Oct 12-18: Newtonville Books Anniversary

The jury is still out on how long a book needs to be published before it can be considered a classic. A century? A few months? Whenever a few Hollywood producers pony up the dough for a blockbuster? Independent book stores, however, are a different story. As soon as we’re a regular customer, it’s a classic in our book. Newtonville Books (296 Walnut Street, Newton, 617.244.6619) is one of the few remaining bulwarks that can hold its own against the megalopolises. They’re marking a decade of drawing in voracious readers and story hounds. From noon to 6 p.m. today, they’re celebrating their anniversary with, what else? Readings, of course. Head over to hear stories from A-listers with local ties, including Tom Perrotta, Alice Hoffman, Anita Diamant, Sue Miller, and Richard Russo. Dizzy from all the muckraking around the presidential campaign? Nothing like a hefty dose of actual fiction to take as a bromide. Plus there’ll be food. And it’s free. For the full lineup of readers, visit www.newtonvillebooks.com.