The Kite Runner is the best book I've read this year. The haunting and magnificent novel truly deserves the heaping piles of accolades it has received over the last couple of years. It has been the fodder of discussion for tens of thousands of book clubs all over the country. It has dominated the bestseller racks in thousands of bookstores from coast to coast.
So I cannot for the life of me understand why The Kite Runner won't just let me dominate my one measly little bestseller rack. Shortly after its release, ANECDOTAL, set in the heart of San Francisco's Marina district, hit number one at the great Books Inc. bookstore, located in the heart of San Francisco's Marina district. Of course, it had to unseat The Kite Runner to attain this lofty perch.
But then, quickly and mysteriously, The Kite Runner re-asserted its dominance. I pictured elite teams of seasoned book marketers and publicists in some dark, high tech situation room--a la War Games-- working the phones like madmen, striking bargains with local book group power brokers and tempting young bibliophiles with the promise of a cheap literary thrill. Over the next two weeks, The Kite Runner regained its throne while nearly forcing ANECDOTAL off of the bestseller list.
That's when the ANECDOTAL marketing machine responded. And our covert methods are beginning to pay dividends. The Kite Runner may rule the rest of the world...but we play by a different set of rules here in the Marina. 
I take you go to the bookstore every day just to see where you end up? (Or are you sly and really just moving the books around to make up a great "anecdote?")
Posted by: Out4Blood | 30 May 2005 at 09:08 PM