Cool Idea of the Day: Birthday Shopping Spree

[eviltammy]

From Shelf Awareness (a book info thingy I subscribe to)

"Sheryl Cotleur, the buyer at Book Passage, Corte Madera, Calif., shared the following great story with us:

We had a wonderful thing just happen at Book Passage. A woman named Diana Phillips gave her partner, Diane Allevato, 63 minutes of shopping here for books for her 63rd birthday. Diane came in with lists (she prepared for weeks), her partner used a timer and off she went. I was given notice and did some decorating beforehand and had signs made welcoming her.

I was allowed to help her by pulling titles and suggesting others I thought she'd like, and Elaine Petrocelli pushed the cart and also helped find some titles already selected. They also brought two friends, and after it was over we treated them to candlelight dinner in our cafe with several courses and fine wine, white tablecloth, etc. Diane ended up with 73 books, which is pretty amazing as she tried to spend a few minutes with any book she wasn't sure of to consider its appeal. She is known to us as a terrific reader, but still was thrilled when her partner came up with this idea for her birthday.

We all had great fun with this; the gifter and giftee have thanked us several times for how Book Passage fussed over them and even decorated, and of course we were thrilled that someone would think up this idea. We hope this is a trend that will continue!! "

Oh, I'd love that :)

Comments

[elismor.livejournal.com]

Wow. I don't think I could come up with a list of 73 books in 63 HOURS, let alone minutes.

[otterevil.livejournal.com]

Well, I think the person had previous notice of the present and already had a list. So the time was spent finding the books and deciding which ones she wanted.

I think I'd start my list by filling in gaps in series that I own :) Then the rest would be just fun.

[rainbow.livejournal.com]

wow, what a COOL idea!!

[otterevil.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? I'd love that :)