The Last Customer

Kevin Krein had the honor of ringing up the last sale in the history of River City Books: a travel guide to Costa Rica. If the Raven were still with us he would, no doubt, strain his back trying to find the symbolism. In his place, I can only offer a picture. Thanks and best [...]

The Raven Is Dead! Long Live The Raven!

Hello, Raven readers. This is not the Raven but rather Jon Lee, manager at River City Books, and I am writing to inform you of some very sad news. The River City Raven has died.
As you know, all of us at River City Books have been noticeably distraught by the recent announcement that our store [...]

Celebrate Seven Years

I told you’d I had more final week news and in all this time have I ever not delivered on a promise? Please keep your answers to yourselves.
On Sunday, March 29 — the final day in the seven-year history of River City Books — RCB booksellers are graciously hosting a store-closing reception. Please come, commiserate, [...]

Final Week Warning

Seems like only a few days ago that I was announcing details about River City Books’ month-long going-out-of-business sale. That’s what happens when you want something to last — it goes by just so fast.
Now we’re down to the wire, the final week in the store’s history, and they’re pricing books, CDs, DVDs, gifts, clothing, [...]

Next Phase of the Phaseout

There is a game of chicken going on. Maybe it’s craps. Or roulette? I don’t play many games, except for Scrabble and — don’t alert the media — I’m not even very good at that. I’ll I know is that today’s the day when those who didn’t flinch are really happy. That’s because today River [...]

More Satisfied Bargain Hunters

People with a hankering for cheap stuff are still teeming into River City Books! As my handy photographying clearly shows—for the four people who don’t know, pictured is lifetime Northfield resident and RCB bookseller Beth Vivant—often a sturdy bag is required to hold all of the trade books, bargain books, gifts, clothing, CDs, DVDs and [...]

Wear One of Those Stove Mittens

The snow is melt, melt, melting away — hooray! — and it just might be because the deals down at River City Books are that hot. I was in there the other night and was hardly the only one. Like me, people were buying great new hardcovers and paperbacks for 25 percent off; and greeting [...]

Waking Up

Excuse me! I’ve been busy putting my affairs in order. I have a lot of affairs. Though not of the kind Mrs. Raven needs to worry about. Anyway, the plucky River City Books fiction book club is the club that will not die. Despite their favorite meeting place’s imminent demise, they are, like a chameleon [...]