Leaving any bookstore is hard, especially on a day in August, when the street outside burns and glares, and the books inside are cool and crisp to the touch;”
Jane Smiley
It is hot! The last several days, our old thermometer, hanging on the lone pole bringing electricity across a pasture or three to my house here in Central Texas, has read anywhere from 102 to 110 degrees. I’m not sure what the official temps for our area have been or how far from my house the official temperature stations are; but, I will tell you I’ve felt every degree on that thermometer. So far, it has been a hot summer, as most summers are. We have had a mild summer now and again, but such are few and far between. And by mild, we in these parts mean many days under 100. Maybe 95 or so. And an occasional almost cool morning. Now I’m wondering how bad August will be.
Believe it or not, heat is not what I want to talk about. I want to discuss bookstores. I love the Jane Smiley quote above. Ms. Smiley is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and writer. Her writing includes numerous novels, the Greenlanders and A Thousand Acres among them; short stories; non-fiction articles and books; and young adult novels. Like most authors, she obviously frequents bookstores. And there’s the rub.
I have been known to become morose when I think of all the bookstores, I once frequented that no longer exist–many of them chains. Borders Bookstores is one chain, in particular, I loved. Here, locally, we had a Hastings Entertainment that carried a lot of lovely books, but, alas, it, too, is gone. It appears that online book-buying and eBooks have conspired to wipeout so many brick-and-mortar stores. The only chains I ever see anymore are Barnes and Noble and a Books-A-Million now and then. They are good. I simply want more.
Still, there have been some nice developments in the retail and used book arena in the form of small town, neighborhood, and even large town private book shops. All is not lost. Mom and Pop book shops have returned with all their friendly charm and cozy warmth (or cool as the case may be). I have happened upon many. Each time, I feel I have won the lottery–well, kind of. I live in a rural area, out in the county, but the love of reading paper books and frequenting real bookshops cannot be squelched. Bookbinding is an artform unto itself, and bookshops their own opera house. Three wonderful bookshops not so many miles from me that I’ve recently enjoyed are Rhythm & CO Books in Glen Rose, Texas, Arts and Letters Bookstore in Granbury, Texas, and Intermission Bookshop in Brownwood, Texas. So often, I feel the smaller, local book shops are the answer to all the world’s problems. Please feel free to add any bookshops you love in the comments below.
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Sigh. It is sad to see them go, isn’t it? But it is a joy to stumble upon a good used bookstore or two, which I make an effort to find when we’re traveling.
We live about an hour from a college town, and there is a local charitable organization with a thrift store that takes donations. Books are not their specialty, but it is a popular place for retiring professors to drop their stashes. I don’t think anyone except me is interested in very old texts, or reference works, so I get lucky a lot!
Yes, used book stores can be a treasure trove. The three stores I mentioned carry both new and used—a perfect combination. College towns make great book hunting grounds. Thanks for your comment.
It’s easy to get lost in a book store…nice article!
Thanks for the comment. In 110-degree weather, it’s a “cool” way to spend time.
This made me think of our visit to Square Books in Oxford. Glad to learn of some small bookshops in our area. Love the quote from Jane Smiley!
Ah, wasn’t Oxford, MS wonderful? Lovely people there, too. Thanks for the comment and the memory!