October 30, 2006

Lit Chick

First Editions Club

Some would consider poring over The New York Times Book Review a bore. But not you, smarty-pants. You find paperbacks more satisfying than People, embrace labels like “bookworm,” and forgo TV for modern literature.

Which is why you joined Newtonville Books First Editions Club. Now, the locally owned shop sends you a first-edition (signed) copy of whatever page-turner has just hit shelves. Through it, you’ve discovered up-and-coming local writers as well as a few established scribes.

Why, just this month you got cozy with your copy of The Keep by Jennifer Egan and now anxiously await next month’s delivery of Ben Fountain’s novel, Brief Encounters with Che Guevara. And after you’ve read it (maybe twice) you’ll shelve it next to the others to create a collection that represents what — and how — you think.

Meaning, of course, strictly by the book.

Newtonville Books, 296 Walnut Street, Newton (617-244-6619 or newtonvillebooks.com).