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Aug
12
Tuesday Thingers: Favorite Bookstores
2008 at 1pm Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
Today’s question is: Favorite bookstores. What’s your favorite bookstore? Is it an online store or a bricks-and-mortar store? How often do you go book shopping? Is your favorite bookstore (or bookstores) listed as a favorite in LT? Do you attend events at local bookstores? Do you use LT to find events?
My favorite bookstore is Bookman’s Alley in Evanston, IL. I wrote about it for a recent Booking Through Thursday post, so you can read more by clicking here. Bookman’s Alley is a wonderful place to while away an afternoon, add books to your personal collection, and just soak in the atmosphere.
Since I work for a bookstore, I do most of my book shopping at work, or I visit other locations where I can still use my discount (a great perk for this bibliomaniac!). I find it difficult to browse if I drop by my store on the weekend because I start noticing things that are out of place and feeling tempted to pop into my office to “just check on a few things,” so I do tend to go elsewhere for browsing.
The Fountain Bookstore in downtown Richmond is the city’s best indie bookseller, and I think it’s important to suport them, too…kind of makes up for the fact that I work for “the man.” The Fountain is listed as one of my favorites on LT, and they have tons of author appearances and special events, so I use the LT local event listing to stay on top of it. Between author appearances I coordinate at my store (and midnight release parties, book groups, etc.) and appearances at The Fountain, I see and meet a good number of writers.
I’m currently reading Matrimony by Joshua Henkin and am really looking forward to meeting him at The Fountain on September 15th, as he tours to promote the paperback release of this fantastic novel. I’ll be reviewing it later this week.
Scroll down to read this morning’s review of The Handmaid’s Tale and click here to enter to win a signed copy of Months and Seasons by Christopher Meeks, who is getting a good bit of buzz over on LT himself.
Happy Tuesday, Thingers!
I may have to pop up to Evanston some time and check this place out. You talk about it so much I’m starting to wonder what it is that I’m missing!
I have a shirt for you.
Unfortunately, where I live there is not an awesome discount bookstore, just a big Borders (a.k.a. “the man”) and a few, small independent (and more expensive) stores. Several of the “used” bookstores have closed (probably because their “used” books often had rather unused prices), which is sad. My favorite bookstore is probably Powell’s in Portland, OR. I never fail to visit it when I’m in Portland, which is hardly ever, but if I end up moving there, I’m sure I’ll be there all the time. (I can’t wait!). For now, I’m a big fan of thrift stores and friends of the library book sales; that’s where I pick up most of my books– it’s a good way to get quality books on the cheap.
Jen: Definitely take a trip up to Evanston…I hope you’ll love it as much as I do, but I’m afraid some of the charm for me is in the memories made there.
Alisha: If I didn’t know my financial advisor husband would have a heart attack looking at the credit card bill, I’d order one of each of those t-shirts right now. I love “what happens at storytime stays at storytime” and “will work for books.” Perfect!
If I worked at a bookstore I don’t think my paycheques would ever make it home!
The fountain sounds awesome
I’d love to have your job – it sounds so perfect for a book lover. I’ve only been to Richmond once and didn’t get to visit any of the bookstores, but I’m hoping to get back down there one of these days (I love that part of Virginia) and I’ll definitely check out The Fountain.
Say hi to Joshua Henkin from Literate Housewife. I hope that he’s as nice in person as he is through email.
I can’t really imagine anything better than working in a bookstore. Dangerous, for sure, but it must be totally fabulous.
Hey, I got tagged for a ‘book buzz’ meme and I thought you would be a great person to tag, since you work in a bookstore and all…
My post is here.
Wow! I should check my Google Alerts more often.
Thanks for the props, Rebecca. I owe you a cocktail!
We’re having “cocktails with the author” tomorrow night and we’d love to see you if you’re not working.
(Details on the website).
If not, I’ll see you at Joshua Henkin and I’ll treat you to one then. Maybe he’ll join us!
When people who love books love my bookstore, I feel like I’ve done my job.
Back to it, then and thanks again.