Ten years

of top titles

Pennie Clark Ianniciello

Costco book buyer helps
members find good reads

By Stephanie E. Ponder

FOR 10 YEARS Costco Book Buyer Pennie Clark Ianniciello has been making “Pennie’s Picks,” suggested monthly book picks, for millions of Connection readers. Pennie has been in the publishing industry for nearly 30 years and was featured on the front page of The Wall Street Journal five years ago in a look at the power she wields in the publishing industry. That’s no small achievement for someone diagnosed with dyslexia in the sixth grade—and who didn’t become passionate about books until she read The Thorn Birds in the late ’70s.

Inspired by the 10-year milestone, The Connection recently talked with Pennie about the more than 120 books she has recommended to Costco members.

 

CC: How did the “Book Buyer’s Pick” get started? PCI: The monthly picks began as a way to hand-sell titles (make personal recommendations) to members. Because I can’t be in all warehouses talking to members about books, the picks allow my staff and me to recommend titles we’re really passionate about.

 

CC: How do you decide which book will be your pick? PCI: That’s the question I’m most often asked. The truth is that I find inspiration everywhere. Sometimes

friends recommend titles to me or they’re person al favorites of the book reps I work with or of min e. I’ve even selected a few titles while scanning my bookshelves while I iron. I’m guessing I have a couple thousand books at home, so there are more than enough titles to scan while I iron or dust or talk on the phone.

 

CC: Certainly there’s more to each month’s pick tha n choosing a book. Do you have any interesting behind-the-scenes stories?

PCI: Oh yeah! The Fig Eater, by Jody Shields, had to go into reprint to meet the demand our readers put on the title. To date we remain the industry’s number-one retailer of that novel. And Lauren Belfer’s City of Light was available in hardcover only, but the publisher brought it out in paperback for us—and made it available to the whole industry. Lisa See’s Snow Flower and the Secret Fan had fallen off the New York Times bestsellers list, but made a return appearance when we made it our pick. And Christopher Moore hit the Times bestsellers list shortly after we made You Suck a

pick earlier this year.

Khaled Hosseini told me that his parents didn’t think he’d found success as a writer until they saw his book [The Kite Runner] at their local warehouse. And in an article in Newsweek in 2003, Jonathan Lethem said that being a “Pennie’s Pick” [for The Fortress of Solitude]was “dandy.”

With books it’s not always easy to add extra value to the product. I mean, the value lies in all of those wonderful and inspiring words between the covers. But, not too long ago, Paulo Coelho wrote a letter just for Costco members who bought his novel The Alchemist. And in a few months, we’ll be testing a multi-pack of the pick designed to help book club members easily find book club books.

 

CC: Is there anything else you’d like to say to The Connection’s readers?

PCI: Yes! We have great members. Not only do they have access to a literary smorgasbord, but they take advantage of it. I hear from so many of our members who enjoy exploring the book tables and love what they find there.

So what I’d most like to say is thank you. Oh, and keep reading. C

FRANCE FREEMAN

The Costco
Connection
This month, Costco warehouses
will carry a 10-book retrospec-
tive of “Pennie’s Picks” as well
as her latest pick. (For a com-
plete list of titles, see pages 30
and 31.) Costco.com also carries
the current book pick along with
several older pick titles.

Signed book giveaway Naslund; Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, C OSTCO HAS 10 sets by Gregory Maguire; and The o f 10 Book Buyer’s Picks Brothers K, by David James Duncan. from the last decade to give away. To enter, print your name, Each set includes: Me & Emma, by membership number, address and Elizabeth Flock; Skinny Dip, by Carl daytime phone number on a postcard Hiaasen; The Polished Hoe, by Austin or letter and send it to: Book Pick Clarke; A Girl Named Zippy, by Haven Retrospective, The Costco Connection, Kimmel; The Fig Eater, by Jody P.O. Box 34088, Seattle, WA 98124- Shields; Blood Work, by Michael 1088. Or send an e-mail to giveaway@ Connelly; Angle of Repose, by Wallace costco.com, with “Book Pick Retro-Stegner; Ahab’s Wife, by Sena Jeter spective” in the subject line. No purchase is necessary. Only current Costco members are eligible to win. One entry per household. Entries must be received or postmarked by September 3, 2007. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by mail on or before October 1, 2007. The value of the prize is $144.20. Void where prohibited. Winners are responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes. The decision of the judges is final. Employees of Costco or HarperCollins, Harlequin, Grand Central Publishing, Random House and Penguin Group and their families are not eligible.

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