Borderlands 15-year anniversary

Our local sci-fi/fantasy/mystery bookstore turned 15. They threw a private party to celebrate. Last month when I went in to pick up an order, my semi-regular staffer gave me an invitation. I thought I'd stop by for half an hour, congratulate the owner, and leave.

However, two things interrupted this plan:
All books were 50% off;
and desperance and klwilliams were there. I had a good chat with them and assorted other authors and publishers. And the odd customer like myself.

It was a good gathering. I found out from Borderlands' owner that the Future Fantasy, the sci-fi bookstore I patronized from near its opening to its closing in the late '90s, didn't fold due to online or big box competition. It was the dot-com era, and someone gave them a cash offer for their Palo Alto building. It's nice to hear - even belatedly - that a bookseller can have a happy ending.

What I'm reading: Lois McMaster Bujold, Captain Vorpatril's Alliance