Last year Publishers Weekly (the trade magazine of the publishing industry) published the results of a survey which asked readers what factors motivated them to buy a book. They could select any number of options. Here are the top eight answers:

1. Friend’s recommendation - 49%
2. Familiarity with author - 45%
3. Description on jacket - 32%
4. Reviews - 22%
5. Advertisement - 21%
6. Place on bestsellers list - 17%
7. Reading group pick - 16%
8. Cover design - 12%

This got me thinking about how I buy books. Like the people polled, I primarily rely on recommendations from friends, followed by familiarity with the author. I rarely get a chance to browse new books on the shelf, and generally disregard advertising. I place high value on bestseller lists because I’m keenly interested in the zeitgeist (read: pop culture).

Despite my affinity for all things popular, the best books are the ones not very many people know about. The more obscure a treasured book, the greater sense of ownership. Through New Eyes (forthcoming from Athanasius Press in a brand new edition) and Angels in the Architecture are a few of my favorites. Discoveries like these are few and far between, but whenever they turn up, I’ll be sure to share!

Definitely ‘Water Cooler’ material, but my car’s been in varying stages of refusing to start for the last 2 months. And while the old Sentra has abandoned me at rather inopportune moments (shopping in Spokane, the grocery parking lot, late for work), it’s made me much more grateful for all the teensy things God does that I don’t usually consider. So when I got it back from the mechanics today with a new ignition switch, I had to give thanks for the little engine spark—it worked right away, the very first time.

One. Nearly everyone else here loves coffee as much as I do.
Two. We all rock to different tunes, so no one ever complains about my music. (well, almost never.)
Three. Not only is reading a required component for my job, but the reading is fun.
Four. I’m able to walk to work every morning.
Five. I’m actually paid to argue with my ex-roommate (Austin). How cool is that?

When you have someone like Rachel Hoffmann working in your office, it seems quite pathetic to haul out the colored markers and butcher paper to make a sign.

I returned from a brief trip out of the country on a family emergency to be greeted with this delightful poster taped to my office door.

The three little people on the poster are: Emma M., Gabe J., and Ava D.