The Bookstore Mob Project


Buy You Are a Dog from Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane, Washington

When I tell you about this, I do not want you to reply “I do not flash, nor do I mob.” That wouldn't be funny. Instead of describing the whole thing, I'm going to copy a huge amount of the press release text (at least enough of it to get you to click over to read the rest) from the Bookstore Mob Project blog:
The Bookstore Mob Project: “Flash Mob” Event Planned for Independent Bookstores Across U.S. // Two-Minute Nationwide Reading to Celebrate Diversity of Voices, Counter “Homogenization” by Large Corporate Booksellers HARRISBURG, PA -- Get ready for the “Bookstore Mob Project.” At 2 p.m. Eastern Time (11 a.m. Pacific) on Saturday, October 1, independent bookstores across the U.S. will be the setting of[f] a boisterous celebration to show support for locally owned and operated booksellers. Precisely at that moment, “flash mobs” will descend on indie bookstores everywhere, open their favorite books (or random ones), and read aloud simultaneously for two minutes, symbolizing the immense variety of voices that can be found in America's hometown bookshops. The cacophony is meant to be heard -- if only in spirit -- by the large corporate booksellers that have threatened the survival of many local bookstores while at the same time homogenizing the nation's reading habits. Larry Portzline, a Harrisburg, PA writer and educator, conceived the Bookstore Mob Project as a way to raise awareness about the “David and Goliath” competition between small booksellers and corporate behemoths like Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com. He also created the well-received “Bookstore Tourism” concept in 2003 to promote independent bookshops as a group travel destination, taking busloads of bibliophiles on “bookstore road trips” to other cities and writing a how-to guide on the topic. Portzline said the grassroots event coincides with the last day of this year's Banned Books Week (September 24–October 1), observed by libraries and bookstores nationwide.“ ... Portzline is also proposing that the Bookstore Mob Project become an annual event on the final day of Banned Books Week. ... Portzline said independent bookstores of all sizes and in all locations are invited to take ownership of the Bookstore Mob Project on October 1 by opening their doors to participants and planning additional activities of their own choosing. Author signings, refreshments and entertainment are just some of the promotions that local booksellers might pursue, perhaps extending the two-minute ”flash“ event into a full-blown gathering.” ... Local media are encouraged to contact independent bookstores in their communities regarding pre-publicity and coverage on the day of the event. For updates as the event draws closer, visit http://bookstoremobproject.blogspot.com.
The only trouble I see? It's a little bit hokey, and pretty much strikes a stake into the heart of the idea of a flash mob, which generally would take everyone by surprise and meant, well, next to nothing. This is obviously a publicity “stunt,” intended to drum up some business for indie bookstores, a goal worthy of pursuing, for sure. But the energy might be better directed toward encouraging the indie bookstores to pay attention to what it is that the major bookstores are doing to squash them. It's not just selling books cheaper. It's selling a bookbuying “experience.” Wanna buy a book from an indie bookseller? Visit Booksense to find a store near you.

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