I took a chance on Little Chapel on the River without knowing many details. The author's apartment was condemned after 9/11, so she moved upstate and spent a good chunk of time in a local bar. Then wrote a book about it.

My dream is to spend a good chunk of time in a local bar and write a book about it. Or not write one. Anyway, that's why I picked up Little Chapel on the River. I was not disappointed.

The book focuses on a Garrison, NY, pub/general store named Guinan's, and gives dimension to small towns and family-owned businesses everywhere.

Little Chapel makes you appreciate your local watering hole if you have one, and pine for one if you don't. The addiction that keeps the regulars regular is not alcoholism, but belonging. Though the alcoholism probably doesn't hurt. As more and more places like Guinan's announce their last calls, you wonder what will happen to all the people and all the friendships that rely on it. God forbid they all start blogging.

I'm giving this book my full endorsement. The author, Wendy Bounds, writes for the Wall Street Journal, and now covers the Small Business beat.