Parnassus Books has launched an online literary journal, Musing, which will feature everything from a behind-the-scenes look on bookstore life to conversations with authors to gift guides, articles and lists. Co-owner Ann Patchett’s blog will be a highlight of the journal, and each month employyes will share their list of favorites titles. “Musing is a way for us to share what inspires us at Parnassus Books,” co-owner Karen Hayes said. “One of our goals is that no one will ever have to say, ‘I can’t find anything to read.’”
The new site offers selections like Staff Picks for customers interested in store recommendations, Shop Dog Diaries where furry members on staff offer their insights, and Authors IRL (In Real Life). The first author interviews on Authors IRL will be Jeff Kinney (The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series) and Sue Monk Kidd (The Invention of Wings).
Mary Laura Philpott joins Parnassus as editor, producer, and writer of Musing. “I’m thrilled that Mary Laura has come on board to give us a more complete, and, let’s face it, more interesting Internet presence. I feel like all I do is read, and still it’s impossible for me to read enough to come up with a compelling list of books every month,” Patchett noted. “We need more points of view, more personality. We’ve got that now.”
