You, Too, Can Support It’s a Book!

What’s a book? Why a book? Three dozen authors read from Lane Smith’s popular story It’s a Book! about the advantages of print books. These readings were recorded a few weeks ago at the 2013 SIBA Trade Show in New Orleans.

Playful and lighthearted with a subversive twist that is signature Lane Smith, It’s a Book is a delightful manifesto on behalf of print in the digital age. This satisfying, perfectly executed picture book has something to say to readers of all stripes and all ages.

In support of print books and indie bookstores, a group of authors gathered together to make a video where they all read aloud from Lane Smith’s It’s a Book. The project was devised by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA).

Authors graciously and often gleefully stepped into a makeshift studio to read their lines with little notion of what the final outcome would look like, but nevertheless believing in the good cause the project was designed to highlight: the benefit of print books and indie bookstores.

Sandra Brown, Michael Buckley, Karen White, George Bishop, Susan Crandall, Walter Jury, Jenny Han, John Milliken Thompson and Gigi Amateau are just a few of the approximately  three dozen authors you will see in this two-minute video.  The closing line is read by Amy Tan and her dog.  (There are more surprises in the credits.)

SIBA is looking for more people — authors, bloggers, booksellers, book lovers — to join their radical underground movement for good by sharing and linking to the It’s a Book! video, in the hopes that this underground print and indie partnership will erupt nationwide.

Want to join in? Just post a link to this blog post or direct to the It’s a Book! video. You can embed the video as well, as I’ve done here.

Support the authors featured in the video by shopping at your local southeastern independent bookstore: http://stars.authorsroundthesouth.com/venue/statesort.