Would you read Jane Eyre if the cover looked like Twilight?

Inquiring minds want to know.

We were recently interviewed on Fox 9 News about the marketing of classics, such as Jane Eyre and Romeo and Juliet, to appeal to the new teen reader. Is it working? Are kids lured in by the gothic covers of young girls in billowing dresses standing on a cliff?

Our very own, Aaron, says no.

"From our experience, I don't think the repackaging really makes much of a difference," said Aaron Rosenberg. "Our customers come in and buy used books and new books."

Here's the full story and video clip.

Marketing has definitely worked to boost the paranormal and dystopian genre within the young adult world. But I think content rules out. Teens want a good story, with characters they can relate to. And to most teens, reading is serious business and a serious passion.

If they want to read Wuthering Heights, they'll read it. Putting a Robert Pattinson-like boy on the cover, brooding and handsome, won't affect the serious teen reader too much.

What's your opinion, dear readers?

Walker Place Book Fair

Our thanks to Ashley and all of the residents at Walker Place in 
Minneapolis for making our book fair last week so much fun. 

The many book loving residents at Walker Place maintain a beautiful library 

and have an active book club. 

Recent book club reads 
have included The Master Butchers Singing Club and The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. 

They graciously welcomed
Magers and Quinn and the fair at which books on history, local interest 
and mysteries were favorites.
A portion of the proceeds went back to Walker to be used for their library.

Author Kelly Fern 

Local authors Colin T. Nelson (Fallout), Jessie 
Chandler (Hide and Snake Murder) and Kelly Fern
(Songs of my Families) joined us. 

A thanks goes to them as 
well for sharing their time and company. 

Author Jessie Chandler

Similar to the book fairs done at schools, Magers and Quinn partners 
with local senior residences to bring books to seniors and to help raise money for their 
libraries or other special initiatives. 

Life is good when for a few hours it brings 
together books and people who love to talk books.

For more information please contact 

Gary Mazzone at 612-822-4611.

The Blog is back!

  Hello dear Readers,

It has been some time since our last post. Slowly but surely we are coming back. Update your Google Readers, tell your friends, spread the word. Stay tuned for more exciting news from all of us here at Magers and Quinn Booksellers.

Cheers!