Peggy Archer
Children's Author

Saturday, November 30, 2013 is Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.

Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Conceived by American Express, the first Small Business Saturday was celebrated on November 27th in 2010 as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which target big retail and online shopping. In contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local.

My favorite small business is Main Street Books in downtown, historic St. Charles, Missouri. Owner, Vicki Erwin, welcomes visitors with a smile and a cheerful greeting, depicting the typical atmosphere of an independent bookstore. It feels like family when you walk in the door.

Check out authors and events at STL indie bookstores, and the STL indie bookstore facebook page.

Find out more about Small Business Saturday on their facebook page.

To find a small business or independent bookstore in your area check your local news station, your local newspapers, or search online.

Happy small business shopping!  Read More 

Need some last minute gift ideas? Think books!

Yesterday I visited Vicki Erwin at her bookstore, Main Street Books, in downtown old St. Charles. I love this store. It has such a cozy, friendly atmosphere. People come in and out, calling out greetings by first name, like family.

When our children were small, one of their Christmas gifts was always a book. But books make wonderful gifts, for any age, at any time of year.

There are many perks to reading a book. Here are just a few.

1. Reading reduces stress and helps you relax. Psychologists believe that reading eases the tensions in muscles and the heart. A person only needs to read, silently, for six minutes to slow down the heart rate and ease tension in the muscles. So take some time to read when you come home from work. Or fall asleep at night reading a good book.

2. Reading makes you smarter. Reading is an active mental process. It stimulates your mind. Books make you use your brain. By reading, you think more, and become smarter.

3. Reading increases vocabulary. Your brain determines meaning through repetition and context. Language in children’s books is likely to be more sophisticated than your average conversation.

4. Reading improves concentration and focus. Reading books takes brain power. It requires you to focus on what you’re reading for long period. Since you must concentrate when you read, you will get better at it.

5. Reading improves memory. Reading requires remembering details, facts and figures, and helps you stretch your memory muscles.

6. Reading improves analytical thinking. Readers improve their general knowledge and are able to spot patterns quicker, which in turn gives your analytical skills a boost.

7. Reading builds self-esteem. By reading books, you become better informed which translates into higher self esteem.

8. Reading helps you socially.The more information you gather the better conversationalist you will become.

9. Reading helps writers. The more you read, the more ideas you have.

10. Reading is an enjoyable, inexpensive form of entertainment. A visit to the library or your local bookstore is sure to fill your need on any topic of interest.

Here are some reading recommendations for children from Vicki at Main Street Books.

Children’s Fiction
THIS IS NOT MY HAT, by Jon Klassen, Candlewick, HC, 15.99.
PETE THE CAT SAVES CHRISTMAS, by James Dean and Eric Litwin, Harper Collins, HC, 17.99. Pete has many other adventures in his other books also available.
SNOWMEN AT WORK, by Caralyn and Mark Buehner, Dial, HC, 16.00.
Children Non-Fiction
SAFARI, by Dan Kainen, Workman Publishing Company, HC, 24.95.

Youth Fiction
THE THIRD WHEEL, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, by Jeff Kinney, Harry N. Abrams, HC, 13.95.
LIAR & SPY, by Rebecca Stead, Wendy Lamb Books, HC, 15.99.
EVERYDAY, by David Levithan, Knopf, HC, 17.99.
SON, by Lois Lowry, Houghton Mifflin, HC, 17.99.
THE FALSE PRINCE, by Jennifer A. Nielsen, Scholastic, HC, 17.99.
WHO COULD THAT BE AT THIS HOUR, by Lemony Snicket, Little, Brown Books, HC, 17.99.
ELEMENTAL, by Antony John, Dial, HC, 17.99.
VENOM, by Fiona Paul, Philomel, HC, 17.99.

Adult Fiction
ART FORGER, by B.A. Shapiro, Algonquin, HC, 23.95.
SUTTON, by J.R. Moehringer, Hyperion, 27.99.
THE BOOKSELLER, by Mark Pryor, Seventh Street, PB, 15.95.
PIGEON PIE MYSTERY, by Julia Stuart, Doubleday, 24.95.
PARIS WIFE, by Paula Mclain, Ballantine, PB, 15.00.
SECRET KEEPER, by Kate Morton, Atria, 26.99.
MRS. QUEEN TAKES THE TRAIN, by William Kuhn, HC, Harper, 25.99.

Adult Non Fiction
BITTER BREW, by William Knoedelseder, Harper Business, HC, 27.99.
ONE LAST STRIKE, by Tony LaRussa, William Morrow, HC, 27.99.
THOMAS JEFFERSON, THE ART OF POWER, by Jon Meacham, Random House, HC, 35.00.


Main Street Books
307 South Main Street
St. Charles, MO 63301

www.mainstreetbooks.net
636-949-0105

Twitter:@mainstreetbooks
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mainstreetbooks

Merry Christmas to all!
And to all, a good book!  Read More