René Kirkpatrick got her bookselling start at the University of Oregon Bookstore in 1978. At first she worked part-time while getting her degree in elementary education, and then she went full-time, becoming the children’s book buyer in 1985. In 1992, she and her husband moved to Seattle, where she worked with Chauni Haslet as manager and …
There are booksellers who fall into bookselling when their other plans don’t work out or when they happen to see a Help Wanted sign in a store one day—and booksellers who choose it, who know from early on that they want to make a career out of putting books into the hands of other people. …
Kevin Emerson’s newest middle grade novel, Drifters, is a mystery/sci-fi about a 13-year-old girl searching for her missing friend on the Washington coast. While a tale with multiple timelines and universes, Drifters is also a simple story about holding onto friendship. It is also a love letter to the PNW coast. RK: What was your …
Big news from Bainbridge Island yesterday! Eagle Harbor Book Company owner Morley Horder announced two new partners, current bookstore manager Tim Hunter and long-time NW bookseller (and NWBL contributor!) René Kirkpatrick. Horder says Hunter and Kirkpatrick will work as the managing partners, taking care of the day-to-day operations of the store and he’ll work on …
Author James Patterson continued his holiday tradition of independent bookseller appreciation this year, awarding $500 bonuses to 600 booksellers at independent bookstores around the country. Booksellers were nominated through a simple form, which included an opportunity to share why the bookseller deserves a bonus. In our opinion, every bookseller we know deserves a great holiday …
Ware is looking forward to spending the summer thinking and dreaming. His parents have other ideas and sign him up for a rec camp, something he absolutely dreads. On his first day at Rec, he slips out the back door into the dream of a broken church. Unfortunately, the space is already occupied by a …
Last week, booksellers from all around the country converged on Portland, OR for a conference on children’s books and bookselling, hosted by the American Booksellers Association. Some lucky participants registered for half-day and full-day bus tours of Portland area independent bookstores, hopping from neighborhood to neighborhood for 20-30 minute drop-ins (Woefully short!). Here are some …
Eagle Harbor Book Company, a Bainbridge Island, WA, community icon in its 45th year, has new stewards: Islanders Jane and Dave Danielson. Jane is a long time bookseller at EHBC and previously held the position of Events Manager. Her husband Dave practiced maritime law before morphing into a transitional justice and human rights lawyer focusing …
“There is more time than there is expanse of the world and so any voyage at last will end.” –Ivan Doig, This House of Sky Ivan Doig, beloved author, passed away April 9, 2015. His loss is felt deeply throughout the literary community and beyond. We collect some memories here. Our thoughts and condolences go …
Wednesday night a delighted crowd gathered at Book Larder in Seattle to celebrate Renee Erikson and the incredible team behind the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA) Book Award-winning cookbook, A Boat, a Whale, & a Walrus. The bookstore’s Culinary Director, Kyle Wisner, served up delicious nibbles from the book including pâté and crostini. Lara Hamilton, …
