Too early to talk about the book fair?

We don't think it's a bit too early to start talking about one of the most anticipated events of the coming year – the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair. Sure, we're still three and a half months away from that wonderful weekend in March when book lovers from far and wide gather at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg for their annual tryst.

No, indeed! Not too early at all.

Consider this. That other widely anticipated event – the premiere of Downton Abbey Season 4 – happens on January 5, and devotees have been in the throes of longing since the summer. Heck, if truth be told, frenzied anticipation began as soon as Season 3 was over. By September, (about the same distance from the Downton premiere as we are now from the opening of the book fair), the Downton-sphere was already atwitter about the new season. Indeed, PBS was showing teasing little previews to increase the salivation.

The foreplay has continued and will continue right on up to that glorious first Sunday of the new year, when, at last, there will be relief!

We know where we'll be on that Sunday night. We have a date with the Granthams and the Crowleys, and, of course, Mr. Carson and his staff.

We also know where we'll be on that glorious Friday night in March when we hear those sweet, sweet words: "Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2014 Florida Antiquarian Book Fair is now open."

But pardon us while we salivate in the meantime.

And now, a bookmark for all seasons

Our new bookmarks are in and they have a special distinction. There's no date on them so they never go out of style. The Florida Antiquarian Book Fair is always the second full weekend March and that's what it says on the bookmark. So it's true for 2014 (our next book fair) but it's also true for 2015, 2016 and so on. It saves money because we don't have to do them over again next year and it reminds our fans when to plan for the book fair. If you'd like some bookmarks, stop by the St. Petersburg Public Library and ask for one, or send us an email at floridabookfair@verizon.net.

The Book Thief looks like a winner!

With Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson, there is no doubt that The Book Thief is headed for Oscar consideration. And why not? It's an amazing story based on the 2005 bestseller by Australian Markus Zusak. It is set in Nazi Germany and concerns a young girl who steals books and shares them with others, not exactly the sort of activity booksellers want to encourage. On the other hand, the books in question were in the process of being burned.

Florida Antiquarian Book Fair: What dealers say

We asked dealers who participated in the 2013 Florida Antiquarian Book Fair to tell us about their experiences. Here is some of what they shared with us.