BookSense.com: Online Resource for Good Reads

Yesterday, on the way to Philadelphia, I talked books with my friend Gail, which I hadn't done for a long time. I told her about "What Should I Read Next?", the online book referral site I reviewed on gem-vita only days ago.

"Do you know about Book Sense?" she asked. Gail then described an online source that lists the favorite reads of independent booksellers, collectively and then individually. They are a nationwide "family" of independent-bookseller websites and the e-commerce arm of the American Booksellers Association's Book Sense program.

Unline salespeople in the chain stores, independent booksellers are passionate about their merchandise. Their livelihood depends on it. I visited the BookSense.com virtual bookstore, and felt they shared my love of books and my need to know what others are reading and why. As a reader certainly, but also as a writer.

BookSense.com also provides information and news about local authors, store events, and staff recommendations, store by store, some better than others. Their recommendations reflect the collective wisdom of booksellers from all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

In the sense that Book Sense is a national marketing campaign on behalf of the independent bookstores of America, I certainly support it. The only independent bookseller within 60 miles went under five years ago, and it was a loss to our community. BookSense claims that it is, "Both a local and national effort to shine a light on the knowledge and diversity of independent bookstores, via the Book Sense Bestseller List -- now running in more than a dozen newspapers as well as monthly in U.S. News and World Report and on CSPAN -- and Book Sense Picks -- a monthly selection of eclectic new books chosen by independent booksellers."

According to the site, the number one pick at present is Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin.

Book Sense also offers a gift card welcome at hundreds of participating independent bookstores nationwide. We're planning on visiting our daughter Paige in Vermont over the Easter break, So, I checked their listings, and just as I expected, there is a participating Book Sense independent bookstore in Brattleboro, Everyone's Books, that honors a Book Sense gift card. Sounds like a nice Easter present for Paige.

If like me, you are always looking for reader recommendations or would like a one-stop shop to order the hottest titles in the world of the independent booksellers, visit Book Sense. Even if you're not buying, it's a great place to browse for good reads.

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