I have just returned from my locally owned bookstore and it was a necessary trip, a stress reliever. Not just for the book I purchased; another copy of "Glass Castle" (I read my first copy then did a random shelf cleaning and book trading) but also for the simple bookstore experience.  (No hard feelings J.W.! See, I went out and got another copy!)

The minute I got in the car, the second I stepped in the door, the moment I checked the first shelf, my blood pressure lowered to an almost sleep state and life was good.

My methods are typical and patterned. I first check the used book racks, a mix match of roll out bookshelves my bookstore, Changing Hands delivers right outside the door to lure you in. After a quick scan, I walk into the door, the bell rings and to the left are the latest used books. I have found some great pieces sitting just waiting for me right on these shelves. The "trade-in" counter is almost always busy and today was no exception.

The store was a buzz today. Star Wars groupies were everywhere for a special event and a complete mock up of R2D2 roamed the aisles. There are no e-book wookies here, no tablet carrying readers (okay maybe a couple. Those tablets are cool for some things), no sir. These were walk the aisle, scan the covers, pick up and flip the pages people; my people.

I love my bookstore. It is my escape, it is my spa day, my piece of chocolate cake, my comfort. I love reading and yes, I think those e-books are okay (I did purchase an e-book on my son's Kindle but I do not personally own an e-reader), but my friends - there is nothing like my bookstore. It's the brushing up against shoulders of word seekers, the sharing a table with a stranger, the inclination to reach out to a browser and let them know, "That book, "Autobiography of a Face" by Lucy Grealy is wonderful, you'll love it". One fellow book fan who apparently was having some trouble with a large beaded necklace she was wearing, caught me in the memoir aisle and asked if I would be so kind to help her remove it. It was itching her neck. Connection to our fellow readers, writers and the books we love.

Can't download that.


Do you have a favorite bookstore or book experience to share? I am working on posting photos on my blog but am having a bit of a time.  More posts to come! 

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