An Alphabetical Life: Living It Up in the World of Books

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 336 pages
• Published by: Carroll & Graf; 1st Carroll & Graf Ed edition September 27, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 078671817X
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0786718177
• Book Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 6.4 ounces

From Publishers Weekly
We never know what may happen when we pick up a book," writes Werris is her tragicomic memoir of life in the book trade, " turning the page might actually change the course of our existence." As an unemployed college student, Werris began selling books in 1970 at the Pickwick Bookstore in Los Angeles and never stopped. Her evolutionary career began in bookstores, moved to publishers (like Rolling Stone's imprint, Straight Arrow), continued on to repping and culminated in escorting famous authors on tour. Daughter of Snag Werris, a longtime comedy writer for the likes of Milton Berle and Jackie Gleason, Werris has humor in her genes and a raconteur's flair for a good story, and her book bubbles with insider tales of authors and celebrities (like her one-night stand with Richard Brautigan and a magical dinner with Eric Idle and George Harrison). Sadness peppers Werris's story, however: failed relationships, the death of a beloved friend from kidney failure, a complicated relationship with her parents and a brutal rape whose perpetrator was never captured, despite Werris's own valiant efforts. The book details a richly textured world of small presses and now vanishing independent bookstores, and is a bittersweet tribute to the indefatigability of bibliophiles like Werris herself. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Werris grew up in Los Angeles while her often-absent comedy-writer father, Snag Werris, sustained a 20-year association with Jackie Gleason. During the summer of 1970, Wendy, age 19, strolled into Pickwick Bookshop on Hollywood Boulevard, a renowned venue that attracted street people as well as celebrities, intending to buy a Charles Bukowski collection, and walked out not only with the book but also with the job that would set her life's course. Werris now tells the story of her peripatetic and gutsy book-selling career in a matter-of-fact memoir that eulogizes expert and eccentric independent booksellers of yesteryear and chronicles the rise of the discount chains. Werris also adds a chapter to the story of women in the workforce as she remembers her demanding years on the road as a publisher's rep when few women traveled sales circuits solo. Werris earns respect and sympathy as she shares her unusual and enlightening perspective on the publishing industry by portraying mentors and colleagues, relating brushes with celebrities, disclosing personal suffering, and sharing her tireless love for books. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Reader Reviews
This is an interesting account of a woman's life as a book rep. It gives the reader a look into a world that most of us know little to nothing about. Those people who love books and bookstores will enjoy reading this. As a booklover myself, I have often thought(dreamily) about how wonderful a 'book rep' job might be. This gives you (me) a little reality check on that. I wanted to read this because of the sub-title: "Living it up in the world of books." I love to read books about books, and books about people who love books. This was more of a memoir about a life and career that happened to involve the selling of books. I enjoyed the story and read it up over two days. There are a lot of interesting things that happened in this woman's life as a book rep., and she shares the happy and sad times. I thought that the ending was fitting, in a 'full circle' sort of way. She had some brushes with some very well known people -which was fun to read about, and she has become well known and respected in her field of work. There's a section in the middle with pictures. I thought that was nice to get a look at not only the author but some of the people that she talks about in the book. Each chapter begins with a short quote. I loved the one for the first chapter: "Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must live" by Charles Bukowski The book reads well, and I like the author's style. I very much enjoyed this book and highly recommend it! Comment | | (Report this)