My mom, America’s best bookseller
This afternoon, my mom texted me photos she took of bookstore displays in our hometown featuring The Unlikely Disciple.
The first (from Oberlin’s indy bookstore, Mindfair) seems reasonably-sized, but I’m trying to imagine the conversation that led to the second. “Mrs. Roose, we really don’t have space to display 100 copies of your son’s book.” [Death glare.] “Okay, we’ll display them.”
Blog readers: I’m curious about how stores will display their copies of the book, so if you come across an interesting arrangement (or even a not-so-interesting one), e-mail it over with details (name of store, location) and I’ll post it on the blog.
Hi Kevin,
I came across your book in a Borders in Orange County, CA (of all places), placed right near the register. It was on a table of current releases. I very rarely buy hardcovers, but the picture on the cover intrigued me. I picked it up, saw the blurb from A.J. Jacobs*, read two lines of the flap copy, and bought it. And I read it all yesterday - and it was definitely worth my $24.95!
What a fantastic book. I really enjoyed it, and I’m recommending it to all my friends. I have a cousin who attended Oral Roberts University - and who I think is a wackadoodle - so it was refreshing to see the fairness and respect that you gave to all your “classmates.” Also, it’s nice to know that people who attend religious institutions like Liberty or ORU aren’t all wackadoodles. Like stars, they are Just Like Us - except maybe nicer, more polite and more thoughtful. And more likely to try to convert you, but that’s another point entirely.
Anyway, your book has been a topic of conversation at my office this morning, and I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. By the way - your mom is awesome. I like to think if I ever have a book published, my mom would do the same thing.
Nice job, and I enjoyed your blog! Do you have any more books planned? Because my entire department will pre-order it.
Good luck with the book! I hope it’s a bestseller - because it should be.
*I just finished “The Year of Living Biblically,” and I remembered you as his unpaid personal intern/slave. Apparently besides baking Ezekiel bread, you picked up tips on how to write awesome books!
— Melissa
March 23, 2009, 1:25 pm
Someone at Mindfair must have had fun putting “TUD” next to “Sex, Science and Stem Cells” and “Flannery.”
— Sarah
March 24, 2009, 12:00 am
Hi, Ijust wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your writing style. You write in a way that is clear, concise, and fun to read. Thanks!
— Herbert
March 30, 2011, 12:38 am