Chicagoans of the Year in Literature

The Book Stall is grateful and proud to be among a group of local independent booksellers named by the Chicago Tribune as Chicagoans of the Year in Literature in 2014. 

The honor usually goes to an individual author, and the Tribune noted that some of the country's best and most successful works in fiction, nonfiction, and children's literature in 2014 came from Chicago writers. "But would there even be a book community in Chicago to talk about without, you know, local booksellers?" asked the Trib's Christopher Borelli.  He continued: "...a number of local women have stepped up recently and either started new bookstores in the Chicago area or became the next-gen owners of beloved neighborhood institutions." 

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.

Delightful praise for The Book Stall

It is our good fortune to see this lovely note from Richard C. Morais, on his blog here:

In Praise of Independent Bookstores

"Now that Borders has collapsed, sadly taking out a third of book store distribution in America, it is greatly hoped that independent bookstores will be in a stronger position going forward. Need I say such stores add so much character and life to any neighborhood in the country blessed to have one. So please go visit an indie and buy a book, preferably, if you live in the Chicago area, at the literary haven called The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, in Winnetka, Illinois.

Why am I so partial to this particular store and its respected impresario, Roberta Rubin? Very simple. Roberta’s advocacy on behalf of The Hundred-Foot Journey got my book (paperback due out Aug. 9) on the prestigious Indie Next List for the month of August. I look forward to the day I can thank her in person."

You can purchase Richard's new book, The Hundred-Foot Journey right here..... 

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