Sneak Attack Customer Style

Another Unfortunate Skit at Books are Beautiful

While helping a customer find a few gifts, Marcus feels someone impatiently starring him down. He refuses to acknowledge their presence.

Marcus- We have a lot of great new books on WWII
Customer- Prefect, if you can show me a few of the more recent ones
Marcus (I see you lurking, and I feel your stare but you still have to wait) Sure
Customer- I am also looking for a cookbook for my brother who recently graduated from culinary school.

The Sneak Attacker- Inches in closer, begins to sigh

Marcus (ahh you wanna play like that, a full court press. Yeah that will help you get service quicker) We have some excellent professional cookbooks and I'll also show you some international cookbooks
Customer- That's a wonderful idea
The Sneak Attacker- I just have a quick question.
Marcus (Sure) If you wait someone will be right with you
The Sneak Attacker- I have been waiting
Marcus (whatever, you've been plotting this quick question line since you walked up) What section can I point you towards.
The Sneak Attacker- I need a book for my 10yr old niece and 12 yr old nephew.
Marcus (wtf, that's not quick, where's the bathroom is quick, where's Harry Potter is quick, that's a wait my turn question.) Unfortunately, Sir you're going to have to wait. I am still assisting this customer, who was kind enough to wait while I heard you out.

The Sneak Attacker- Screams you need more employees before leaving the store

Marcus- Sorry about that
Customer- No worries that guy was an ass
Marcus (You've just earned 5 more minutes of my time)

Burn Suzanne Phillips

Burn Suzanne Phillips- Cameron is only few days into his freshman year of high school when the bullying starts. Phillips has given us a fully developed character in Cameron making Burn a very hard book to put down. Through Cameron the reader can understand how hard it is psychically and emotionally to go to school everyday when being bullied. I loved how the bully began, it was such a simple mistake. In high school its not only the big things that can turn someone into an outcast. Cameron's nightmare began when the coach accidentally directed him toward the girl's gym. The next day the football players started calling him, Cameron Diaz. The ringer leader is a junior named Rich Patterson. From the beginning Cameron is barely holding on, to assert some control in his life, Cameron plays with matches. He is attracted to the smell, the sound, and the ability to control something alive that's deadly. The bullying escalates over the semester, until there is a serious attack in the boys locker room. The next day Cameron snaps and kills someone. Phillips build up to Cameron's break down is gradual and believable. Burn is Young Adult novel though I think its appropriate for somoeone as young as 11 yrs old. It would make an excellent book club book, touching on many important issues.

Time to share

Cameron holds the lighter under the balled up paper towel. The fire doesn't spread fast, like Cameron wants it to, needs it to. The paper is wet. It smokes but doesn't flame. A dud like he is, only there's a lot more potential with fire than there is with a guy who's afraid to bend over to tie his shoe, afraid to bend over to tie his shoe, afraid he'll be like a duck with his head underwater.

Cameron feels every one of Patterson's knuckles in the soft part of his stomach, below the arch of his ribs. The breath shoots out of his lungs, his heart stops, then kicks against his chest. His body tries to curl over itself

Black Friday at Books are Beautiful

Books are Beautiful another unfortunate skit
The employee huddle is about over, soon the doors will open for holiday shoppers.

Remember everyone -We must work together today. Customers will be anxious and we must do our best to help everyone as quickly and nicely as we can. To all the seasonal employees help as best you can but do not get in the way.
The Doors are opened.

Lisa- Hi, Welcome to Books are Beautiful
Customer- Whats on sale ?
Lisa- ( I'm fine, thanks for asking) We have a sale table right over here
Customer- That's it?
Lisa- Yes
Customer- I left the department store early for a table
Lisa- (what a nice way to begin the day), Well enjoy the rest of your shopping
Tamika- I could have told you to leave that customer alone.
Lisa- She looked okay to me
Tamika- They all look okay to you. John, what did you think?
John- Its too early.

A grandmother walks toward the help desk
Lisa- Your turn Tamika.
Tamika- Why me?
Lisa- I just went and John's not up yet.
Tamika- Fine, I love grandmothers.
Grandmother- I need some help please.
Tamika- Yes, how can I help you today
Grandmother- Well I was looking for some books for my grands.
Tamika- I can show you some great titles.
Grandmother- Do you have Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys?
Tamika - Yes, if you like I can show you some more contemporary mysteries, your grands may like as well .
Grandmother- All I want is Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, nothing else.
Tamika ( sorry grands I tried) They're right over here. Enjoy the rest of your holiday shopping.
Tamika returns to the help desk.
Lisa- So how did it go?
Tamika- She was a nice lady, but all she wanted were grandma gift books
Lisa- Anne of Green Gables?
Tamika - No, Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys,
Lisa- Well at least she was nice
Tamika- True

Another customer is about to approach the help desk
Tamika- I am not taking that one.
Lisa- Why?
Tamika- You'll see, lets give her to John. That will wake him up. Where did he go?
Lisa- Coffee
Tamika- Crap, Hey, how can I help you today?
Customer- I need a book for my sister- in- law
Tamika- Okay what does she like to read?
Customer- I don't know?
Tamika- Does she like fiction or non fiction?
Customer- I told you I don't know, my husband said she likes to read and to get her a book, so I am getting her a book.
Tamika- Well we also carry gift cards.
Customer- I don't want to get a gift card, they're too impersonal
Tamika (you will not ruin my day) Well let me show you a few titles. How about Heart is Home- Its a sweet story about a family that reconnects.
Customers- hmm I don't think so, that doesn't sound like her.
Tamika- How about a biography
Customer- I don't remember her talking about people at dinner parties
Tamika- What do you think she would like?
Customer- I really don't know her all that well. That's why I am asking for help. What's the new hot title
Tamika ( rolling my eyes is wrong rolling my eyes is wrong) Let me think a moment. I got it, you must get your Sister in law - Sunday is for Rest, Its the authors first books but its been getting rave reviews, we can hardly keep it in stock.
Customer- What's it about?
Tamika- Since its been flying off the shelves I haven't had a chance to look at it
Customer- Let me see it
Tamika takes customer over to Sunday is for Rest.
Customer- This looks good, I'll take it. Thanks so much
Tamika- You're so welcome, enjoy the rest of your holiday shopping

Tamika returns to the help desk
Lisa- Well that didn't look too bad
Tamika- Yea right, she was one of those I don't know what I am looking for, don't know what they like but everything you suggest is wrong customers
John- I hate those
Tamika- She was suppose to be yours
John- Lisa told me. How did you finish with her so quickly?
Tamika- I pulled the let me think a moment trick
Lisa- I don't know that one
John- I'll explain, When you get a customer who continues to say no , after the third or forth no, you pretend to think long and hard about your next your next suggestion. In reality though its a nice book there' s nothing special about it.
Tamika- I pulled it after the second no. Its the holiday season I am playing on a curve.
Lisa- That actually works
Tamika and John - Yes
Tamika- Though you must sell it up hard. You only get one chance to use the let me think a moment trick, it loses most of its magic after the first go

The store is beginning to fill up with customers. The books of beautiful employees must move away from the desk.

John- Looks like we're all up.
Lisa- Any last tips
John- When you come back up to the help desk, don't point to a customer, just say I'll help who is next. This way you avoid picking the wrong person
Tamika- Remember the moonwalk?
Lisa- What
Tamika- When you get a customer who wants to keep you there like a personal shopper, while they decide - moonwalk -slowly start to back away, while saying positive things like oh you can't go wrong either way. They will love it, happy holidays.
Lisa- Thanks guys,
Tamika- You're welcome, and I have some aspirin in my locker, you're free to help yourself John - Thanks
Lisa- I don't really get headaches but thanks anyway
Tamika- Unfortunately today you will.

Hot Girl Dream Jordan (From Brooklyn to The Bronx)

Hot Girl by Dream Jordan . Kate has spent all of her 14yrs in the foster care system. Her life is finally starting to turn around, she's left her gang , stopped hanging with the wrong crowd, started controlling her temper and is getting A's in school. Even though Kate's been living with the Johnson's for 6 months she still worries they will send her back to a group home. Its summer time, Kate's best friend Felicia is in South Africa. Kate decided to stay in Brooklyn for the summer. She befriends Naleejah a hot girl, who makes over her tom boy image. Kate uses this makeover to catch the eye of her friend Charles. Kate is book smart, street smart, funny, quick and observant. Her quick wit had me laughing out loud. Kate doesn't let being in foster care keep her from dreaming and setting goals. Hot Girl gets better with each page, I loved watching Kate stay true to herself. Her new way of life is tested by Naleejah, a girl who's hotness could not overshadow her shadiness. One of my favorite characters is Kate's social worker Tisha, she cares enough to stay on Kate's case. Once you pick up Hot Girl there is no putting it down. Hot Girl is up for the quick picks for reluctant readers award for 2009 with the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

Time to Share Directions to the clinic
I ran down the address and gave Naleejah directions to a T. I've escorted so many group homegirls to the cootie clinic (don't laugh, that's what we called it), I could get to that grimy old building with my eyes closed. "Can you come with me?" asked Naleejah. I paused, and then said, "Sorry, I can't" Man I felt so bad for having to say no. But Tisha is no -nonsense when it comes to keeping appointments. Tisha was meeting me on her own time, something she didn't have to do. If I fronted on Tisha, she would be furious with me.

I was flipping through a catalog and was lucky enough to come across Hot Girl. I thought to myself what are the chances I'd find Hot Girl the morning after I finished Kendra by Coe Booth another Young Adult title about a 14yr old black girl living in one of the five boroughs. So I couldn't resist linking the two post.
(From Brooklyn to The Bronx) and I know this will never happen but I would love for Kate and Kendra's to meet, maybe somewhere neutral like the city. I believe the two would get along nicely.

My interview with Dream Jordan

Kendra Coe Booth (From The Bronx to Brooklyn)

Kendra by Coe Booth I was very excited when I heard this was coming out because I loved Booth's first award winning novel Tyrell and I wasn't the only one. This novel is once again set in the Bronxwood. Kendra's mother Renee had her when she was only 14 yrs old. Kendra was raised by her grandmother sleeping in the bedroom that was once her mothers, while Renee earned degree after degree. The book opens with Kendra and her grandmother returning from Renee's graduation ceremony. 14yr old Kendra believes now that Renee has her PHD, she will come back for her. Still there are excuses, feeling unwanted Kendra's life begins to spin out of control, its part indecision and part I don't care anymore. Its a gradual downward spiral and that's the beauty of Kendra. As you're reading it you never once think this could never happen but rather- if only Renee's mother were around, if only Kendra' grandmother trusted her more, if only that boy would stop lingering. Booth's characters are special because they're so around the way and she places them in very realistic situations. My heart want out to Kendra when she would sit in her room sketching houses.
Time to share

Nana doesn't knock
About twenty minutes later, while I'm sitting on my bed picking on the grapes and trying to finish the boring chapter for world history, the phone rings and Nana comes down the hall and opens the door without even knocking. She never knocks and I don't have the energy to get mad anymore.

Renee's Pictures
And Nana had to notice all those pictures Renee had stuck into the frame of the big mirror over her futon. Pictures of everyone, all her friends from home and school, pictures of her and Nana, and even a picture of herself when she was a baby. But not one picture of me anywhere. I tried not to let it bother me, but it did, anyway. And if Nana can't understand that, that's her problem.
The day after I finished Kendra came across Hot Girl by Dream Jordan, another YA title about a 14 yr old black girl living in one of the five boroughs. I thought to myself what are the chances I would read these two books back to back. If you're wondering very slim since I've been meaning to read Kendra for months and I didn't even know about Hot Girl until the day I started it. So I couldn't resist linking the two post. (From The Bronx to Brooklyn) I know this would never happen but I would love for Kendra and Kate to meet, maybe somewhere neutral like the city. I think they would get along nicely.