Thank goodness for the sunlight that creeps in and fills the house with light. Gray winter mornings are not nearly as welcome. But bright winter sun, bouncing off the white of the snow on the ground, is very welcome indeed.
I was looking at some books that I’ve had for a long time the other day and these bookmarks were buried among the pages:
Sigh. A blast from the past, a past that included more independent bookshops. These bookmarks represent two of my favorite bookshops, one in Philadelphia, one in Cambridge.
On the left: Sessler’s. Oh, how I loved this bookshop. It was on Walnut Street in Philadelphia and in the early to mid-eighties, when I was living in Philadelphia while attending graduate school at Temple University, I stopped in there several times a week. It was what you would like a bookshop to be – lots of floor to ceiling bookshelves. Cozy. Books of all kinds, on all subjects. Classical music playing in the background. And the manager, Hayes Hibberd, was the quintessential bookseller. He knew books. They were like family members to him. There wasn’t much he didn’t know about books past and present. He would often put books aside for his customers, books that he knew they would like, books to expand their reading horizons.
And his voice! Obviously, in my line of work, I am very aware of the sound of the human voice and I have my preferences. Mellifluous, rich, resonant? Yes and yes and yes. Hayes had that kind of voice. It’s been over 30 years since I lived there and I can still hear his voice in my head.
Sessler’s started to go out of business while I was still living there – in 1986 – one of the early deaths which came about because of competition from chain bookstores. It broke my heart. I was a very poor graduate student at the time, but when I heard the news that they were closing, I went into the shop and bought a large copy of an atlas, which had been marked down. I needed something to commemorate the occasion.
I still mourn the passing of Sessler’s.
On the right: WordsWorth Books. Oh, my heart. WordsWorth was situated in Harvard Square. I lived just about 5 blocks from Harvard Square, so as you can imagine, I made sure I visited that bookstore often. It had everything. The Boston area loves bookstores, and in those days there were a lot of them. WordsWorth was my favorite. It had a knowledgeable staff, large windows, sunny corners in which to peruse a book or two. You can read their tag line on the bookmark: “For the voracious reader.” And I was, and am, a voracious reader. “More than 100,000 titles in stock in 95 subject categories.”
Sigh.
WordsWorth went out of business in 2004. By the time I had a chance to revisit Cambridge and Boston a few years back, it was long gone. I didn’t know that at the time and I went to Cambridge to see my old haunts, the apartment building I used to live in, and WordsWorth.
It wasn’t there. I remember thinking, “Am I remembering the location correctly?”
But I was. And it wasn’t.
Favorite bookshops are like beloved friends. When they go out of business, due to the economy, due to competition from juggernauts like Amazon or Barnes and Noble, we mourn their passing. Our hearts break a little. And just like the big box store or chain restaurant makes every town look like every other town, the loss of the mom and pop store version of the bookstore eliminates the unique and quirky. They fade out of sight.
Thankfully, independent bookstores are still going strong, in spite of the competition. Many have been lost, but many have also survived. Let’s make sure we help them along the way by buying books from them when we can. Yes, I use Amazon at times. I definitely use my local library. I buy used books. But last year, I made a vow to buy books from independent booksellers when I can. And I’ve done very well with that vow, I’m proud to say.
Oh, almost forgot. I sometimes get friend requests on Facebook from people whose names I don’t recognize. Some of those requests I dismiss immediately. If you send a friend request to me, please let me know who you are. I might not recognize your full name. Thanks.
Happy Friday.
I like the first photograph very much – the title of the book seems very appropriate. I keep bookmarks as souvenirs and it’s amazing the memories they conjure up of where and when I purchased a particular book.
I buy about 90% of my books and DVDs from our local independent bookseller which is now a third generation business. The young woman who presently runs it is awesome at filling special orders, whether I already have the specific ISBN number or just wander in needing help with a gift.
It would be a very sad day if they were to ever close their doors.
I agree. You can forge a relationship with an independent bookseller, and that’s priceless.
We used to have more bookstores around here too, but alas, most are gone. I find the older I get, the less our culture is “my” culture. Things I like are going the way of the dinosaur. I have to buy a kid meal when I want a hamburger or I will get a meal fit for a family. I find new music hard to get through to find the new music I like. If it wasn’t for Tony Bennett and his new CD’s with the new kids, I don’t think I would hear their beautiful voices at all. Most of their music doesn’t speak to me at all. The clothes, the attitudes, the shows on TV, mostly scare me. Is it just me?
No. It’s a lot of us, I think!
Tina, I’m right there with you. The good thing about tv: more time to read!
jane-in-tx
We have a book shop here that seems to be doing well, as it actually moved to a bigger store and is more on the main street view. I do like independent shops more so than the big name ones.
I hope you are having a wonderful day. Are you going to Don’s show tomorrow night? He has it up on his Facebook page. I listened to all of his songs last night, then watched the two videos. He wrote that song about you, didn’t he? You’ve got a great guy with a wonderful voice!
Hugs to you, Don and the Dame
Deb
No, I’m staying home with Scoutie, who can’t be left alone for too long. Don’s doing what is called a House Concert, which is a private concert in someone’s home, for their invited guests.
We have a bit of sunshine here today and I’m so happy! Charlie is in the window seat and soaking it up. You have inspired me to find out if there is a local bookstore here in my little town and there is! I am making a vow to visit and support them! I’ll do a post on it!
hugs,
Linda
Oh good! I hope you have a great time there, Linda!
I live near a big university town and there used to be more bookstores, especially used ones, when I attended school there. Sadly, Amazon and e-readers contribute much to the demise of small independents. I’ve passed on the love of how a book feels in your hands as you read to my daughters, so though they are modern tech girls, they prefer to read a physical book. Our e-readers come with us on long trips. I borrow most of my non-craft books from the library, and hunt down crafting books I want at local used bookstores.
Apparently, according to the latest statistics, eReaders have leveled out and are not really keeping consumers from buying physical books – the predictions about all of that aren’t coming true. That’s good news!
We have a great bookstore here on Long Island that I have been going to since I moved here 25 years ago. They also have a great many authors that come to sign and read their books. I have gone to readings for Pete Hamill, Frank McCourt and Caroline Kennedy among others. It is a bright light in our town. I try to use Amazon for their wish list since I have a mind like a sieve! When I am ready to purchase a book, I go to the bookstore and get it there.
Sounds like a great way to manage it – and it sounds like you have a great bookstore there! Lucky you!
Hi Claudia, When we first moved to our town 25 years ago there was a lovely independent bookstore that I frequented. In fact, I joined their book club and read and discussed some very interesting (and some not so interesting) books for a couple of years. Then they went out of business. In the past I would go to B&N, but can’t stand that store now which is not very much about books these days. It is interesting to me, though, that the chain stores like B&N put many independent stores out of business. Now the chain stores are floundering (and, of course, Borders is gone). Cycles I guess. Now it is Amazon, etc. There is maybe one independent store near me, but they don’t offer much (I should try them again, but I’ve been disappointed many times).
You can always order through them, but I know what you mean. One of our local independent stores has very little inventory and that can get frustrating!
There was a mystery bookstore a couple of doors down from a clock shop that we occassionally frequented. I drove by a couple of weeks ago…the bookstore was no more. I think I missed an opportunity. But, I never found the time…what a shame I missed out. It’s a difficult dilemma to me…..while I want to support local businesses of all sorts, often times their goods are more expensive to purchase. So I often find myself in a debate…do I frequent the big box store to save money, or do I spend more to buy local? I’ve bought a few books from Amazon…I had a gift card, quite a few from our second hand bookstore, from Costco…can not beat their price, and even from our grocery store which offers a discount. I really did enjoy Borders…why did they shut their doors? I no longer frequent B&N…not enough books! I truly miss the browsing in a real bookstore…I’ll have to go on a quest! ;)
I miss Borders, too. I think they expanded too much and ran into trouble. I used to go the very first Borders – in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This was long before they became a chain. So their demise make me doubly sad.
We use to go to Cole’s Bookstore in La Jolla, California. They had the best art books in San Diego County. My husband is a potter and he could always find books about ceramics. The older woman/mother had a passion for books and art books. When the parents retired the children did not want to continue with the bookstore.
Oh no! I used to go to Cole’s when I was living in San Diego. I’m so, so sad that it’s no more.
The big box stores have killed so many small independent shops of all kinds. It is sad. On-line shopping is so easy to do and has also led to their demise. It is such a dilemma.
I have a young friend ~ she is 6 years old. Our friendship is based on our love of books and story-telling. We can sit together and tell stories for several hours. Such fun! For Valentine’s Day she made me a bookmark. I will treasure it forever.
I know the story of staying close to home and not leaving the fur babies behind. We are still on “watch” here w/ our dear girl. No signs of pain so far, but we know it is truly a matter of weeks or days. Each morning is a gift when she smiles at us and runs to go outside.
Thinking of you and your beloved girl, Chris. Sending you hugs and support as you go through this part of her journey. It’s never easy, my friend, but you are handling it with love and grace.
Since I check out a lot of library books, I often find business cards used as bookmarks. It is interesting to see the information on the cards and where others have been. But now that you brought it up, I wish I had thought to keep all the bookmarks I’ve come across over the years. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing to collect. Darn, I’m about 40 years late in starting.
Me too! I just happened upon these and now I’m going to put them away where I can’t lose them!
I’m so sad about the little corner bookstores disappearing all over the country Claudia. I grew up in Boise and my mother’s favorite thing to do was take my little sis and I with her once her other’s were out the door for school and we would ride the bus downtown to the bookstore. I still remember the smells and the kind owner who always had time to talk to my mom. It’s sad that even my own children and their children will never have that memory.
It’s really sad, June. Sigh. So much of the ‘changes’ going on are – for me – NOT for the better. Much love to you, friend.
I agree, Claudia, and try to do the same. Even though it’s very often cheaper to use Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc, I’ll happily pay shipping charges if it means giving my business to an independent bookseller. I’ve bought books from Martha’s Vineyard, California, New Mexico, Texas and Minnesota in the last year, and been glad to do it. I know change is inevitable. I know we can’t hang on to everything we love forever. I know the world marches bravely forth, yadda yadda. But bookstores are one thing I just won’t give up on. Not without a good solid fight at least. PS – it’s fun to come home [or open the front door] and find a box of books waiting for you on your doorstep. Have a great weekend [hoping it will stay sunny].
I agree. I’ll fight to the finish, Janet! Have a wonderful weekend.
“If you have a library and a garden,
you have everything you need.” ~ Cicero
Claudia, you always inspire me. I immediately contacted our local bookstores to see if they could special order books for me. I always go to B&N – well, now I am going to check our local bookstores that I have neglected. A Novel Idea (don’t you love the name), Indigo Bridge and Bluestem Books. I am from Nebraska and live outside the city on an acreage, but work in town. No reason not to support my local bookstores. Thank you for the nudge.
On another note, if you have not read “The Invention of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd, I strongly make the suggestion. It was very good and my book club reviews tonight over bowls of homemade soup and bread.
Love that quote, Cindy. How very true it is! So glad you’re going to support your local independent bookshops!
I’ve so many good things about The Invention of Wings – it’s definitely on my list!
I feel sorry for those bookstores and the people who loved them..they sound like they were pleasant places to browse for your next read..or two..or three..I wish we had something like that here..
They were wonderful havens for readers, Nancy. I still mourn them. In the case of Sessler’s – it’s been almost 30 years and I still can’t get over it!
We don’t have any book stores near us except b&n so I try to use our library. Doris
You make a good point about independently owned book stores…for that matter any store that is local and striving in this economy, is worthy of faithful patrons!
We live in a small town, with a Dollar General being the largest chain store here…until the end of March. We’re getting a Neighborhood Market (walmart) … :( I’m not really happy about it.
This area needs businesses. But I’m not certain this is the way to go. Anyway… for groceries I drive to the next town over, but on quick trips when I know exactly what I want– I do visit the local Heritage Market (formerly Pennsylvania Dutch Bakery) they carry produce, local milk and butter, and have a meat counter for cold cuts and things. I digress…
Ah! book stores– we do have a little hole in the wall Used Book store- in the next town over, right near the grocer. I should make it a point to visit!
I like the book markers… would you be framing them, and perhaps putting them on the new book shelves. I couldn’t help but notice the color, it will fit right in with your decor!
have a great weekend, Claudia!
:)