I’ve always liked independent bookstores because they have character. The owners put their own tastes and their own love of books into their store. It must work, because I can’t think of an independent bookstore I didn’t like.
There is an independent bookstore in San Diego’s touristy Seaport Village called the Upstart Crow where you can browse for books, have some coffee, and shop for those silly little somethings we all love. I love it for the ambiance. I love it the most of all the shops there (and there are a lot of shops to browse in). Where else could locals and tourists meet over their love of books?
In San Diego’s Old Town, just along the fringes of the touristy shops, there used to be a book store that sold Mysteries exclusively. That’s my kind of store! It’s moved somewhere, but I lost it in the move.
San Diego’s Adams Avenue Book Store, is a musty house filled to the brim with books rare, old, and new. It smells of books handled many times.
In Del Mar’s Flower Hill District there’s a little independent book store called The Book Works that has an interesting cafe next door (Panikin). You can buy a book or magazine, then go next door to read it. They make it easy with a door between the two shops.
I now live north of San Diego in an area known as “North County.” With the exception of Flower Hill, which is in North County, I just don’t get into “town” like I used to. I still love books and I still love independent bookstores. So, where do I go when I want to browse for mysteries and I’m not in the mood to browse in a chain store’s offerings?
I’d have to say the Mysterious Galaxy. You can order books online and have them sent to you. (http://mysteriousgalaxy.booksense.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp) While most bookstores are quiet places, the Mysterious Galaxy often full of authors and their readers. There’s a book case full of signed books. The staff has a lively attitude and they don’t mind spending a little time talking. It’s just nice to be able to walk their stacks looking for a good read.
I get their newsletter by email. In it they list authors (big and small) who are coming to sign books with an invitation to join the party. This afternoon, intrigued by an offering of a High Tea, I ordered two books online, asked for autographed copies, and told them I’d pick them up when I came in for tea. The authors of these books will be there. Isn’t that great? All you need to do is love a good book.
On one of my lists we talk often of how authors can meet their readers. It sounds like a good thing. Authors like to meet their readers. Readers like to meet the authors. The question is where and how to get the word out. Bookstores like Mysterious Galaxy are the ideal place. Maybe there are some independent bookstores near where you live.
Marilynne
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