Author Talk: "Turning Pages" by Roberta Rubin

Independent bookseller Roberta Rubin reflects on the journey that transformed her neighborhood bookshop into a cornerstone of the community. Longtime independent bookstore owner and AWM Founding Board Member Roberta Rubin stops by to discuss her new memoir Turning Pages: The Life and Times of a Bookseller. For more than thirty years, Rubin owned and ran The Book Stall at Chestnut Court in Winnetka, Illinois—one of the nation's most admired independent bookstores. In this warm and inspiring memoir, she reflects on the journey that transformed a neighborhood shop into a nationally respected cultural destination and a beloved cornerstone of community life. Rubin will be interviewed by writer Richard Reeder. Books will be available for purchase and Rubin will sign them following the program. More about Turning Pages: A leader in independent bookselling, Rubin championed emerging and established writers, cultivated generations of passionate readers, and steered her bookstore through every challenge the shifting literary landscape presented—from big-box competition to the rise of online retail. Her story is filled with engaging anecdotes about the authors, publishers, colleagues, and customers who shaped her world, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the relationships and determination that sustained an independent bookstore through decades of change. Both a deeply personal account of a life devoted to books and a source of inspiration for booksellers and independent shop owners, this memoir reflects the same energy, warmth, grit, and unwavering commitment to books that defined her oversight of the store. It testifies to the power of independent retailers to build community, spark curiosity, and bring people together—and to Rubin's ongoing advocacy for the enduring value of bookstores and the written word. ROBERTA RUBIN owned and ran The Book Stall at Chestnut Court for more than three decades, turning it into one of the most influential independent bookstores in the country. The store, in Winnetka, Illinois, won accolades including Publishers Weekly's Bookstore of the Year in 2012. Rubin helped chart a course for indie bookstores to survive and thrive against the rise of big chain bookstores and Amazon, emphasizing author visits, community outreach and personalized service. She is also a member of the founding board of the American Writers Museum, where a room is named in her honor (pictured below). She currently lives in Evanston, Illinois. RICHARD REEDER was born and raised in Chicago and continues to live in the Chicago area with his wife Anne. Educated in the Chicago public schools, he has two degrees from Roosevelt University. His multifaceted career included working as a caseworker, elementary school teacher, employment counselor, research assistant, and as an executive in both government and social service and educational organizations. Richard remains active as a consultant, writer, and adult education facilitator and instructor.