Calling it "a touching story
of friendship--and just about as close to perfection as a reader can
get," Costco book buyer Pennie Clark Ianniciello has chosen Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
by Lisa See (Random House, $13.95, 0812968069) as her December book
pick. She has highlighted the title in the current issue of Costco Connection, which goes to many of the warehouse club's members.
Unusually Ianniciello spent more space on the writer than her book, saying, "Every
now and then I come across someone who is so talented in so many ways
that I can't help but feel a bit envious. Author Lisa See is that kind
of person. Not only has she designed a walking tour of Los Angeles'
Chinatown, created a museum exhibit and written the words to an opera,
she is also skilled in writing across genres."
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Terri Schmitz, owner of the Children's Book Shop in Brookline, Mass., was recently recognized on the fifth anniversary of collecting books for Reach Out and Read, the national literacy program that aims to make reading and books a part of pediatric care.
Customers either bring used books to the store or purchase new books, which are given to medical clinics in underprivileged areas in metropolitan Boston. Because of Children's Book Shop's contributions, thousands of books have been given to children who otherwise would not have books in their homes.
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Congratulations
to Koen-Levy Book Wholesalers, which last week quietly celebrated a
year since it took its first order as a successor to Koen Book
Distributors. In a note, senior sales and marketing manager Jim DiMiero
said, "While we've retained the old Koen flavor, we are continuing to
make new and great strides as one of the best book wholesalers in the
business." The company has "hit our sales forecasts," and added,
"Thanks to all of our customers for your loyal support."
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Next September Barnes & Noble plans to open a store in the Shoppes at Chino Hills at Grand Avenue and Peyton Drive in Chino Hills, Calif., near Los Angeles. The store will stock close to 200,000 book, music, DVD and magazine titles.