By Deirdre Parker Smith

deirdre.smith@salisburypost.com

Jennifer Hubbard is continuing to expand her talents, now as a consultant to Literary Bookpost.

“She’s taught us a tremendous amount already,” says Leslie Cataldo, who, with Lisa Rawson, runs the store.

Hubbard is there to reorganize the inventory, reduce some of it to make room for new books and make the shelves more reader-friendly.

“This is a fabulous bookstore,” Cataldo says. “People come from all around to see this store. We want to be easy to be in and easy to pick selections.”

Hubbard, for example, is separating historical fiction from general fiction because it’s so popular now.

“My lack of book knowledge has hindered me somewhat,” Cataldo says.

“But you don’t fake it, you find out,” Hubbard answers.

“We’ve learned so much already, and so much from Jenny. When we get it the way we want it, it’s going to be so fabulous.”

Already, they’re working on cleaning up the downstairs area, which has recently been used for storage, because they are planning an event for Salisbury PRIDE in June.

“I want it to be comfortable to shop,” Cataldo says.

Hubbard, so far, has just made it through the author names that begin with F. She’s spending just eight hours a week at the store because she has to finish her third young adult novel. When her second, “And We Stay” won a prestigious prize, it bought her more time to revise. She rewrites her novels from a different character’s point of view to find out which one is the right one.

Still, her mind is on the bookstore. “I wake up at night thinking, ‘We could do that next or put that over there.”

One of her ideas, is a benefit to her. She has created a section for local authors, Hometown Kids, who all happen to have names that begin with H — John Hart, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Hubbard herself.

Cataldo says they want to have space for book clubs to meet, aiming for Thursday and Friday evenings, when the store will stay open later.

Cataldo also hopes Hubbard can do some book reviews. “Only books I like,” Hubbard says. “Life is too short to waste time on books you don’t like.”

Hubbard wants to pick a local celebrity reader of the month who will pick the books they love. It would feature a photo of the reader and a description of the chosen books. So, be warned, readers. It could be you.

Other sections in place already include a spot for lovers of “Downton Abbey” to find  similar books that evoke that era. Another is dedicated to the British royals to mark the birth of Princess Charlotte. Yet another is Great books you’ve never heard of, Europa Editions. Europa is dedicated to bringing international books of note to the American reader. They were responsible for “The Elegance of the Hedgehog,” which was on the New York Times bestseller list for almost a year.

In addition, Hubbard has labeled shelves right up front with staff picks — hers, Cataldo’s and Rawson’s, and owner Bill Greene’s.

More labels and sections appear each week, drawing the reader into their favorite genre, or showcasing books that might be overlooked.

With an old leather couch, rocking chairs and tables with stools, Cataldo and company are hoping to bring people in and create an unforgettable reading experience.