Author Brunonia Barry (The Lace Reader) shares thoughts on indie bookstores, particularly her hometown store, Spirit of ’76 in Marblehead, MA, in a post at the blog She Is Too Fond of Books.

“This is the kind of store where the staff learns your tastes and often puts a book or two aside for you,” she wrote. ” They also know when to stretch your reading horizons, suggesting books you’ll love but might never have found on your own.”

Barry also praised the bookstore as a place with a real sense of community, and noted that it was through her connections there that she began utilizing book clubs as early readers of her work.

“I think the synergy between booksellers and book clubs is a strong one…” Barry observed. “The fact that they are also supportive of local writers played a huge part in what was to become a great success and ultimately fulfill my dream of being a full time writer.”

Anthology is very pleased to welcome Ms. Barry as she makes a stop on her nationwide tour promoting her new book The Map of True Places. I had the opportunity to meet Brunonia at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute in San Jose, CA this past February. Brazenly I asked…”would you come to Anthology?” She said she would love to stop at our store and the connection was made! A warm, energetic and talented writer, Brunonia Barry is quite attuned to independent book stores and the readers that frequent them. She would love to meet all of you, so please plan to stop in June 12 at 2 pm for our event. Both copies of her latest book and The Lace Reader are available for purchase and signing.