Bookstore sleuth

This past weekend Ian and I ventured to Barnes and Noble to spend the last of our holiday gift card. I was poking around the middle grade section when an ever-helpful saleslady came by and asked if I was finding everything okay. “Actually,” I said, “I was wondering if you can point me in the direction of any new releases?”

Happy to have books to suggest, the woman led me to book after book, telling me what to look for if I have a girly-girl reader, a strong reader, one who isn’t afraid of scary stories, a reluctant boy reader, etc. I kept things vague and told her I was looking for something in the ten to twelve year-old range, so she swooped me around the store, eyes lighting up, belly laughing, glowing over her favorites. It’s so much fun to see someone get so excited over kid’s books. She talked about taking Diary of a Wimpy Kid into her break room, and having laughed out loud with no one around. We talked about the state of the book publishing industry (layoffs, tighter control over what’s going out), the kinds of books that are winning the prestigious awards, and that summer is a heavy release season because everyone wants to be on the summer reading list. It was such a treat to hear someone talk so lovingly about books and be so knowledgeable about the industry that I felt a smidge bad when Ian came over and told her the books were for me. She said, “Well, I’ll stop talking your ear off,” and I wanted to hear her talk more but the spell was broken. Apparently it was only cool to talk about the books when she thought I was buying them for someone else. Perhaps in the future I’ll have to make up an imaginary kid I am buying books for. A way younger sister, perhaps? A niece? Things to consider for next time…

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