The Boston Book Festival Was Awesome!

The 2011 Boston Book Festival was an astounding success for the Godine team. We arrived promptly at 8:30am and proceeded to deliberate with surprising passion as to the best arrangement for our 200 books. Following several ingenious innovations in design, we acquired some tissue paper and scotch tape and transformed our cardboard boxes to make a makeshift (but very professional) side display.

Even before we’d finished setting up visitors were trickling into our tent. We participated in the festival’s scavenger hunt for children by featuring our very local book Catie Copley's Great Escape by Deborah Kovacs about the retired guide dog and current employee (she has her own business card!) of the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, whose red awning was visible just across the street from our tent. Even better, Miss Catie and her caretaker Joe paid us a celebrity visit, and Catie very good-naturedly helped tell the story of her great adventure to Quebec. She was quite content to receive so many scratches behind the ears.

Soon the Godine team was in need of replenishment, and with characteristic spirit we braved the line for Roxy’s Gourmet Grilled Cheese. It was well worth the wait – butternut squash, baked apples, rum-soaked raisins and caramelized onions! Grilled cheese has entered its renaissance.

Overall, the day was a great success. As an intern, I was touched by the number of supporters who came to express their appreciation for our books. We make books and write blogs with an audience in mind, but you always wonder if anyone’s paying attention until you shake their hand. Thanks to all our supporters!