The Essential Independent Bookstore

In celebration of their latest book release, The Emotion Thesaurus, Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, hosts of the The Bookshelf Muse, are throwing a kindness party and you're invited.

 Here's what the invitation says:

"Kindness is POWERFUL. Even the smallest gesture can fuel a person and keep them going.

All over the blogosphere, you'll see Random Acts of Kindness toward Writers.These are by people who want to share their appreciation for those who have helped or supported them at some point along the Writing Path.

We've seen a lot of changes in the Industry lately. Change can lead to great things, but there's always growing pains that go along with it. Today is a day to forget what divides us and instead remember what unites us. We all share a passion for the written word. Today, let's celebrate those who write!"

I choose independent booksellers as the recipient of my random act of kindness gift. These individuals provide a haven for readers and writers. In this era of digital downloads and online ordering, bookstore owners are struggling to survive. Albert Greco, a Fordham University professor who studies book marketing, says, "Chain and independent stores have never been under more pressure, and it's not all digital." When Borders was still in business, Greco calculated that Amazon had 22.6% of the book market—ahead of Barnes & Nobel (17%), Borders (8.1%), Books-A-Million (3%), and independents (6%).

A bookstore is my favorite place to take myself on a date. I cringe when I read headlines like this: Figures Show Dramatic Collapse in Independent Booksellers (from the Guardian, 10/4/11 http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/oct/04/collapse-independent-booksellers).

Bookstores are the heart of a community. Keep that heart beating. 

Here are a few of the reasons I love my community bookstore, East Line Books: 

• A cozy atmosphere that turns book browsing into an enjoyable experience.
• A cup of coffee and cookie to add a bit more pleasure to my search.  
• An owner who is ready to assist with missions like, "I need a unique book for my father's 80th birthday gift basket."
• A gathering place for events such as author book signings, book clubs, workshops, creative writing classes, poetry circles and guest speakers.
• Conversations with strangers who turn into friends.
• East Line Books is often involved in, and even initiates, community events, such as used book sales for charity. 

Just read this passage from the East Line Book Website:

"Robyn, the bookseller, is dedicated to providing the best selection of books, the best classes, the best service, and the most welcoming environment to all of the wonderfully diverse people of our community."  

That's why my contribution to the Celebrate Writers Through Random Acts of Kindness party is to encourage all to buy a book at an independent bookstore. Keep these treasures alive. If everyone who reads, buys one book per month in a store, these shops will continue to be a cherished member of communities.

Please share something special about a book store you love in the comment section.

ACT OF KINDNESS ASSIGNMENT:

Buy a Book in a Store!    

KICK BACK SONG OF THE WEEK:

Morning Morgantown by Joni Mitchell—a beautiful song about the simplicity of small town living. I love the first line:  "When morning comes to Morgantown, the merchants roll their awnings down."

KICK BACK BOOK OF THE WEEK: 


The Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Alice Kimberly (The Haunted Bookshop Mystery Series)
Protagonist Penelope Thornton-McClure owns a mystery bookstore in a small seaside town in Rhode Island. It happens to be haunted by Jack Shepard, a private investigator who was killed in 1949. The pair work together to solve crimes in five installments of the series published between 2004 and 2009.



A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA:

"Standing there, staring at the long shelves crammed with books, I felt myself relax and was suddenly at peace."

Helene Hanff, Q's Legacy