This is the heart of the story: since 2000, about 75 independent bookstores in and around New York have closed.

No wonder today's Times has a story on the adventures and tribulations of Stockton Bagnulo, who will do anything to have her own indie store in Fort Greene -- and who, with the help of Rebecca Fitting, a Random House sales Rep, may soon get it!

Turns out, all the local residents want a bookstore too...and those residents include Jennifer Egan, Colson Whitehead and yes, Jhumpa Lahiri....

If you want to follow Ms. Bagnulo's adventures, follow the link: http://www.abookstoreinbrooklyn.blogspot.com/