You can kick off your holiday festivities and shopping with us at Wellington Square Bookshop, Saturday, December 5th from noon till 2:00 p.m. As usual, you can nibble on free goodies, meet some of us, and play a bookstore trivia game to win autographed book bags and signed books. There will even be a story time for kids, featuring an original picture book manuscript read by author Keith Strunk.
While you’re there, enjoy hanging out with these Liars: Bram Stoker award winner Jonathan Maberry (Patient Zero, St. Martin’s), fantasy author Gregory Frost (Shadowbridge, and Lord Tophet, Del Rey/Random House), young adult author Marie Lamba (What I Meant…, Random House), contemporary novelist Kelly Simmons (Standing Still, Washington Square Press/Simon and Schuster), debut crime novelist Dennis Tafoya (Dope Thief, St. Martin’s), historical author Keith Strunk (Prallsville Mills and Stockton, Arcadia Publishing Images of America Series), mystery author Merry Jones (The Borrowed and Blue Murders, Minotaur Books), mystery author Jon McGoran who writes as D.H. Dublin (Freezer Burn, Berkley Books), and social media marketing consultant, writer and lecturer Don Lafferty.
So what’s the occasion? “Of course we love hanging out with readers and having a great time, but there is definitely a more serious reason for our celebrations,” says author Marie Lamba. “We’re throwing parties for independent bookstores because they definitely deserve our support. At a time when online retailers and big chain bookstores are squeezing out indies all over the country, we all need to step in and show how much we appreciate and need unique shops like Wellington Square Bookshop.”
As soon as you step into Wellington Square Bookshop, you know it’s unique. Maybe it’s the fountain, or the tin ceilings, or the pillars that look like they’ve been taken from an ancient Indian palace. The store occupies a 3700 sq ft space, and includes an elegant gourmet coffee shop with goodies from Delightful Desserts of West Chester.
And of course there are the books: new titles, used titles, first editions and rare books. “We are definitely NOT a Barnes and Noble,” says Jolie Miao, who works at the store. The shop refuses to carry Oprah’s book club picks or Twilight, but here you will find many a treasured title you won’t easily find elsewhere. They also offer free book appraisal services to anyone who asks. In addition, the store carries gift items including candles, book lights, notebooks and packaged coffees. For the undecided holiday shopper, there are gift cards.
The differences from the chain bookstores run deeper than the store’s beautiful architecture and eclectic selection of books. “We are chill people and we like to have fun,” says Miao. “We all read voraciously in our free time, and love to discuss books over a cup of coffee with a customer! As an independent bookstore, we really can get to know our customers.” This all translates into great service. They can personally recommend books to people, and have been known to call customers when that new book from a favorite author finally arrives or gets announced in a press release. “We love to meet bookies who share our passion,” Miao says. “We’re truly in it for the books first.”
The community is starting to notice, and is taking part in events at the store including author signings, a weekly story time, and two book clubs. The bookstore also welcomes outside book clubs to hold their meetings in the shop. And to sweeten the deal, Wellington Square Bookshop will even give these clubs free coffee and pastries, along with 20% off their club’s book purchases.
“This store is a gem,” says author Dennis Tafoya, who urges people to think of independent bookstores first before going to that online retailer or chain store. “By shopping at independents for your holiday purchases, you’ll help ensure that unique stores like Wellington Square Bookshop will be here for us for years to come.”
“The best part is that by purchasing through them, you are helping out your own neighborhood,” author Merry Jones says. “Independent bookstores are so much more than shops. They are the very heart and soul of your community. We need them, and we hope 
everyone feels the same and joins the Liars on December 5th to show support for Wellington Square Bookshop. This is going to be a great party – no lie!”
For more information, or to reserve a copy of an author’s book before the event, call Wellington Square Bookshop at 610-458-1144, or visit the Wellington Bookshop website.
