Part-time Columbus resident Lucky Diaz’s “Paletero Man” was the top children’s seller for the year at the local Viewpoint Books.
In a city known for its creative design, perhaps we can add another boast to the community resume: creative writers.
Viewpoint Books, the local independent book store in downtown Columbus, has released its list of top-selling releases for 2021.
And nine of the top 30 bestsellers were penned by local or regional authors.
Store co-owner Beth Stroh, long a supporter of local authors, mentioned that most top titles were new in the year. Three books stood out, though.
“Paul Hoffman’s ‘Wicked Columbus, Indiana,’ Tamara Stone Iorio’s Columbus pictorial history books, and Nancy Kriplen’s ‘J. Irwin Miller: The Shaping of an American Town’ have enduring appeal for visitors and neighbors alike,” Stroh said.
Iorio’s celebrated coffee table book, “Bartholomew County: Celebrating 200 Years 1821-2021” was so popular at Viewpoint and elsewhere that it initially sold out within days of its release.
Hoffman’s book featuring some hard-to-believe local happenings was published more than four years ago, but has popped up on the store’s weekly bestseller lists so often in that time that friends have ribbed him that his impact is a Beatles-esque feat in publishing, given the work’s popularity and endurance with locals.
“Most titles made the list because many people near and far bought their copies at Viewpoint Books or from our website,” Stroh said. “The No. 1 position for ‘Laughter Yoga’ is largely the result of a single loyal customer repeatedly buying multiple copies throughout the year to gift to friends. It’s proof that one person can make an enormous difference to small businesses like Viewpoint Books.”
She mentioned that the local outlet also has featured exclusive, signed copies from local writers and publishers of bestselling world-renowned authors – such as Jan Brett, Malcolm Gladwell, and Mitch Albom – whenever possible.
“We are so fortunate that talented local authors and loyal customers value Viewpoint Books’ presence in our community,” Stroh said, “and are committed to selling and buying books at our independent bookstore.”
