BookStream, a new wholesaler that will focus on supplying independent bookstores in the northeast, plans to open in the "late fall." The company has signed a lease for a 100,000-sq.-ft. space in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., which is currently being remodeled. Initially BookStream will stock 40,000 titles but will expand the title base as business growth permits.

The company aims to help level the playing field for indies, as its president, Jack Herr, a former Random House distribution executive, put it when speaking with Shelf Awareness. "We will offer 42% off retail for every bookseller in the region, with no minimums on orders or volumes. We also won't negotiate better deals with some customers that other customers would in effect subsidize." The company will offer free freight on orders $150 retail or above. "It's an excellent discount for most booksellers," Herr commented.

BookStream aims to run a "lean and mean" operation, attract customers via its flat-rate policies and get a "slight edge in costs relative to competitors" because of a strong computer system. In several years, Herr plans to develop technology that will allow the company to make "major cost reductions," help the wholesaler ship efficiently ones and twos from an array of titles in shipments of all sizes and do such things as "make it easier for customers to put orders on shelves. Our motivation for going into business drive from the idea that we can achieve technological and economic benefits to our customers and to the company."

Herr said that he has been working on the project since 1998, and had finally received sufficient funding to open. Rich Stone, a former banking executive, is the CFO.

Other personnel include v-p, sales and marketing, Maury McClelland, who until recently was head of sales at Koen Book Distributors; buyer Ken Abramson, also from Koen; and another buyer who is currently a bookseller.

Herr acknowledged that the company's timing, following the closing of Koen this summer, is "serendipitous," but added, "We couldn't have anticipated Koen going out of business. We've been planning this for a long while, and it just happened to coincide." He continued, "I know Bob [Koen], and I'm saddened he didn't make it." Herr pointed out that Koen's business with booksellers had always been solid.

BookStream has been meeting with publishers this week and talking with some booksellers, whose response, he said, was "very positive."

Interested booksellers should contact Maury McClelland at 908-789-2596 or Maury_M@hotmail.com.

Tomorrow on WAMU's Diane Rehm Show, Michael Gurian talks about his new book, The Minds of Boys: Saving Our Sons From Falling Behind in School and Life (Jossey-Bass, $24.95, 0787977616).

Book TV airs on C-Span 2 from 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Monday and focuses on political and historical books as well as the book industry. The following are highlights for this coming weekend. For more information, go to Book TV's Web site.

Saturday, September 10

7:00 p.m. Encore Booknotes. In an interview from 1993, William F. Buckley discusses his book Happy Days Were Here Again: Reflections of a Libertarian Journalist (Adams Media Corp, 1558504710), a collection of more than 120 articles and speeches written between 1985 and 1993. He addresses the Cold War, the passing of friends, sailing, liberty and the comfort of faith.

8 p.m. After Words. Barbara Ehrenreich reveals the working conditions of American white-collar workers in her new book, Bait and Switch: The Futile Pursuit of the American Dream (Metropolitan Books, $24, 0805076069). Stephen Moore, senior economics writer for the editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, will conduct the interview. (Re-airs at 9 p.m. on Sunday)

Sunday, September 11

9 a.m. Public Lives. Historian Charles Calhoun speaks about America's 23rd president in his new book, Benjamin Harrison (Times Books, $20, 0805069526). He explores Harrison's time in the Civil War, legal career in Cincinnati, front-porch presidential campaigns and his changes to American foreign policy.

The following are the September Book Sense fiction Notable Titles with commentary by booksellers. Tomorrow we'll highlight the nonfiction and mystery/suspense lists. For the top 20 Book Sense Picks for September go to the Book Sense Web site.

Many thanks to Book Sense and the ABA!

Clearcut by Nina Shengold (Anchor, $13 paper, 1400079691). "Set in an isolated part of the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s, this is a gritty, action-packed, passionate debut novel that follows three compelling characters who are looking to find and complete themselves. The rugged, unforgiving terrain in which the drama plays out is as beautifully contrasted as the characters."--Susan Avery, Ariel Booksellers, New Paltz, N.Y.


The Monsters of Gramercy Park by Danny Leigh (Bloomsbury, $23.95, 1582346461). "What do a gang lord serving three consecutive life sentences in solitary confinement, a conservative politician running for reelection, and a celebrated crime novelist whose life is about to change have in common? This fast-paced psychological thriller will keep you guessing till the end!"--Elena Kruglyak, The Town Book Store, Westfield, N.J.

A Mouth Like Yours by Daniel Duane (FSG, $22, 0374217327). "Cassius Harper finds his life in a pretty good place: good apartment near his favorite surfing beach, new girlfriend, dissertation going well. Meeting beautiful, sensual, infuriating Joanie Artois throws all this into chaos. There is a point where a decision has to be made, and sometimes the line in the sand is one you have to draw yourself."--Russ Harvey, Cody's Books, Berkeley, Calif.

Necklace of Kisses by Francesca Lia Block (HarperCollins, $21.95, 0060777516). "Weetzie Bat fans rejoice--she's back! She's older and wiser, but still as slinkster cool as ever. Facing marital strife with her Secret Agent Lover Man, Weetzie leaves to live at a glamorous L.A. hotel to find herself. This book teems with the magic and fantasy of the original Weetzie Bat books, as well as offering a look at adult life and problems. A real treat!"--Kathleen Raymond, Davis-Kidd Booksellers, Memphis, Tenn.

Ordinary Wolves by Seth Kantner (Milkweed, $14.95 paper, 1571310479). "Ordinary Wolves is the wonderful coming-of-age story of Cutuk, a white boy growing up in Alaska who is trying very hard to fit in with the indigenous people. This is a book that we loved to handsell in hardcover, and it remains one of our favorites."--Sue Richardson, Maine Coast Book Shop, Damariscotta, Me.

The Secret Fruit of Peter Paddington by Brian Francis (Perennial, $12.95 paper, 0060792442). "This unique, charming coming-of-age story is the tale of an overweight teenage boy--one who prefers Home Ec to Shop and who hears his nipples talking to him. When his uncle discovers him dressed in his mother's clothes, Peter thinks his life will be over. But it turns out his uncle has a few secrets of his own."--Carol Schneck, Schuler Books & Music, Okemos, Mich.

26A by Diana Evans (Morrow, $23.95, 0060820918). "This is the best book I have read this year! The author brings us into the lives of young British twins and their secret world so convincingly. There is not a false note in this haunting and lyrically written novel."--Karen Vail, Armchair Bookstore, Dennis, Mass.

Under the Persimmon Tree by Suzanne Fisher Staples (FSG, $17, 0374380252). "This story of a young Afghan girl during the time just after 9/11 is a treasure. Details about life in the Afghan mountains and in refugee camps, as well as insights into the Muslim religion and life under the Taliban, are presented seamlessly as part of this very believable story. This is a timely and important book that you just can't put down."--Carol Stoltz, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, Mass.

The Year the Music Changed: A Novel by Diane Thomas (Toby Press, $22.95, 1592641229). "I love novels that are composed of a series of letters--it's always so hard to stop reading them. While I've never been a big Elvis fan, reading this story made me see why he was called 'The King.' "--Beth Reynolds, Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, Vt.