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Obama Buys 17 Titles At Independent Bookstore

Obama Buys 17 Titles At Independent Bookstore
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama tried to draw attention to independently owned businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, a day that is increasingly being marketed as one for deal-hungry consumers to remember to patronize these mom-and-pop outlets while doing their holiday shopping.

He bought bags of books — 17 titles in all — during a stop at Politics and Prose, a popular Washington bookstore now owned by a former Washington Post reporter and his wife, also a former Post reporter who also worked for Hillary Rodham Clinton at the White House and State Department.

In recent years, the Saturday after Thanksgiving has been advertised as "Small Business Saturday." It's designed to drive foot traffic to independent businesses in between the frenzy of Black Friday sales at mass retailers and the Cyber Monday deals available online.

Obama browsed the bookstore's racks with his daughters, Malia and Sasha. He held one shopper's baby and chatted with author David Baldacci. While paying at the cash register, another patron encouraged Obama to close the U.S. facility in Cuba where suspected terrorists are detained.

"Hope you can close Guantanamo," the patron said.

"We're working on it," Obama replied, then cheerily added to the crowd of shoppers: "Any other issues?"

Obama also joked, "Hope it works," when he handed his credit card to the cashier. That appeared to be a reference to when a restaurant declined his card while he dined out in New York City in late September.

Obama bought a mix of titles apparently chosen to satisfy readers young and old. The White House declined to reveal how much he paid.

Among the books in the president's shopping bags for mature readers were "Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth and Faith in the New China" by New Yorker writer Evan Osnos, "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End" by surgeon Atul Gawande and "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr.

For younger readers, Obama's purchases included three titles in the "Redwall" series by Brian Jacques, two titles in the Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park and "A Barnyard Collection: Click, Clack, Moo and More" by Doreen Cronin.

Obama and his daughters also shopped at Politics and Prose on the Saturday after Thanksgiving last year.

Before You Go

Obama Pardons Liberty & Peace (2011)
AP
President Barack Obama pardoned two turkeys, Liberty and Peace, in 2011. Liberty, a 19-week old, 45-pound turkey, is featured in the picture with the president and his daughters Sasha and Malia. An alternate turkey named Peace was also pardoned.
Obama Pardons Apple & Cider (2010)
Getty Images
In 2010, President Barack Obama pardoned two turkeys -- Apple and Cider.
Obama Pardons Courage (2009)
Getty Images
President Barack Obama pardoned Courage, a 20-week-old and 45-pound turkey, in 2009. Alternate turkey Carolina was also pardoned.
Bush Pardons Pecan & Pumpkin (2008)
Getty Images
President George W. Bush pardoned turkeys named Peace and Pumpkin in 2008.
Bush Pardons May & Flower (2007)
AP
President George W. Bush pardoned two turkeys, May and Flower, in 2007.
Bush Pardons Flyer & Fryer (2006)
Getty Images
President George W. Bush pardoned a Turkey named Flyer, and another named Fryer, in 2006. Flyer is featured in the picture.
Bush Pardons Marshmallow & Yam (2005)
Getty Images
President George. W Bush pardoned Marshmallow, who is featured in the picture, and Yam in 2005.(2nd-R) speaks with James Trites(R), of Minnesota, who raised Marshmallow, the national turkey(bottom-R), who was pardoned by Bush during an event in the White House Complex 22 November, 2005 in Washington, DC. Marshmallow, will travel to his new home at Disneyland, in Anaheim, California, following the pardon and will serve as honorary Grand Marshal for Disneyland's annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Bush Pardons Biscuits & Gravy (2004)
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President George W. Bush pardoned Biscuits (featured) in 2004. The alternate turkey named Gravy was also pardoned.
Bush Pardons Stars & Stripes (2003)
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President George W. Bush pardoned Stars (featured) and Stripes in 2003.
Bush Pardons Katie & Zach (2002)
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President George W. Bush pardoned Katie, and alternate turkey Zach in 2002.
Bush Pardons Liberty & Freedom (2001)
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President George W. Bush pardoned Liberty and alternate turkey Freedom in 2001. Liberty is featured in the picture.
Clinton Pardons Jerry (2000)
Getty Images
President Bill Clinton pardoned a turkey named Jerry in 2000.
Clinton Pardons Harry (1999)
Getty Images
President Bill Clinton pardoned a turkey named Harry in 1999.
Clinton Pardons Turkey (1998)
Getty Images
WASHINGTON, : US President Bill Clinton stands with the annual Thanksgiving turkey as his handler Walter Gislason (L) looks on during presentation ceremonies 24 November at the White House in Washington, DC. The bird, presented to the President by the National Turkey Federation was given an official pardon from becoming dinner and sent to a local petting zoo. AFP PHOTO/Tim SLOAN (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Clinton Pardons Turkey (1997)
Getty Images
WASHINGTON, : US President Bill Clinton (R) poses with the 50th annual Thanksgiving Turkey (Front) which was presented to him by the National Turkey Federation as National Turkey Federation President Stuart Proctor (L) watches during ceremonies, 26 November, at the White House in Washington, DC. This year's National Thanksgiving Day Turkey was raised in Raeford, NC by the Tarheel Turkey Hatchery and after his 'official' pardon will be retired to the Kidwell Farm in Herdon, VA. AFP PHOTO Paul J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
Clinton Pardons Turkey (1996)
AP
Clinton Pardons Turkey (1995)
President Clinton pets a 75-pound turkey in the Rose Garden of White House Wednesday Nov. 22, 1995 which was presented to him by the National Turkey Federation. Kenneth Rutledge, chairman of the federation looks on at right. As in previous years, the turkey will be granted amnesty and donated to the Kidwell Farms petting zoo in Fairfax, Va. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Clinton Pardons Turkey (1994)
AP
President Bill Clinton looks on as Robert Strickler holds Tom, a 50-pound turkey presented to the president in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Nov. 23, 1994. Stuart Proctor, president, National Turkey Federation, second from left, and Larry Fanella of the NTF, second from right, look on. The president pardoned Tom who will take up residence at the Frying Pan Park in Chantilly, VA. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
Clinton Pardons Turkey (1993)
Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 24: U.S. President Bill Clinton poses with a Thanksgiving turkey 24 November 1993 after it was presented to him by National Turkey Federation Chairman Thomas Bross III in ceremonies on the South Lawn of the White House. The 50-pound bird will not be killed but will go to a farm operated by the Fairfax County, Virginia park system. 'It's my first presidential pardon,' the president joked. (Photo credit should read ROBERT GIROUX/AFP/Getty Images)
Bush Pardons Turkey (1992)
AP
President George H.W. Bush gestures during a Rose Garden ceremony Tuesday, November 25, 1992 where he pardoned this years Thanksgiving turkey presented by the National Turkey Federation. Chuck Helms, left, and Bruce Cuddy stand behind Bush. (AP Photo/Greg Gibson)
Bush Pardons Turkey (1991)
AP
President George H. W. Bush, flanked by Gary Ruka, National Turkey Federation president, and his wife, Sheila, accepts the annual Thanksgiving turkey at the White House, Monday, November 25, 1991. The turkey will be given to a children's petting farm. (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander)
Bush Pardons Turkey (1990)
AP
President Bush laughs as he is presented a Thanksgiving turkey from the National Turkey Federation in a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House Wednesday, November 14, 1990. Also attending the ceremony from the National Turkey Federation are Stuart Proctor, left; and Wyatt Upchurch, right. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Bush Pardons Turkey (1989)
AP
Shannon Duffy, 8, Fairfax, Virginia, reaches out for the Thanksgiving turkey presented to President Bush, Friday, November 17, 1989 by the National Turkey Foundation. President and Mrs. Bush donated the turkey to a Children's petting farm in Virginia. (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander)
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