Dear Booksellers and SinC Members,

 

I am delighted to share the article by my fellow Sisters in Crime Chicagoland Chapter member, Debra Klein, about her favorite bookstore, The Book Bin, in Northbrook, Illinois! Debra mentioned how accommodating the bookstore staff members were when she visited to take photos for her article. They opened early, allowing her to frame the perfect shots of the store.

 

SinC Members, please see the tip about making connections with booksellers and librarians at your local bookstore or library. Writers who are shy about introducing themselves to their local libraries and bookstores may find it easier if they use their visits to raise awareness about SinC’s award programs, which gives six $500 We Love Bookstore Awards and six $500 We Love Libraries Grants every year. Please find links to downloadable flyers and more information below.

 

I am also pleased to announce that Face in a Book Bookstore in El Dorado Hills, California, is the May winner of the We Love Bookstores $500 Award. Karen Phillips, President of the Sacramento, California chapter of Sisters in Crime, championed the bookstore’s application. 

 

Would you like to make connections at your local bookstores and libraries? Flyers describing the Sisters in Crime’s $500 awards make great calling cards!

 

I hope the awards give you (shy or otherwise) a reason to stop into your area libraries and bookstores to introduce yourself as a local writer and talk about Sisters in Crime.

 

Two handy, print-ready, color flyers are attached below. 

The Book Bin by Debra Klein

Owner Alli Gilley and Amy Morrison

The Book Bin in Northbrook, Illinois, has everything you’d want in a full-service independent bookstore and more. A local favorite since 1971, the Book Bin specializes in finding the perfect book for every customer.

 

For owner Alli Gilley, the Book Bin was her go-to place growing up in Northbrook. When she was offered the opportunity to become the owner in 2015, she grabbed it. In February of this year, Alli took another big step, moving the Book Bin into a larger space just across the parking lot from the original small shop. With lots of support from family and friends, the new location at 1929 Cherry Lane was set up in record time.

 

Walking into the Book Bin, you’re warmly welcomed by the friendly, knowledgeable staff. A multitude of books of all genres are showcased throughout the spacious arrangement of tables and bookshelves. The selection includes everything from classics to new releases. The fun children’s section offers a bevy of books for all age groups. A special treat for kids and adults alike is the model train that circles the top of the bookcases in the children’s section. Adding to the store’s ambiance is a working fireplace, flanked by two comfy chairs.

The Book Bin will gladly place an order for customers if a particular book is not on their shelves. They also dabble in fun gift items like stuffed animals, bookmarks, book lights, toys, games, handmade greeting cards and even socks!

 

Patrons are encouraged to check out the three turtle aquariums placed around the shop that bring a smile to everyone’s face. The largest of the turtles, Hardcover Jay, is a customer favorite.

But the Book Bin is more than a bookstore. On the first Thursday of every month, the Book Bin sponsors a group discussion for a pre-chosen book, led by a local resident. The Book Bin is also an enthusiastic supporter of the annual Independent Bookstore Day, held in April. And it promotes local author book launches and signings. Check out their website HERE to find the full list of upcoming events at the Book Bin.

 

For authors, readers and anyone who’s looking for a great bookstore, it’s worth the trip to Northbrook to experience the Book Bin’s motto – “Not a superstore…just a Super Store.”

 

 

Website: https://bbnbk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookBinInc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookbinnorthbrook

 

 

 

Website: https://www.debrakleinbooks.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/55309749.Debra_Klein

Amazon: Author

 

The We Love Bookstores Winner

Face in a Book in El Dorado Hills, California

 

Established thirteen years ago, Face in a Book bookstore has traditional bookstore events like book signings, author events, and book clubs. But the shop also hosts some events that are a little more unique, such as programming that is aimed at writers and aspiring writers and the upcoming Read to a Dog! Program for young readers to practice their reading skills by reading aloud to a “patient, non-judgmental dog.”

 

The $500 We Love Bookstores Award will go towards a fun, educational program geared towards mystery writing, which will include the local SinC chapter, Capital Crimes.

 

 

Website: https://www.getyourfaceinabook.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getyourfaceinabook/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getyourfaceinabook/

 

It is easy to apply for the $500 Sisters in Crime We Love Bookstores award. Winners are selected every other month. Find details and the application on the website.

Contact Susan Hammerman (librarian@sisterinscrime.org) if you have questions about the application process.

 

Would you like to write an entry for We Love Bookstores News about your favorite shop or something else? Did you put together or see an amazing bookstore display? Submit your ideas to Susan Hammerman, Library and Bookstore Liaison at librarian@sistersincrime.org 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Library and Bookstore Liaison: Susan Hammerman, a former rare book librarian, is the Library and Bookstore Liaison and coordinator of the We Love Libraries program. Connect with Susan: www.susanhammerman.com and, Bluesky, Instagram or email: librarian@sistersincrime.org

 

WLL and WLB News Editor: Gail Lukasik’s latest book is What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed. It’s the follow up book to her best-selling memoir, White Like Her: My Family’s Story of Race and Racial Passing, which was named one of the most inspiring stories of the year by The Washington Post. She’s also the author of five mystery novels. The Darkness Surrounds Us is her first gothic, historical mystery. Gail appeared in the documentary, History of Memory, which is available on Amazon Prime. https://www.amazon.com/What-They-Never-Told-Identities/dp/1510780181