Finally some good news!

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Even this otter, seen off the coast of Santa Barbara, seems delighted by the news about Vroman’s. (Photograph by Ricardo DeAratanha /Los Angeles Times)

The disappointment and frustration that the L.A. reading community feels over the forthcoming closure of Brentwood Dutton’s is hard to shake, but at least there’s some other news about the area’s indie booksellers that gives book lovers reason to celebrate.

Publishers Weekly has announced that Vroman’s in Pasadena has won PW’s ‘Bookseller of the Year’ award. The store, which was founded in 1894, will receive the award at the upcoming Book Expo America convention that’s being held this year in Los Angeles. Among the reason’s for Vroman’s selection, explains PW’s Kevin Howell, are the store’s profit-sharing with employees, staff scholarships and community outreach. The store’s ability to maintain profit, handsell deserving titles and quickly respond to customer needs also were mentioned. What a welcome bit of news!

Nick Owchar