May 31, 2007     A browsing bookstore tucked away in the East Village with a proprietor who knows her books   We know from The Three Tomatoes polls and surveys that reading is a favorite pastime of tomatoes, and what better way to while away a lazy, hazy summer day than being deeply engrossed in a guilty pleasure book.  And while we love the convenience of books that are just a mouse click away from arriving at our doorstep, there is still something so special about actually browsing through a bookstore.  And we’re not talking about the super mega chain book sellers, where browsing involves miles of bookshelves and finding help is even more frustrating.   No, we’re talking old fashioned bookstores where the owner has read just about everything and will guide you to book choices you never would have thought about.   Well, tomatoes, if you thought those days were long gone, meet Willa, the tomato behind New Voices, a brave new book store concept.   New Voices – unsung books, coffee, and a garden   Willa Correnti has always loved books and writing.   She dictated her first poem to her mother at the age of four.  Then she grew up and life got full with a husband, five children, and running her husband’s construction office.   Her “writing” was mostly grocery lists and notes to her daughter in college. Then one day she saw a creative writing course offering at a local university that was being taught by Wally Lamb, best selling author of She’s Come Undone, among other novels. Well Wally was quite taken with Willa’s way with a pen, and encouraged her poetry, short story writing, and convinced her to turn one particular short story into a novel. Willa is now a published poet and has won several awards, including Poet Laureate by Curbstone Publishing (an independent publishing house.) However, her attempts to interest the traditional publishing world in her novel, even with Wally Lamb’s endorsement,  led nowhere . Despite the fact that editors liked the book they felt it didn’t have “mass appeal.” And as Willa got more involved in the literary world she met many talented writers who also couldn’t get published, and were going the “self-published” route.   So, Willa had a brainstorm.   Why not open a bookstore that specialized in publishing quality works from independent publishing houses and selecting some of the best books from the “self-published world.”  Her brainstorm became reality last month, when New Voices Bookstore opened its doors at 424 East 9th Street, in the East Village.  This charming store has a coffee bar, café tables, internet access, and a delightful little outdoor garden.  But best of all, it has Willa and her son Michael who have hand picked every book in the store and will enthusiastically give you a summary of the book and personal commentary about the writer.  Willa reads about six to seven books a week as part of the selection process on what makes it into the store.  As Willa says, only a handful of books ever make it to the best seller lists, while hundreds of great books languish by the wayside. When you think about it, New Voices is a sort of  American Idol  for books!  Who would ever know Kelly, or Rubin, or now Jordan?   Willa’s Picks - a new feature for The Three Tomatoes   We spent a most delightful afternoon at New Voices and with Willa as our “book guide”, there were literally dozens we wanted to buy and read.   And we promise you will too if you get a chance to visit the store.  But in the interim, and for those of you who think of the East Village as a different country, we asked Willa to select a couple of books that she thought tomatoes would especially like.  You’ll find the synopses in our side bar. And of course The Three Tomatoes immediately gravitated to “Sex, Lies, and Cosmetic Surgery” which was fascinating, balanced, and a must read for anyone considering plastic surgery.  And here's the best news.   Willa has agreed to provide a suggested book every month that she and we think you will like.  What a great way to discover new writers we never would have found if it wasn’t  for Willa’s daring idea.  So stay tuned each month for more Willa Picks.   How to buy from New Voices   Their e-commerce web site will go live in about a week or so (we will keep you posted.)   In the meantime however, you can visit and browse the actual store, located at 424 East 9th Street, New York City.  Or you can order a book and have it shipped to your home by calling Willa at 212-477-7166, or emailing correnti@myway.com.   So grab a book, put on your sunscreen, and head to your favorite lounge chair.   Don’t you just love summer?   ‘til next week,     The Three Tomatoes   Copyright©2007.  The Three Tomatoes.   All rights reserved.

You know you're a tomato if...browsing through a bookstore is one of your favoite pastimes. ********* The Gas Price Poll...56% of you have already cut back on your driving and another 19% of you will cut back if prices go over $4/gal.  Yikes, we'll just have to take limos. **************  Do you look younger or older than your peers? Vote in this week's poll at our home page. **************** Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery (Things You’ll Never Learn From Your Plastic Surgeon)… by Lois Stern  is a must read for any woman who has had or is contemplating plastic surgery. She has compiled thousands of interviews with women about the dramatic changes they have seen in their lives following surgery. The most incredible after-effect, however, is the one least talked about: a remarkable increase in a woman’s libido and sexual pleasure, even for those in their fifties and sixties. Meet the author on Sunday, June 10th at 1:30 PM, at New Voices Bookstore,  424 East 9th Street, New York City.  212-477-7166.  Or email correnti@myway.com.  Phone and email orders accepted. *************** Kick the Chandelier...A wonderful summer read , this book by Gail Theis tells the story of  Laura Steele Pendleton, a beautiful fifty-something woman recently retired, married for thirty years and comfortable in a luxurious  home, but  restless.   Laura goes to a benefit gala unaccompanied by her attorney husband, where she meets a young charming English actor.  They begin a tempestuous affair.  Laura finds herself more alive than she has felt in years while at the same time conflicted. Available from New Voices Bookstore, 424 East 9th Street, New York City.  212-477-7166.  Or email Willa.  Phone and email orders accepted. ***************