Eat Sleep Read

One of the most familiar slogans and posters you will see displayed prominently in independent booksellers throughout the world just got a big vote of confidence by President Barack Obama.  The 2011 American Booksellers Association’s Winter Institute, known as Wi6, was held in Washington DC in mid January.  The annual 3 day bookseller educational conference brought 500 booksellers from all over the world.  Joining the American Booksellers Association this year were booksellers from Sweden, Great Britain, New  Zealand, Norway, Australia, Israel and Denmark.

The Board of Directors of the American Booksellers Association continued a tradition that dates back to the administration of Herbert Hoover of presenting books to the President of the United.   The group was welcome into the Oval Office by President Obama and each Board Member had the opportunity to present the president with a book chosen for him and his family.  Books Inc. president/CEO and co-owner, Michael Tucker, now serving as President of ABA’s Board of Directors (second from the left in the above photo) presented Mr. Obama with Atlantic by Simon Winchester.  After, the above photo opportunity and 15 minutes chatting , President Obama presented each visitor with a signed copy of his book, The Audacity of Hope and his parting words, in reference to his book were “I don’t want to see these on eBay”…  You never will, Mr. President, you can count on that!