or not. Often these interruptions seem to caused by device hypnosis. I think this psychologically distracting habit is interesting especially when this behavior seems to destroy concentration and even to the point of producing rude self-centeredness. In the workplace, interruptions lead to poor customer service and can infringe on other coworkers’ time and focus.

Procrastination has been identified as not just a delay but an irrational one. That is when we voluntarily put off tasks despite believing ourselves to be worse off by doing so. We know we are acting against our own best interests. Self-deception and procrastination go hand and hand, exploiting the thin line between couldn’t and wouldn’t by exaggerating the difficulties we face and come up with justifications even if we don’t vocalize them.

Procrastination is to suffer from weak impulse control, lack of persistence, lack of work discipline, lack of self-management skill, and the inability to plan ahead of time. Even after starting, a procrastinator is easily distracted. Putting off responsibilities inevitably follows. This behavior is especially rude and counterproductive in the work environment. It’s almost like a learned helplessness which decreases the pleasure and quality of life, and its source is likely procrastination.

Impulsiveness shares the strongest bond to procrastination, for example, cell phones are responded to by people who act without thinking. Those who act on impulse are more likely procrastinating. In the retail world, impulse results in unwanted purchases leading to impulse buys and decreasing the customer’s opportunity for good service. Our love affair with the present moment and immediate gratification is the root of this process.

So attached it seems are cell phones and computer that they seem embedded, not only within people’s lives but that they are an actual part of their body, even to the extent that when they are not around people can experience a phantom limb syndrome, for example, a faux cell phone arm. Americans on the average watch 4.7 hours of TV. By doing this, the TV is controlling part of our mental body. Does this create a faux TV brain?

In the short term, we can regret what we do; but in the long run, we regret what we don’t get done. When interrupted by a device, it takes approximately 15 minutes to refocus. About two hours of our work day is lost to interruption and less productivity, i.e., entertainment for the employee paid for time. Could this be called shoplifting or just stealing?

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Every indecision brings about delays in usually costly and unproductive efforts. These types of effort produce drudgery and decrease the flow of total engagement which in turn decreases creativity. A bigger picture understanding is clobbered by this narrowness of effort, thus producing less work success and reward.

Proper goal setting is the smartest thing you can do to battle your own procrastination. Framing our goals breaks down big picture success into short term objectives. Routines get stronger with repetition, and so does the habit become stronger every time you slack off or interrupt yourself with your cell phone, Facebook, Twitter, etc. If you protect and nurture your routine with good habits, it will eventually protect you.

If you are in a small business and want good service generated by right-minded efforts that lead to you enhancing your community, I suggest Steel’s book. Managing your time and those you employ correctly eventually makes your efforts have longer constructive effects for your business and your community.

If these ideas interest you, your time reading The Procrastination Equation will give you plenty to think about.

Driving Excellence by Mark Aesch

By John

On July 5, 2011

In Business/Economy

Driving Excellence: Transforming your Organization’s Culture and Achieve Revolutionary Results

by Mark Aesch (Hyperion, 2011)

Our recession has pointed out to struggling businesses that in case you didn’t already know it, your business is broken.

You can’t do things the old way and survive. As Dylan used to say, “The times they are a changin’.”

We can’t fix our organizations without people and their willpower to set aside the status quo, take risks and do things differently. Generally, improvements in employee work is either selfishly motivated to save their jobs or organizationally motivated to operate more productively.

Mark Aesch’s fine book is about creating a new business culture for his business, basically a city-owned bus business. His basis of success lies in creating a culture of non-ego, eliminating competition within the team. My take on his actions is to turn the individual egos of the team members toward developing the team ego into a strong unit. The team should be focused on customer benefits rather than what I call “entitled neurosis” or the neurotic ego demands of employees.

When I picked up Driving Excellence, I never thought I would be interested in reading a book about a city bus transit system and I didn’t think that I would finish it. I was really surprised. Mark’s story is inspiring and his experiences can be influential if you want to transform your own business.

In April 2004, Mark Aesch was appointed the CEO of Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) and was confronted with a $27.5 million deficit. Two years later RGRTA has a $19.7 million surplus and its fares are the lowest they’ve been since 1991. Ridership has increased by 20% and customer satisfaction has never been higher.

Mark’s story takes him to the front lines of war with the union’s self-centered demands and their lack of customer service interest. His hard-edged story of these conflicts demonstrate his strength of character and dedication to the improvement through honest dialogue. The presence to continue to make the right decisions to benefit the whole. His battle took him from the union to the politicians–individuals who live by their votes rather than doing right-minded work directed toward efficiency.

Mark’s story is told directly without inflating himself or his ability to succeed. While reading I was encouraged to analyze our bookstore and its chemistry, even while studying the bus business, which I think is a testimony for his book and his work efforts.

Success for a small business requires team ego. Success is too difficult if all employees do not pursue one goal–the best customer service. Mark moved me so much with his story that I ordered four copies for my staff to study and pass around. By reading Mark’s influential book I hope Lemuria’s drive to excellence will achieve the goal of giving Jackson a top-notch local community bookstore. We don’t want to fall into the pitfall of entitled customer support; We want to earn our customers’ business. Lemuria will live or die by our choices. Lemuria needs to earn our community’s support and I hope we are up to the task. Mark, learning from your book, we appreciate the challenge.

A Dad’s Day present I want but already have

By John

On June 15, 2011

In Staff Blog

Beer: A Genuine Collection of Cans Photography & Design by Dan Becker and Lance Wilson (Chronicle Books, 2011)

As a fifth grader in 1975, Josh Russo began his collection of beer cans. Josh became hooked from his first day of searching. His dad, a traveling businessman, fed this collecting compulsion, picking up various cans in the cities he traveled. Even on vacation, Josh fed his obsession. For his 14th birthday, Josh requested the book Beer Can Collecting. From there his collection and obsession grew. When he got married his understanding wife suggested he build shelves to display his collection. This fun book is full of neat examples representing his efforts, spanning cans over 60 years and 30 countries.

Ballantines Export, packaged for soldiers, was colored to avoid reflecting light so as not to reveal soldier’s location to the enemy at night.

Boston Light Ale features the Boston lighthouse, the first lighthouse in North America.

Buckeye Pilsener features the “Bucky” mascot for Otto bases Buckeye Brewing company. The company was in operation for 130 years.

Budweiser used the bald eagle for the first time in 1872 and remains the Budweiser symbol today.

Gluek’s was founded as the Mississippi Brewery Company in Minneapolis and later changed to Gluek’s Beer. Before refrigeration, Gluek’s was lagered in caves on Nicolette island on the Mississippi river.

Not only is Beer fun as you learn beer trivia, but many old memories are brought back to life.

When James Dickey visited Lemuria, we decided we needed a pit stop as we left the airport. J.D. bought two tall boy 6-packs of Colt 45 for his motel room without a fridge. Two days later when he left Jackson, J.D. had two hot ones left which he drank on the ride to Oxford.

No Taxation without Representation: I love the Falstaff can quote, still holds up today in my opinion. Bring back the can and I’ll get some to ice down!

I grew up watching black & white baseball games on Saturday afternoon. Old Diz and Pee Wee loved their Falstaff and it’s no doubt they sipped a few during the broadcast.

Reading Beer is total fun while you enjoy your beers of choice. I couldn’t help but pop open the one can of beer I had in the fridge.

My favorite and and only can I have in my collection is from 1979. “We Are Family” world champs. A great token to bring back memories for a life long Pirates fan.

And finally, my last example, Jax Beer. I dedicate this blog to my closest and favorite now gone first cousin Paul. He was my best friend when my dad died. I had just turned 12. He cut up a bit and would take me to roadhouse beer joints, where you rolled down the windows to attach the serving tray, turned on your blinker and ordered beer to drink in the parking lot shadows.

I suspect my first taste of beer came with him at these spots. My memory tells me Jax empties rolled around in the floorboards of his red & white ’56 Mercury. He taught me what beer drinking was all about. My first “sneaky underage beer” was at the old Cherokee Drive-In. In the very same way Paul taught me at 14! I’m pretty sure it was a Falstaff.

Glory to the beer gods for this fun book. If your dad drinks beer, get this book and a 6-pack and sip a few this Sunday afternoon. Share some old times and bright moments with Pop.

Daring to Trust: Opening Ourselves to Real Love and Intimacy

By John

On June 11, 2011

In Psychology

Daring to Trust: Opening Ourselves to Real Love and Intimacy by David Richo (Shambhala, 2010)

Trust is defined as “a firm and hopeful reliance on the fidelity, integrity, or in the ability of a person or thing.” It is not dependency but rather an inner assurance, a confidence that gives us a sense of security, a reliance on reliability. Trust happens in the present and connects past experience with future possibility. Trust can be damaged at anytime. The foundation of trust is “I trust myself with whatever you do.”

Being a fan of David Richo’s work, I jumped to read his new book. I finished reading Trust some time ago, however, it’s taken me a while to come to terms about writing my thoughts on this broad and deep book. I don’t recall reading a book solely devoted to trust before.

The way we trust openly reflects our inner self and from which we learn and grow. Our declaration of our history of trust is essential in understanding ourselves and growing in intimacy with those we love. Learned through our experience we cannot always trust ourselves, our neurotic ego shield is constantly a blink away.

Richo’s new book is about how to trust and how to be trustworthy. He explains four directions our trust can take:
1. toward others

2. toward ourselves

3. toward reality

4. toward a higher power or spiritual path

He explores trust groups by helping us understand the difference between the way a child trusts and the way adults trust. As we grow in our understanding of trust, we become more adept as setting boundaries so that we are not taken advantage of.

By explaining intelligent distrust, we grow in our capacity to trust. By studying our shadow, we gradually thin the effects of youthful trust factors which influence our neurotic reactions and hinder the present.

My previous Richo reading has helped me in a large way to understand my adult self. Daring to Trust helps you consider, understand and forgive injustices you have created–those that have caused you harm and mistakes you have made towards others. Coming to an understanding with trust worthiness enables you to view your loves ones, family, partner, pals, and coworkers in a growing, sharing way basically centered around genuine love and care. I cannot express enough to David what seriously reading this book has meant to me. This is a book to share with all, especially those who have been dealt hurtful blows by others. For those readers who feel comfortable with others, reading Daring to Trust helps you see why you feel more secure.

It would give me great pleasure for Lemuria to host David in Jackson and to make our community more aware of his excellent work. I have no hesitation in recommending his books to any of Lemuria’s readers. His efforts will have effects if you take his insight to heart and practice awareness in your daily activities.

Our community of Jackson could use his influence and insightful awareness.

Click here for a full listing of David’s books.

Bookstore Keys: Lemuria’s Headed for NYC

By John

On May 17, 2011

In Newsworthy

Borders has missed its deadline of May 6th for bids that would keep the company operating. B & N expressed interest to buy 10 stores. Another offer is rumored to buy 200 stores. This unknown company seems to be interested in the large retails outlets that garner the bulk of the company revenues.

Borders may be forced to close all of its remaining stores if no bidder is found in the next few weeks. With this news and lots of other things on our minds, we’re headed to New York to attend our once-a-year trade show. Many of you may wonder how Lemuria can bring so many first class writers to a small community like Jackson. The answer starts next week when Joe and I land in NYC. The 2011 show should be especially interesting with Borders declining in the brick model and the rapid emergence of the e-book.

Our challenge will be to find out which publishers are interested in working directly with Lemuria to enhance our reading community. We’ll be exploring what the future will hold for Lemuria’s work with the nation’s top publishers.

Lemuria is particularly challenged by this opportunity with our industry’s change. We want to come out of this paradigm shift giving Jackson a better and more successful bookstore. Our work next week will be important in determining if that quality growth will actually come about.

Lemuria doesn’t know what attitude the publishers will have toward our work. Will publishers and authors care about the physical book or just put up a smoke screen? Will the overall focus be on the e-book? I expect we will be shined with both attitudes. However, I’m encouraged that our good publishers will still want quality physical books to thrive and will need local booksellers and plan to enhance their efforts.

On this trip, I’m out to catch these three big fish:

1. Jim Harrison’s new book The Great Leader, published by Grove.

The word is that our longtime favorite, Big Jim, is not coming South. But that is not going to stop me from trying to get a Dixie trip out of the Old Bear. I just started reading Great Leader yesterday. Fans, get ready for Jim’s new counter ego hero. He’s grand again.

2. Michael Ondaatje’s The Cat’s Table, published by Knopf

Michael Ondaatje has never been to our bookstore. A Jax trip is a long shot we hear, however, we are going to try for it. I have read all of Ondaatje’s novels and a goodly bit his nonfiction and poetry. He is one of my favorites and we will work hard to lure Ondaatje South. This is an author whose market size hurts us, but we’re going to let out a lion’s roar for a Mississippi trip.

3. Paul Hendrickson’s Hemingway’s Boat 1934-1961. Five hundred and sixty pages about Papa and Pilar sharing everything Papa loved in life and lost.

Well, that’s just a taste. Watch out for Joe’s round up of our upcoming work in New York in a couple of days. We will share some of the authors who have already made it to our events list and other writers with new books coming out this fall.

We will also be giving you a preview to some of the projects we have in the works for our local community. We’re planning to enhance our physical book reading community this fall through our efforts in the Big Apple. Stay tuned.

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The Bookstore Key Series on Changes in the Book Industry

Barnes & Noble Bankrupt? (April 28) Decluttering the Book Market: Ads on the latest Kindle (April 14) Independents on the Exposed End of the Titantic? (April 6th) Border’s Bonuses (March 30) The Experience of Holding a Book (March15) Finding “Deep Time” in a Bookstore (March 8th) Reading The New Rules of Retail by Lewis & Dart (March 3) The Future Price of the Physical Book (Feb 18) Borders Declares Bankruptcy (Feb 16) How Great Things Happen at Lemuria (Feb 8th) The Jackson Area Book Market (Jan 25) What’s in Store for Local Bookselling Markets? (Jan 18) Selling Books Is a People Business (Jan 14) A Shift in Southern Bookselling? (Jan 13) The Changing Book Industry (Jan 11)

Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don’t

By John

On May 12, 2011

In Business/Economy

Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don’t

by John Sullivan (Penguin, 2010)

Booksellers are in a unique position in that they constantly watch what people read and get new ideas for reading adventures from their customers. I had a fun experience learning about the latest book by Paul Sullivan.

My first encounter with Clutch was in September at a Texas airport having a beer. The young pretty gal next to me was reading it and so of course I took notice.

Some time later, an old youth baseball coaching pal came in and bought a copy. He then came back and ordered eight more copies. That caught my attention. I got a copy and laid it on the pile until the time was right.

Clutch is having the ability to do what you can do normally while under immense pressure. Success under intensity is hard work. Sullivan’s goal with Clutch was to find people who were clutch and deconstruct what made them so good. By using two areas, money and sports, where people choke the most, the author explains how we can make better decisions under pressure. Sullivan wants to show people how to become better while under pressure and avoid the simple mistakes that cause most of us to choke.

Sullivan asserts that there are several traits which make an individual clutch.

1) Focus: The basis for all great performers under pressure. Focus is not just about concentration. It’s about trusting yourself and allowing your hard work and assets to come forward when situations get tough.

2) Discipline: This is the battle within yourself. Through discipline, set up a strong foundation in your work instead of giving into neurosis and the demands of the ego.

3) Adaptability: When your plan fails, focus on the intent and an outcome based on solutions. The focus must be outward and big picture and not inward on emotions and details.

4) Be present: This involves being ready for whatever comes your way and developing a heightened awareness that prepares you to respond.

5) Fear and Desire: Carry your drama and recycle it into discipline. Learn big picture, macro not micro. Shape your destiny.

Why do people choke? Part of success may involve how people perceive their actions. Take responsibility and learning from your mistakes. Be accountable for your actions. My actions = my results. On the other hand, Sullivan also explores the dangers of over thinking and over confidence traps.

Finally Sullivan analyzes how to be clutch and what it can teach you. Clutch awareness allows you to enjoy your pleasures fully as the opportunity presents itself. Being prepared mentally and enjoying the process naturally.

Being a bookseller in 2011, I found reading Clutch helpful as I prepare mentally for this time of publishing change. Clutch decisions for small bookstores are critical as we try to stay in business as the recession subsides. Understanding your clutch strengths and weaknesses are a good tool in the work toward success and survival. Move forward without fear and haste; utilize your strengths to increase the endurance of your business.

Clutch by John Sullivan (Penguin, 2010)

Author: John (Page 6 of 19)

Reading that sets off your alarm clock

Katie’s not gonna bar the door! and how all this Damned stuff came about

Time for Mississippi Blues

Calling all Hemingway Fans!

The Procrastination Equation by Piers Steel, Ph.D.

Driving Excellence by Mark Aesch

A Dad’s Day present I want but already have

Daring to Trust: Opening Ourselves to Real Love and Intimacy

Bookstore Keys: Lemuria’s Headed for NYC

Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don’t

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