There's a hot vibe in our hometown Barnes and Noble (Mandeville, Louisiana)__and a whole new set of the literary young and beautiful.  See, my demo (media term for people interested in a particular brand/product/book) has typically been women 25-54, but Saturday I saw a very refreshing book happening...it is now de rigeur for twenties ladies and men to be into real literature.  I'm not talking vampire books but Austen, Thoreau, poetry...and they're not required reading!  They're once again studying English as majors and forming book clubs--very beatnik kinda events.  Case in point, the twentyish young lady escorting her grandfather in for a copy of Confereracy Of Dunces, and the notion female authors are the new orbiters of social trends.  I personally am thrilled and see this as a welcome sign of the economic times--intelligence is the true commodity.

Just like people, there are some places you just fall for in an instant.  Call it chemistry or that they just seem to do what makes your day feel on time, then you rest in that place knowing all is well with your soul.  We discovered on Alabama's coast a bookstore that is tearing up the literary scene--a spawling indy-owned "mom and pop" that's far from small town.  Tucked in the charming county limits of Fairhope, its orange and iron two-story facade wraps the corner along a whole block, holding inside a treasury of working knowledge of titles and a fantastic children's section.

On any given evening, there's an event in the Upstairs Reading Room, last night, my dramatic reading of "The Broken Fall" to a
musical medley by acoustic guitarist Blind Dog Mike.  It was though stars were falling on Alabama, the night silenced by just words, chords and amazing peace.  www.pageandpalette.com

As the Book Tour officially launched yesterday, it made me wonder what makes an American girl, well, American.  It all began at approximately 2pm that afternoon in Barnes and Noble, when young ladies with very pressing faces passed the signing table.  On and on they streamed, a phenomena unto themselves, as dolls flung over shoulders and in backpacks accompanied their "moms" to a VIP meeting.  I had to check it out, and discovered in the kids arena an American subculture--doll lovers.  And I wondered why we are so unique--enough to have our very own brand? 

I think its the spirit, the charm and the irresistible spark opportunity gives the eye.  We, ladies, make things happen.  One mother brought her daughter to the table to meet a "real author."  Really, and I felt pretty mature and responsible.  Then, minutes after, the whole Blue Angel thing took over, or the sheer pride you feel in this military town,  and I left wanting a pair of cutoff blue jeans and a heavy dose of metal.  Oh yes, and one of those American flag bikinis.  My rep declined to comment.