First Editions Club

In April, Ann Patchett visited my local bookstore to promote her newest novel State of Wonder. During her visit, she answered a lot of questions about her bookstore Parnassus Books. In 2011, lamenting the decline of the independent bookstore - and the demise of pretty much every bookstore in Nashville, Tennessee -  Ms. Patchett opened Parnassus Books. Parnassus just celebrated its one year anniversary and is doing quite well. If you're interested in learning a bit more about the story behind the store the NY Times ran an article back in 2011 right before Parnassus was set to open. And for something straight from the horse's mouth - here's an article written by Ann Patchett herself for the December 2012 issue of The Atlantic.

One of the things that caught my attention during her visits was her mention of the Parnassus First Editions Club. First Editions Club combines the love of owning a physical book with the love of a good suggestion. It's basically the employee suggestion wall at your local bookstore straight to your house! Here's how it works - each month, for the cost of the book plus a small shipping fee, members receive a signed first edition recommended by the Parnassus staff. I've been a member since May and Parnassus has continuously chosen winners! I'm a few books behind in my First Editions Club reading but hope to catch up within the next month and a half. Here are the books I've received so far -

Parnassus First Editions Club

Jen Quintanilla's favorite books »

Just in case you're wondering - YES, I did in fact receive a signed first edition of JK Rowling's newest book. Here's my proof.

And yes, all I paid was shipping and the cost of the book. Did I hug the book when it arrived? Absolutely!

I've really enjoy being a member of the First Editions Club because, for the most part, these are books I wouldn't have necessarily picked up had they not arrived on my doorstep. I have yet to be disappointed. If you want to join you can do so here. Also, you have time to return the books once they arrive and you can put a hold on your membership at any time. For example, one of the selected books was one I'd won in a Penguin contest, so I asked to put my account on hold for one month. Parnassus skipped over the book I already owned and the following month the next pick arrived in my mail box. No hassle!

More importantly, if you join the Parnassus Books First Editions Club, you'll be supporting a great small business and helping (what I consider to be a national treasure) an independent bookstore which, at this point in the game, is basically the love child of a unicorn and the Little Engine that Could. So consider joining or at the very least watch out for the First Editions Club's newest picks and if one catches your eye place an order with Parnassus!