Tom Robbins reads his essay about why Village Books is his favorite independent bookstore at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Village Books, 1200 11th St.

Robbins' essay is one of 82 tributes written by such well-known writers as Isabel Allende, Chuck Palahniuk and Ann Patchett as part of the anthology "My Bookstore: Writers Celebrate Their Favorite Places to Browse, Read & Shop."

To celebrate the book's publication, five Western Washington bookstores are joining together to host a "Lit Crawl." Customers who acquire stamps from all five events will be entered for a chance to win a prize package, which will include one book by each participating author, as well as a copy of "My Bookstore."

Robbins, maverick author of eight juicy, daring and sagacious novels, has approached rock-star status, attracting standing-room-only crowds at appearances in Europe and Australia as well as the United States. He mainly lives in Skagit County.

Reach Margaret Bikman at 360-715-2273 or margaret.bikman@bellinghamherald.com.