Book Club

Gratitude is always on our minds at Gramercy Books, not just on Thanksgiving. Our name is taken from the French, “Grand Merci,” translating to “Many Thanks!” 

Gramercy Books has established an author event rhythm, hosting one every week so readers can hear writers talk about their new books. The October author event schedule is a great example of the diverse mix of selected authors and books, and the multitude of ways to present these authors to the community.

As September arrives, the hot fall book titles tend to be on the minds of readers and booksellers alike. For this month’s blog, I want to share what Gramercy Books book buyer, Debbie Boggs, is most excited about, and what fall books are on my TBR list as well!

A Velveteen Rabbit is a century-old story about authenticity, an essential theme that Jennifer Egan explores in The Candy House amidst the complexities and innovations of a current and future context. Join the full discussion of her latest novel, THE CANDY HOUSE, on April 27, 7 pm, a Gramercy Book Club program moderated by writer and scholar Nick White!

As an author and a bookstore owner, I am often asked to recommend books. My all-time favorites tower at Gramercy Books (plucked off by customers faster than our booksellers can replace them!) doesn’t change much because I’m very picky about what I will call a favorite. Here are my mini-reviews of the dozen books I’ve read thus far in 2022!

As I reviewed my book diary over this past year—nearly fifty in total—my selections covered a range of themes, characters, settings, and genres. In terms of those I read that were published in 2021, here are my top five picks.

A year ago, we didn’t foresee that everything was about to change. We were facing the shadow of an incipient epidemic, resulting in lives lost and much suffering. It is exactly one year to the day—March 23, 2020—when Gramercy Books had to close our physical doors to you. So, today is a day of reflection and looking forward.  

Many in the community have asked how we are doing at Gramercy Books, given the world in which we now find ourselves. Thanks to YOU, Gramercy Books is holding its own. We are so grateful that you, our community, continue to call, visit, purchase books and other fun items (puzzles are back in stock!), and participate in our live streamed programming. 

Overseeing a business, organization, or even a household during a pandemic—with its uncertainty as new information unfolds daily—is like driving a vehicle down a mountain through a deep fog. As Gramercy Books looks toward reopening our store later in May, I believe there is a silver lining to this challenging environment.  

What follows is a diary of how COVID-19 has affected one locally owned, independent bookstore located just outside Columbus, Ohio. I started keeping a diary, just to keep track of day-to-day adjustments to this unfolding crisis. It now seems like a useful guide, revealing what one small business is doing to adapt to a pandemic.