Store co-founders Judy Blume and George Cooper
Dear Bookfriends,
Thank you so much for your support during this difficult time for the store and our staff. We’ve been closed for browsing seven weeks. George and I have been isolating for eight. I miss the store, our staff, our customers. I miss Dan the Man, our cheerful UPS person who brings us new books. I miss having lunch in the back room where my eating space, a drop leaf shelf George attached to one of the desks, is referred to as the “cafeteria.”
I’m back to living the writing life, except I haven’t been writing (though lately I’ve been jotting down anecdotes for something I’ve had in mind for a long time). I’ve read drafts for the pilot episodes of SUMMER SISTERS, and WIFEY. And the script for the movie based on ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME MARGARET. That one was set to be shot over the summer in New Jersey. The director had found a wonderful 12 year old to play Margaret. Now, that project is on hold until it’s safe to shoot again.
I don’t know where the day goes (well, laundry for sure) but before I know it, it’s time for late afternoon reading, the best time of the day. I’ve started Emma Straub’s just published novel, ALL ADULTS HERE, and I’m really enjoying it! I’ll be chatting with Emma (virtually) on Monday, May 18, at 7pm. We’ll let you know how to tune in. But mark your calendars now. (Do we still use calendars?) After that it’s dinner and then an episode or two of one of the series we’re following — THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA on HBO, LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE on HULU, and coming this weekend, Wally Lamb’s I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE on HBO — all great books you can catch up with before or after watching.
Those of you with kids at home, I feel for you. I can only imagine how hard it is to supervise virtual classroom lessons, and still do everything else, including working from home. And thanks to the teachers — what a job you are doing! For the kids at home, keep them reading! Anything they want to read. Tell us what they love and we’ll try to find a book like it to send as a surprise.
Your loyalty is helping us stay afloat. We’re grateful you’re ordering books, puzzles, art supplies from us. It means we can keep our staff on salary. We’ve had orders from all over the country and we appreciate every one of them. Those of you in Key West know that Gia or Emily will deliver your books to your doorstep the same day you call. I’ve been signing books the same way. I want to give a shout out to our customers who ordered a “Starter Library” for a new baby in their lives. I wish you could have heard Gianelle and me on the phone — me shouting out titles, Gia running around the store trying to find them, then Gia reminding me of a new book that just had to be included. Gia put it all together and wrapped it beautifully. Another shoutout to our customer who ordered seven large art books, then ordered another seven, all as gifts to friends. And how about thirty copies of a forthcoming book, also for friends!
Every book makes a difference. I’m making a special donation to BINC today, an organization that helps indie bookstores in need. Some of them may not survive without help, some may not survive even with it. We’re lucky. Because of you we’ll soon be opening our doors. We haven’t set a date yet. When we do, we’ll probably be greeting you in masks and the floor may be marked off so you can keep your social distance, We need time to get ready. And we don’t want to do it too soon. We want to keep our staff and you, our loyal customers, safe. In the meantime, you can safely order online or by phone. And thank you again.
Stay well.
Love,
