"The 65-foot deep, 1,600-square-foot backyard annex to BookCourt is poised for unveiling--another sign that Cobble Hill's beloved book store is here to stay," the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported.
Co-owner Henry Zook told the Eagle
"the addition will permit BookCourt to restructure its entire space and
double its inventory, addressing some 'systemic weaknesses.' The annex
allows for greater seating capacity for the shop's popular evening
readings and literary discussions, and soon we'll see, as well, tables
and chairs for leisurely book browsing."
Zook also offered the
optimistic forecast that "books do well in challenging times. . . .
This is a strong, smart neighborhood, unique in its intimacy and scale.
We've always depended on customer loyalty. We have really nice people
here."
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"An ordinary bookstore sells books. A quality
bookstore gives out a warm welcome and makes experts available to
ensure a good read," according to Epoch Times,
which profiled the Dahesh Heritage Bookstore, in midtown Manhattan in
New York, N.Y., and its celebration this year of Kahlil Gibran's 125th
birthday.
Noting that customers visiting the bookshop
"experience a taste of true Middle Eastern hospitality," the article
paid tribute to "the bookstore's knowledgeable manager, Mike Masri,
[who] exhibits a modesty that belies his education and experience."
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A Wired
magazine blog headline screamed, "Men Love the Internet. And They Don't
Read Books," but the numbers appear less than apocalyptic. In a recent
study conducted by Hall and Partners for Break Media, the "mythical and
highly sought-after 18- to 34-year-old male is way more addicted to the
internet than he is to television," Wired reported.
From
the "Is it good news or bad news?" department, the results for
"Activities Most Men Aged 18-34 Participate in Every Week" included
text messaging (66%) and playing video games (60%), while "Activities
Fewer Men Make Time for Every Week" was led by reading books (46%) and
reading magazines (43%), compared to the the number of men who said
they rent DVDs (33%), go to bars (also 33%) or go to the movies (20%).
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Effective October 31, Bishop Hadley is leaving the Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops in Milwaukee, Wis., where he has worked nearly 13 years as a bookseller, manager and used book and remainder book buyer. He has worked in independent bookstores 25 years and hopes he will stay connected to the world of books and publishing. He may be reached at bhadley@schwartzbooks.com.