Richard Russo's latest work pays tribute to printed books

(CBS/AP) Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Russo's latest work, "Interventions," is a tribute to the printed book and takes a backhanded jab at electronic books and online book selling.

"Interventions" is a collection of four separate volumes that are packaged in a slipcase, each work coming with a postcard-sized color print of a painting by Russo's daughter, Kate. The collection, three short stories and a novella, is published on high-quality sustainably harvested paper.

"Interventions" is a celebration of printed books and independent bookstores, Russo said in an interview in his home in this Maine coastal town. The rapid rise of e-books and online sales of printed books pose threats to bookstores, the book publishing industry and the rise of new authors, he said.

But he's also confident that book readers are coming around to his way of thinking.

"It's the idea of buying locally," Russo said. "I think this particular book is part of that groundswell of people who are beginning to understand that buying all of your books through online booksellers is like buying everything from online sellers, whether it's flat-screen TVs or flowers or whatever. I think there's a groundswell of people who are beginning to understand the implications of that."

The idea for the book was several years in the making, driven by lively wine-fueled discussions over the kitchen table with family about their favorite books, he said while sitting in the living room of his 166-year-old home, books filling floor-to-ceiling bookcases along one wall, with his daughter, Kate, and her husband, Tom Butler.

Russo, his daughter and her husband began discussing the idea of publishing a book that would pay tribute in some way to printed books.

Russo provided the writing, Kate provided the paintings that serve as illustrations, and Butler provided the design. Down East Books, which is located near Russo's home in Camden, published the book.

His new book is intended to give readers a "book book" - as he calls printed books - experience.

Russo, 62, is the author of seven novels, including "Bridge of Sighs," ''That Old Cape Magic" and "Empire Falls," which won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize.