Well, this is pretty cool...

Last week, James Patterson, author of several best-selling thrillers (including the Alex Cross books) as well as some popular young adult fiction (like the Maximum Ride series), pledged $1 million dollars to struggling--but "viable--independent bookstores. They MUST, however, have a childrens section, as Patterson feels these booksellers are among the most important places for fostering a love of literature in kids.  I heard about this story from my cousin, who read it in the most recent issue of The Week. But if you don't subscibe to that fine periodical, you can read about it on the LA Times website (among other places).