Our little trip to the bookstore was such fun! I’ve been to this bookstore before, but gosh, it has to be over 8 years ago. It’s across the Hudson River in the charming town – and I mean charming – of Rhinebeck, NY. The Country Living Fair is in Rhinebeck every year. There’s also a great antiques store there that we love – although we haven’t been there for a couple of years. Anyway, Oblong Books is far better than I remembered, so clearly I didn’t investigate it thoroughly. Maybe I just ran in and out in the past?

It’s an independent bookshop. There is one other Oblong location in a small town to the east. I have to say that this location is wonderful.

When we arrived, we were walking around and quickly realized that they were playing John Prine’s newest album over the speakers. Don LOVES John Prine. And later? The Beatles. Needless to say those music choices made Don a forever fan of this bookshop.

The fiction section was excellent. It reminded me very much of the fiction section in Writer’s Block in Las Vegas. And that’s high praise. The same attention to detail, the same far-ranging choice of stock. Everything interested me. And all along the bookshelves, both in this section and throughout the shop, were handwritten notes about certain books. They were written by the staff. Here’s an example:

I couldn’t agree more, Lisa. This is one of my favorite books ever.

These brief synopses with a personal comment from the staff member are very helpful. Just enough information to help you decide yay or nay.

They have an excellent children’s section, lots of nonfiction, nature, design, reference and cook books. And lots of books about books. They really have everything. Plus, they carry music CDs. I didn’t examine that inventory but I will in the future.

This is a shop where the staff really knows about the books they carry, about as unlike a chain as you can get.

There are chairs scattered around the store and a big sofa, where I found Don looking at three books that interested him. I could have bought scads, of course. We made the decision to buy two books each.

I could have spent hours there, but we were hungry and had to grab a quick healthy lunch to go (at the neighboring natural foods store.) Someday, I’ll go to Rhinebeck and give you a tour. There are great restaurants, a wonderful and well-respected film venue, Upstate Films, that has been there for years, very old buildings and carriage houses, and some really neat shops.

Anyway, I’ve found my ‘local’ bookshop. Huzzah! I put local in quotes, because it takes about 50 minutes or so to get there. North on the thruway, east to the Hudson River, a beautiful bridge crossing over the Hudson, then further east and south to Rhinebeck.

Since we live in the country, nothing is very close, except our local supermarket. It takes at least 30 minutes to get to Barnes & Noble and Target, for example. So it’s all relative. It’s definitely worth the trip for me.

But not too often, because if I see books, I buy books.

It’s going to be 89 today and humid. Tomorrow? 68 and rainy. Strange weather we’re having!

Happy Wednesday.