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A Readerwise newsletter throwback

The world of independent bookstores is rich and interesting. Such a topic is difficult to tackle in writing, but I will attempt it, taking from my own experiences.

First, let us travel to southern California, to a one-of-a-kind bookstore in a beautiful building, an old bank. There is a book tunnel, and even books in the old bank vault. The name, The Last Bookstore. Location: Los Angeles, California. Such a name seems fitting in this modern age of ebooks and audiobooks. Yet the appeal of the printed word lives on. Here’s a view on the first floor:

Moving north up the west coast, we come to Powell’s City of Books, a bookstore the size of a city block, and with 3 levels! One memory that lives on in the author’s mind is the room with rare books, containing a collector’s edition of T. E Lawrence.

Next we go all the way to the Big Apple, right to the heart of Manhattan, just south of Union Square Park, on 12th street. We have arrived at Strand Bookstore: 18 Miles of Books. It is all that remains of an area called Book Row.

Next stop: the South, to a local favorite of this writer, the humbly named Book Mart of Mississippi’s college town, Starkville, MS. The store owner is a friendly middle-aged woman, the first floor is new books, complete with a nice sitting area near the children’s literature, MSU memorabilia and apparel, and a small coffee bar/café in back. On the upper floor you’ll find used books, and soft chairs. The small town feel still reigns in this place. Here is a view from the street, University Drive:

(sidewalk view)

Inside:

With this, we pause our journey, but we will meet again to talk of other bookstores that I have had the privilege to visit. Thank you for your time and attention. Remember to visit the local bookstore the next time you are travelling. 😉

To be continued..

-S. W.

This is a column originally produced by ReaderWise on 10/5/2022.