Robin Agnew
A heart shaped sticky that says: "Contact me if you'd like a review copy."
A notecard taped to the hold shelf with important dates: new Louise Penny, new Julia Spencer-Fleming, new Janet Evanovich, new Sue Grafton. We could either memorize these dates or have this card for reference for the many, many times we are asked each day about the new books by these particular ladies.
An old postcard of Jack Benny and Marilyn Monroe. Jack Benny isn't wearing his glasses, and doesn't look like Jack Benny. Even people old enough to rememeber him can't tell who he is (he looks kind of happy, though).
Various Aunt Agatha's cards signed by authors (I should count them sometime). A few of my favorites:
"I almost died in Ann Arbor (really!)" - Dennis Lehane (I'm not sure what this means, but Dennis Lehane wrote it, so I love it.)
"To Olive, Edward Marston". I didn't speak up (this was at a conference) and Marston thought my name was Olive. He was the first british author I ever met, and I was intimidated!
"From Jeanne M. Dams, who wishes Agatha were her aunt!"
"Stay open - be lucky. - Liza Cody"
Aunt Agatha's cards taped to the bookshelves that say "If you like so- and so, you may also like..." For example, "If you like Amanda Cross, you may also like Kate Flora."
Many posters of enlarged book covers sent by authors - some especially meaningful for various reasons. The Salaryman's Wife and The Devil in Music by Kate Ross: meaningful because Ross signed with Massey shortly before she died. The River Sorrow by Craig Holden: meaningful because at this launch signing (the first time I tracked down an author from a newspaper article) Loren Estleman showed up to check Craig out. They both had the same trenchcoat. I felt like I was in a noir film.
A couple FBI wanted posters back in the true crime section (most notably Andrew Cunanan's). An FBI agent stationed in Ann Arbor who I think was slightly bored used to peruse the true crime books during his lunch hour. He gave us the posters when he retired.
And many, many photographs. A favorite: one of Miriam Grace Monfredo being questioned by an especially astute customer. In the background is a cardboard cut out of Uma Thurman, dressed as Poison Ivy - she looks like part of the discussion.
That's the tour for today. Stop by sometime!
