As some of you know, I was recently in Northern California as part of my paperback book tour for Palace of Illusions. I didn't have much time between an afternoon event at Authors on Google and a reading at Bookshop Santa Cruz (a great, rambling independent store I want to just live in every time I visit it). But I made it a point to stop by at some of my favorite independent bookstores along the way, such as Keplers in Menlo Park, Books Inc. in Mountain View and Capitola Book Cafe, to sign books and say hello to the booksellers.
The atmosphere in each indie bookstore I've been in is unique and inviting in a special way. There are nooks to sit in and read, sometimes a cafe for a snack (Capitola Book Cafe has great sandwiches and quiches--I know, because I ate dinner there that night!) but most of all, dedicated, intelligent and well read booksellers who always have time to talk to you and recommend books. These people are there, sometimes battling economic odds, because of their love for books. They are the ones who often "discover" books by new, unknown writers and enthusiastically handsell them. That was certainly the case with my first book of stories, Arranged Marriage, which would have never made it onto the SF Chronicle bestseller list--and thus onto the radar of award committees--without their passionate support.
What was so heartwarming was that these booksellers remembered me even though I'd moved to Texas years ago. They'd say things like, "I remember every event you've done here--and I've been at all of them," or "I remember when you used to come in and ask for book recommendations, even before your first book was published."
In this day of shifting allegiances and relationships that are blurry with speed, that counts for a lot.
We're blessed here in Houston with 2 great independents: Brazos Books and Blue Willow Bookshop. They bring in the best authors from all over the country. I've read at both & I'm looking forward to doing an event at Blue Willow on March 30--so come if you're in the area.
Folks, I urge you to support your independent bookstore, if you're lucky enough to have one where you live. They are truly our national treasures--and an endangered species.
If you have a favorite bookstore, or a bookstore story, do write in and let us know.
The atmosphere in each indie bookstore I've been in is unique and inviting in a special way. There are nooks to sit in and read, sometimes a cafe for a snack (Capitola Book Cafe has great sandwiches and quiches--I know, because I ate dinner there that night!) but most of all, dedicated, intelligent and well read booksellers who always have time to talk to you and recommend books. These people are there, sometimes battling economic odds, because of their love for books. They are the ones who often "discover" books by new, unknown writers and enthusiastically handsell them. That was certainly the case with my first book of stories, Arranged Marriage, which would have never made it onto the SF Chronicle bestseller list--and thus onto the radar of award committees--without their passionate support.
What was so heartwarming was that these booksellers remembered me even though I'd moved to Texas years ago. They'd say things like, "I remember every event you've done here--and I've been at all of them," or "I remember when you used to come in and ask for book recommendations, even before your first book was published."
In this day of shifting allegiances and relationships that are blurry with speed, that counts for a lot.
We're blessed here in Houston with 2 great independents: Brazos Books and Blue Willow Bookshop. They bring in the best authors from all over the country. I've read at both & I'm looking forward to doing an event at Blue Willow on March 30--so come if you're in the area.
Folks, I urge you to support your independent bookstore, if you're lucky enough to have one where you live. They are truly our national treasures--and an endangered species.
If you have a favorite bookstore, or a bookstore story, do write in and let us know.
we have the tattered cover here in denver. it is a huge indie bookstore, but you can always find a little place to hide and read!
San Francisco is blessed with Modern Times Bookstore in the Mission District. The store prides itself on community building and activism, and I love the anti-corporate atmosphere of the space.
This is so true. Nothing can compare to shopping for a book in a store filled with readers. I live in Houston, too, and love both of our independent bookstores like crazy. These are strange times for books and reading. I'm on a book tour at the moment, and I've had a chance to visit all sorts of different stores--all of them welcoming and unique homes for books and the people who love them. I don't want to live in a world where everything is the same and books are sold like groceries! As we scramble toward the new, we have to remember not to leave the best parts of the old behind.
I love having book sellers who love to read. You can always find that at the indies.
Sadly, indie bookstores (and music stores!!!) in the Bay Area are rapidly closing. We lost Cody's and Staceys. Very sad. But the Mission District here has them going strong. There's so many good ones with piles of used books next to brand new ones. Modern Times, DogEared Books, Bird and Beckett in Bernal Heights. I don't know what I would do without them.
Here in Park Slope Brooklyn we have a very high concentration of writers living in very close proximity. Thus we had many bookstores: at least six that sold mostly old and rare books and a similar number that sold new books. When Barnes and Noble opened a super store here a while back there was enormous pressure on several of the independants, some of whom were forced to close their doors because they could not discount the way B & N can or offer similar amenities (upholstered chairs, coffee, clowns!) The oldest and most enterprising independent (Community Bookstore) did survive, however. Although a small shop, the owner converted nearly a third of the store into a wine bar with frequent wine-tastings (free wine and cheese) thus attracting writers and readers by appealing to their most vulnerable spot. The owner also added a single upholstered chair to a conspicuously crowded part of the store, insuring that hardly anyone ever used it. It served a purely symbolic function and was highly successful. After B & N opened the revenues of this independent bookstore rose by more than 40%. Never underestimate the power of free alcohol in any business situation.
I recently read at Book Passage in Marin County. Such a pleasure! Excellent staff, excellent audience. Cannot recommend highly enough...
I recently heard of a favorite bookstore of mine in Bangalore also falling prey to the chains and rising rents.
If you have ever lived in Bangalore, you have probably heard of Premier Bookstore. I spent many hours there with my dad picking out books, from when I was 6 years old to when I was 16. I didn't even know to call it or recognize it as independent. It was truly a Bangalore treasure. I was happy to find out about a short documentary being made about the bookstore that was filmed in 2006 when the store was going to close but somehow survived.
http://mrshanbagshop.org/
I will miss getting lost among the pillars and narrow corridors created by piles of books....
Sadly, Codys Staceys Clean Welllighted Place are all gone in San Francisco. Powells in Portland remains my all time favorite. A block long and a way to browse away a rainy afternoon (and Portland had plenty of those).
That's a great post, Chitra.
We have Book People in Austin, Texas, that lets a group of book lovers host monthly readings of local authors in a series called "Utter Reading." It's a great way for the Indie bookstore to attract crowd and also provide exposure to the local talent. The bookstore also hosts the Austin Chronicle Awards every year. It has a "Keep Austin Weird" feel to it that the city really responds to.
Another tiny little bookstore that is popular here is called Book Woman where I will be reading on March 28. As the name suggests, it is a feminist bookstore with a decent following.
Shaila Abdullah
Saffron Dreams/Beyond the Cayenne Wall
Website: www.shailaabdullah.com
Good old Brazos bookshop here in Houston, Texas is still hosting many readings & book signings, such an important part of the reader-author give and take. Long may it survive!
Great topic, Chitra! I *love* my neighborhood bookstore, the BookSmith (1644 Haight Street, San Francisco, 415-863-8688 or 800-493-7323, http://www.booksmith.com). Great selection, comfortable space, a nice children's area and poetry section, and awesome neighborhood to walk around as well.
The owners Christin and Praveen are committed to supporting local authors and also are the founders of a web community, http://www.litminds.org, which is kind of like an independent bookstore/bookgroup in cyberspace.
Thanks, everyone, for all these interesting comments that bear out how special our indies are. Please keep them coming!
Here's one more that my friend Xuefei (Ha Jin) emailed to me from Boston:
Dear Chitra,
Glad to hear from you and hope you are enjoying the tour. My favorite
independent bookstore is Powell's Books in Portland, OR, the biggest
one.
Best regards,
Xuefei
Thanks, everyone, for all these interesting comments that bear out how special our indies are. Please keep them coming!
Here's one more that my friend Xuefei (Ha Jin) emailed to me from Boston:
Dear Chitra,
Glad to hear from you and hope you are enjoying the tour. My favorite
independent bookstore is Powell's Books in Portland, OR, the biggest
one.
Best regards,
Xuefei
I want to give a shout out to A Great Good Place for Books in Montclair Village. I love the support that Kathleen gives to us
readers and writers. Sometimes just half a dozen people come to a reading, and we fill the space. Each one of us is important. We are intimates. As a teacher, I care mightily about class size.
A Great Good Place for Books has perfect class size.