She's ba-a-ack!

A Holly update:

We held a-ahem-perfectly legal poker tournament on Saturday night in Holly's honor and raised $300.00 for her vet bills! That brings the Total of Holly's donations to...(drumroll)...$1109.00! It's incredible. I never expected people to be so generous. I'll add up Holly's vet bills tonight and see how close we've gotten.

Thank you again and again to everyone who's donated and/or said kind words about Holly.

More good news! Guess who's sitting on my lap at this very moment at the counter of Babbo's Books. Holly! She's back, for the time being, at the store. I, for one, think she's much happier here than at home. Come and visit!

Agreed!

'Tis the good reader that makes the good book.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Another one bites the dust...or goes multi-national.

I guess it depends on your point of view.

Abebooks.com, one of the largest book selling sites recently got acquired by Amazon. Now, I am not opposed to online selling, even though it probably is the biggest reason independent bookstores have been going under. I sell on Alibris.com, because it is the easiest way for an indie to stay afloat, even thrive.

I used to order exclusively from Abebooks and Alibris, though, because unlike Amazon these two sites specialized in rare books. Now that Abebooks is essentially Amazon, I will order used books exclusively from Alibris.com, at least until another indie seller pops up. But that begs the question, are independent online sellers even independent anymore?

Alibris also lists their books on other, more popular sites like B&N, Borders, and Half.com. I have certainly benefited from this union, selling twice as many books online as usual. So, is there a difference between Alibris working with Half.com and Abebooks being bought by Amazon?

I long ago rationalized selling online. At least the money coming in is going to an independent bookstore, mine. Can I rationalize my books appearing on a huge website like Half.com? On the one hand, I'm thrilled to be selling so many. On the other, I feel I'm no different from the millions who support Amazon that drive small bookstores out of business.

However, people who buy my books through B&N and Half.com are still supporting an indie store as opposed to the huge corporations.

My old business teacher taught that the most important quality for a thriving business is flexibility. The book business is not the same as it was 20 or even 10 years ago. In order for us to survive as independents, we need to expand into new markets. Alibris needs to build coalitions with B&N. I need to sell books online.

However, we do not have to sell out completely. We don't need to give our money to Amazon and Abebooks. We can keep funneling money to the independent sellers, whether online or at the brick-and-mortars. And, in that way, keep a big part of the book culture that we love alive.

On a lighter note!

"I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman,
'Where's the self-help section?' She said if she told me,
it would defeat the purpose."

-George Carlin

How the heck is Holly? (the second Holly update)

I've got some bad news to write which is why I've put it off for a few days.

On Wednesday, the vet called me. Holly's numbers (i.e. the level of toxicity in her blood) had gone up, back to where they were when I first brought her in.

Since then, I've made a renewed effort to get her to eat so that when she gets the test again on Tuesday, the numbers will have gone down a little.

I'm thinking about bringing her to a different vet, trying cat acupuncture (which is actually supposed to help), and trying holistic medicines. She's only 3 1/2, this can't be the end.

Also, I want to thank everyone again for their support, financial and emotional. Since last Tuesday night, a week and a half ago, when we found out she was sick, we have raised $431.50. This is incredibly helpful; to be honest, it will help me pay the rent at the end of the month. I've been absolutely stunned by how many people ask about Holly's well-being, who say they think about her and pray for her.

I will ask the vet if he thinks it's wise for her to come back to work. I think the attention and love might do her good. And I miss her during the day.

A bright, shining idea

Amaya, the elementary school aged daughter of a customer, Eduardo, just came into the store to announce that she will be selling her original artwork to benefit Holly.

This art sale will happen in the next few weeks, she informed me.

I am overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness of everyone.

Holly Update - the crazy cat's home!

She's doing slightly better. Amy & I have to give her fluid from an IV twice a day and pills and try to get her to eat. Needless to say, it's not the easiest thing in the world but the fact that she's out of the hospital and at home lying in the sun makes me happy.

The goal is now to get enough fluids in her that she wants to eat. She drank a bit of water this morning. When she's drinking water and eating, then no more IV! I will have to keep her on a low-protein, kidney-friendly diet. But she'll be fine.

Thanks for the well-wishes and prayers, everyone! It's good to know Holly's got so many people thinking about her.