Summer is here, and oh, what a joy!

In addition to delicious weather, Dog Eared is enjoying an influx of friends from across the pond. What a delight to hear so many British accents! The U.K., I recently read, publishes more books per capita than any nation on Earth, making it the bookiest place on the planet. That reality is certainly reflected in the glowing faces of British visitors as they stagger out of our shop weighted down by gargantuan piles of quality literature. Were we perhaps too hasty in declaring our independence back in 1776?

Dog Eared, already blessed by its proximity to the wonderful Mexican craft gallery Encantada and the vintage clothing store, Retrofit, now has a new neighbor, Room 4, an emporium for all things vintagey. Walk in and be transported back to the late 20th century. Welcome to the 'hood, Room 4!

We are all atwitter! The Laziest Secretary in The World, the hilarious novel by underground superstar Jennifer Blowdryer, has now been republished by Zeitgeist Press. The story details the . . .

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Stats

I've seen disturbing statistics about the state of reading in America before, but these take the cake. I don't know if i can really do much to stem the rising tide of illiteracy, but my niece and nephew are definitely getting books for Christmas.

1/3 of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives.
42 percent of college graduates never read another book after college.
80 percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.
70 percent of U.S. adults have not been in a bookstore in the last five years.
57 percent of new books are not read to completion.
70 percent of books published do not earn back their advance.
70 percent of the books published do not make a profit.
(Source: Jerold Jenkins, www.JenkinsGroupInc.com)
53 percent read fiction, 43 percent read nonfiction.
The favorite fiction category is mystery and suspence, at 19 percent.
55 percent of fiction is bought by women, 45 percent by men

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