We, the Shop Dogs of Parnassus, are busy every day of the week. You already know this if you’re a frequent visitor to our store. You see us greeting customers, receiving treats, and sniffing out our favorite books seven days a week. We think Tuesday may be the most fun day. Why? In the bookstore business, Tuesday is laydown day!
When we first heard about laydown day, we thought it meant we were going to enjoy every Tuesday curled up on the cozy cushions and chairs in the middle of the store, lazing about, and reading books. But that’s not it at all! Laydown day is the day all books are published and it’s the day Nemo stars in a video series called the Laydown Diaries.
Nemo, tell everyone about Laydown day.
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Thanks friends! Nemo VanDevender here. Laydown day goes like this. On Tuesdays my mom and I drive to the bookstore early in the morning to film the Laydown Diaries, a video series starring me. As soon as we arrive at my store, I greet my friend and fellow shop dog, Barnabus. We warm up by running all over the store. Barnabus’s mom, Lindsay, tosses a ball and we race each other, loosening up our muscles and getting ready for my close up.
My two book buyers, Lindsay and Rae Ann, ordered books that have finally arrived in the store. My best friend, Peter, scans them, and lines them up on carts for everyone to sniff. They might look like chew toys, but they’re not. Teeth are for chewing our toys, not our books.
Elyse, my Director of Events, is ready to talk about all authors coming to the store and to off-site events. I check her stack to see which events I’ll attend. Readers seem to like it when I show up for events. I try to make as many as I can and meet everyone in the audience while the authors speak.
Sarah, my Director of Marketing, arrives on set with her tripod and camera. My mom sets up my stool and lifts me while I fly through the air to perch on my seat. Sarah makes sure I’m perfectly in frame for my closeup and gives the countdown signal. It’s showtime!
My mom and I start things off, then it’s books for grownups, upcoming events, books for kids and teens. It’s a wrap! One take, bloopers and all. When my feet land back on the ground, Barnabus and I run around the store, our version of the high five. I retreat to the backroom for a well-deserved treat and playtime with Jinora, Miller, and Ripley. On a really lucky day, Winnie and Roxy are in the store, too.
The next time you see me on the Laydown Diaries, I hope you see a book or two that you like and find an event to attend. That’s laydown day, friends.
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Thank you Nemo! We the Shop Dogs of Parnassus accept all belly rubs and love to bark about books. If you see us in the store or laydown day or any other day of the week, please say hello.
—The Shop Dogs of Parnassus Books
Subscribe to the Tuesday newsletter HERE to get the Laydown Diaries in your inbox with a list of books discussed. Find us on the Parnassus Books social media channels.
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