Catch these wonderful events coming up...

The Book Stall has a week unlike any other coming up with an amazing variety of events taking place right here in the store. Visitors will include authors of two of the season's hottest new books -- one fiction, one nonfiction -- as well as a hero from the final days of the Vietnam War, a Hemingway, a (friendly) pack of dogs asking to be read to, and a team of four young adult romance authors.

Read more below and please note these dates:

• Aline Ohanesian on Friday, May 15 at 7 pm, talking about Orhan's Inheritance, the book independent booksellers named their #1 recommendation for the month of April
• John Riordan, called the "Oskar Schindler of the Vietnam War," on Saturday, May 16 at 11 am, with his book, They Are All My Family, the story of how he evacuated Vietnamese employees of his Saigon Citibank office in defiance of orders from his superiors.
• Human volunteers and their canine companions demonstrating the beauty of the local "Sit, Stay, Read" initiative on Saturday, May 16 from 2-4 pm -- great for adults and kids!
• Zachary Leader on Sunday, May 17 at 3 pm, for a talk about volume one of his biography, The Life of Saul Bellow
• Four fabulous young adult authors joining us on Sunday, May 17 at 2 pm as part of the national "Swoon Reads" tour
• Actress and mental health advocate Mariel Hemingway on Tuesday, May 19, at 7 pm with her memoir Out Came the Sun.

All of these events are free and open to the public. Each represents an opportunity to spend just an hour, close to home, learning something new, meeting interesting authors and fellow readers, and browsing the North Shore's leading independent bookstore.

The Passing of the Baton...

 The Passing of the Baton...

   

...but First, a Celebration

 The Book Stall formally changes hands on Monday, July 1, when Stephanie Hochschild of Winnetka becomes the new owner. Last night, a big crowd of faithful customers, fellow Winnetkans, and dear friends from the publishing world turned out to celebrate Roberta Rubin Day and the woman who has steered the ship for the past 31 years. There were tributes, toasts, happy stories, lots of laughs, and a tear or two.  We're delighted Roberta will still be active with us. And Stephanie, welcome aboard!

Signed by the Author

Did you know The Book Stall keeps a running list of available new books, signed by the author?
New titles are added weekly.

For Dads, Grads, and special gifts, check our Autographed Books page. 

They make great gifts -- for someone special or for yourself! Click here for our continuously updated list of highlights from our current titles. Call us at 847 446-8880 to order, or email us at books@thebookstall.com. 

Voice of the Heartland Award !!

We are delighted to share this wonderful news

 

Earlier this month, Book Stall owner Roberta Rubin received her second major accolade of 2012 -- The Voice of the Heartland Award at the annual Heartland Fall Forum of the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association in Minneapolis.  The award is conferred periodically to a person or organization that has shown a lifelong commitment to regional books and book selling.

Roberta is in distinguished company. The last recipient of the award from the Chicago area was none other than the great Studs Terkel.

Reminder: August hours at The Book Stall

A Reminder About Our August Hours

During the month of August, The Book Stall closes at 6 pm on weekdays. We'll go back to our regular 8 pm weekday closing time on September 4, the day after Labor Day (when we'll be closed).

 The Book Stall at Chestnut Court today was named the Publishers Weekly Bookstore of the Year.  Click on this link to read the whole story:  The Book Stall Named 'PW' Bookstore of the Year.  Roberta Rubin will accept the award at the American Booksellers Association's annual BookExpo America in New York City on June 5, 2012.

Our current best-selling titles...

The Book Stall's Bestsellers of the Week

March 26, 2012

1. Joy the Baker Cookbook by Joy Wilson
2. Carry the One by Carol Anshaw
3. The Tuscan Sun Cookbook by Frances and Ed Mayes
4. Roads to Power by Jo Guldi
5. You Know When the Men Are Gone by Siobhan Fallon
6. The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons
7. Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
8. The O'Briens by Peter Behrens
9. Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante
10. The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon

Note: Books can be ordered directly from The Book Stall by clicking on the book titles.

How trendy are we? We've got QR codes for your smart phone

"Sophisticated" That's what Chicago Tribune calls The Book Stall

A Chicago Tribune article today by Ted Gregory, helps Tribune readers remember the value in local, independent bookstores in the Chicago area. Our staff is so proud of Roberta Rubin for being among the leaders.  

Read on...

"Tapping into that personal connection takes a variety of forms among independents. Typically, it means knowing customers so well that staff can suggest books as soon as a customer walks in the door.    ..."

"The connection also can be more sophisticated. The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, in business for nearly 30 years in Winnetka, offers a children's book club. An adult provides a list of the child's interests to staff, who select the books, gift wrap them and send them to the home every month.

Resourceful diversification is part of the formula. The Book Stall's owner, Roberta Rubin, partners with downtown civic and social organizations to bring prominent authors to town. Those efforts have landed some heavyweights: from Jimmy Carter and Donald Rumsfeld to J.K. Rowling and Martha Stewart." 

source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-met-bookstores-survival-20110226,0,6491760,full.story

A Note from Roberta

On the Subject of Borders

The news this week about Borders' bankruptcy and the anticipated closing of their retail locations, including those in nearby Deerfield and Evanston, comes as no surprise.  While we have viewed Borders and other big box bookstores as direct competitors, we are still, in the end, both soldiers in the army of selling books face-to-face. It gives us no satisfaction to see another brick and mortar bookseller in trouble. An article in the Wall Street Journal said it well - A senior publishing executive pointed out that the industry has no marketing substitute for the big tables at the front of bookstores that display the latest in fiction and non-fiction books.  

 "Bookstores are where discovery takes place." 

Independent bookstores have survived through these many years of change because we can offer something that neither the big box stores, nor the internet giants can - and that is thoughtful personal service and an engaged staff to help you find exactly what you want.  Thank you all for your continuing support and loyal business, The Book Stall hopes and plans to be here for a long, long time to come.

Best,  Roberta

Starting 2010 with Fan Mail .....

We get lovely letters all year 'round. A look at our latest fan mail:



Dear Roberta,

My children have been in the (Book Stall's) Children's Book-of-the-Month Club for seven years. They love it. They look forward to it every month. The selections could not be better. As the children have become better readers, the books have continued to challenge them. When people come to our home, they always comment on the great selection of books the kids have. M.M.


The Book Stall's Children's Book Club

Children who belong to The Book Stall's Children's Book Club receive books in the mail every month or every other month, individually chosen by members of the Children's Department staff, based on a child's interests, reading habits, and enthusiasms. Those who give children the gift of membership discuss the child's tastes and reading history with us either in person, on the phone, or via e-mail to childrens@thebookstall.com. The books are wrapped and include a personal note reminding them from whom the book came. More info on The Children's Book Club

Book Stall honored in the Huffington Post

Praveen Madan has written a wonderful article on the importance of independent booksellers. It is a cogent and heartfelt defense of an irreplaceable community institution. And to top it off, she acknowledges the Book Stall and other stores like it for our "warmth, generosity, and sharing spirit." Read the whole article here.

Our new e-mail newsletter

We've recently updated our e-mail capabilities, and we'll be sending out digital newsletters periodically from now on. But don't worry--discount club members will still get the print version in the mail. The digital version will include information about upcoming events, news about goings-on in the store, and occasional reviews and staff picks. You can sign up by clicking the link at the top right corner of our website: www.thebookstall.com

Vote for your event choices

We hold a large number of events each month, but we know our favorite customers aren't always showing up to see these interesting authors. Please take a moment to vote for the type of events you'd come to, and indicate the best times of day. Look over to the right and you'll see our two quick polls. No sign in required, just vote for your preference, and help us help you!

Roberta Rubin

A Few Kind Word Are Much Appreciated

We're so happy to share this lovely note from our customer B.G. in Palatine, Illinois:

I enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith's visit to your store. How wonderful of your store to sponsor a visit from such an acclaimed and delightful writer! Please add my email address to your mailing list. It's worth the trip to Winnetka for me to attend some of your events.

Even in the very busy atmosphere of Mr. Smith's visit, every staff person I encountered thanked me for my purchase and for attending the book signing! It’s so rare to get a sincere “thank you” from shops these days.

B.G. - Palatine, IL

Blogging from The Book Stall

Welcome to our new blog at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court! It's a new beginning - with all our expertise and knowledge about books here on the page for you to peruse. We as booksellers will be updating the blog every week - and we look forward to hearing from you as well! We experience this "give and take" every day over the desk - now we can talk online. Looking forward to our new adventure - Roberta

Link to our store website: thebookstall.com

Head straight for our Event calendar

Shop online Click to "Browse Subjects," Bestsellers, or type anything in the white search box to search by author or title.
(You can save on postage by picking your order up in the store too).

The Book Stall at Chestnut Court

Welcome! The Book Stall at Chestnut Court is a North Shore institution since 1986.

We appreciate our customers! If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Just click to send us e-mail: Books@thebookstall.com

Or give us a call at (847) 446-8880

Toll-free (800) 678-2242 Fax (847) 446-2894

Winter Hours:
Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Need directions:

Google Maps will help you find us

"We are a community bookstore that caters to our customers," says Roberta Rubin, owner of the Book Stall at Chestnut Court. With over 68,000 titles in our 5,000 sq. foot store, the book selection has something for everyone: fiction, travel, cooking, children's books, biographies, and many more. Autographed books are a specialty as well. The Book Stall is classified as a general trade book store.

The Book Stall at Chestnut Court is known for its many special events. You will often find literary and best-selling authors signing their books. The store also sponsors reading groups, poetry sessions and weekly story-telling time for children.

The twenty plus employees of The Book Stall are knowledgeable, friendly and ready to help with special orders, book searches and gift wrapping.

Established in 1940 as Chestnut Court, we became The Book Stall at Chestnut Court in 1986. The store is connected to the popular Caribou Coffee Shop. We are one of the Chicago area's most popular and busy bookstores with events happening almost every day. It is easy to see why we were awarded The Haslam Award for Excellence as an Independent Bookseller in 1993 by The Ingram Book Company and The American Booksellers Association.