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Best Supporting Bookstore: Octavia Books

Octavia Books co-owner Tom Lowenburg knows that New Orleans is becoming a moviemaking destination, but that doesn't mean he was expecting the crew of The Revenge of the Bridesmaids, starring Raven-Symoné, to cast his store as a location in the upcoming ABC Family movie.

"The producers first came by Octavia Books for a site visit," Lowenburg said. "On very short notice, less than two days before shooting, they notified me that they wanted to use Octavia Books." The store already had an author event scheduled for that evening, but the producers agreed to work around it, starting immediately after the event ended.

The film crew moved New Orleans-specific books and signage away from the cameras, but otherwise the producers had no trouble turning Octavia into a "New York bookstore." And one aspect of the store's décor particularly drew their attention: "The art director stopped by the day before and saw our big 'Eat Sleep Read' IndieBound sign and wanted to get permission to use it," Lowenburg said.

The Revenge of the Bridesmaids will be hitting the airwaves sometime in July.

(Photo credit: Tom Lowenburg)

MBA Partners With Twin Cities TV Program

The Midwest Booksellers Association (MBA) is teaming up with local "magazine format television show" Twin Cities Live to promote books that will appeal to Wisconsin and Minnesota readers.

MBA executive director Susan Walker and area booksellers will appear with Twin Cities Live co-host Elizabeth Ries to share four titles at a time. The segments will run twice each month, beginning May 3, and Ries will also host a quarterly book club on the show.

Ries will choose the book club titles. Booksellers will choose the featured books from among MBA catalog titles, Midwest Connections picks, and Midwest Booksellers' Choice Award lists, but publishers will pay to have the book appear on Twin Cities Live.


Two "Best" Bookstores in Town

Two Minnesota bookstores have been named best in their categories in the annual City Pages Best Of Awards. Magers & Quinn Booksellers, in Minneapolis, was named Best Bookstore (Used) - 2010, and Micawber's, in St. Paul, was named Best Bookstore (New) - 2010.

City Pages declared Micawber's "the sort of browser's paradise that offers something for all but the most depraved shopper." Magers & Quinn "has it all: an attractive space, roomy layout, friendly staff, and convenient hours. Its stock of used books is not only massive, it's diverse and well chosen."