tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post8202477079805069177..comments2024-03-29T01:47:48.560-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Choosing a Town by its Bookstore: The Reds Dish Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4615074689828448182016-06-20T22:05:03.190-04:002016-06-20T22:05:03.190-04:00Interesting how many of us plan visiting bookstore...Interesting how many of us plan visiting bookstores into our vacations. I try to buy one item in each of the bookstores in the town where we vacation. A couple of gift shops have large book sections. Last summer I found myself returning to one of them every couple of days. The couple that owned the gift shop/bookstore sold both new and used books and gave me the impression they loved selling books more than anything else. <br /><br />Ann, thanks to arthritis I can't hold large books anymore. If a book I'm interested in has more than a certain number of pages I'll check to see if there's an e-version.(I once sprained my shoulder trying to manage a large book, and I was much younger then!) Also, I can't read really small fonts any longer. Being able to adjust the font size on my e-reader is such a blessing!<br /><br />Deb RomanoDeb Romanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01650858888197217258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-21900980794442260192016-06-20T21:08:29.591-04:002016-06-20T21:08:29.591-04:00The COOP in Harvard Square was my favorite for yea...The COOP in Harvard Square was my favorite for years and Vromans in Pasadena are favorites. I cherish the books my mother got for me from Vroman's.Maureen Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499876353651763590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-654120661367759372016-06-20T20:37:22.960-04:002016-06-20T20:37:22.960-04:00As another Portlander, I must stick up for three &...As another Portlander, I must stick up for three "curated" bookstores that also are very author-friendly. Broadway Books, Annie Bloom's Books, and Another Read Through (a used bookstore) all hold many events that support local and not-so-local writers. Powell's is for the browser; these three are for readers who want someone to have culled out much and left the rest. We all lament the loss of Murder By the Book... I'm sure fellow Portlanders Cindy Brown and Lisa Alber would agree with me on all of these choices...<br /><br />Deborah: if you're coming to Portland and need a wrangler, Rhys can attest that I am a pretty good squire if you need help getting to events if you have them scheduled...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00014242874264804584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10416917068722115722016-06-20T19:55:25.839-04:002016-06-20T19:55:25.839-04:00When I travel I look for independent bookstores, c...When I travel I look for independent bookstores, coffee shops and shops that carry cross stitch and quilting supplies. Gives a clue as to how I spend my time. Last summer I was in the Carolinas. Biltmore was quite impressive, sort of Downton Abbey on steroids but Malaprops Bookstore in Asheville was just wonderful. I spent a lovely rainy morning there browsing the shelves and finding wonderful books to follow me home. This was topped off with coffee in the coffee shop corner of the bookstore. The staff is simply grand.<br /><br />I live in southeast New Mexico next to the Texas border. Post, Texas, a small town near Lubbock has a delightful bookstore called Ruby Lane Books and Gallery. The owner is also an author who has written a series of books about the history of Harvey Houses in several states. Ruby Lane is a Siamese kitty that lives in the store and is the official greeter. If you find yourself in Lubbock a short trip to Ruby Lane is worth the trip.Mary Patnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-60715679630931045182016-06-20T17:27:55.626-04:002016-06-20T17:27:55.626-04:00I haven't traveled enough to see many bookstor...I haven't traveled enough to see many bookstores. I've HEARD of many of these and want to see them. Where I live there just aren't many bookstores anymore. Our town had one that went out of business because they couldn't afford the new owner's rent. It was there more than ten years. Three businesses since haven't been able to make it there. <br />Maybe someday I'll get to visit your faves and maybe bump into you. 😉Ann Metterthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02290723620871351744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-88062397605600442722016-06-20T15:39:01.017-04:002016-06-20T15:39:01.017-04:00Roberta/Lucy: I know several authors who have peti...Roberta/Lucy: I know several authors who have petitioned for the return of the Festival of Mystery. Maybe someday...Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-42614454888096645742016-06-20T15:34:58.254-04:002016-06-20T15:34:58.254-04:00Love all these bookstore ideas!
Karen, I would lo...Love all these bookstore ideas!<br /><br />Karen, I would love to see the GOOD NIGHT MOON room!<br /><br />I have been to Portland and Powell's--that's a find! and also used to love the Mystery Lovers Festival in Oakmont--it was always a party with authors and booklovers and Mary Alice and Richard...<br /><br />Diana, The Mysterious Bookshop is on Warren St in New York City, and I profess a serious weakness for the Strand...<br /><br />Would love to visit Joseph Beth, and especially Parnassus, because it's in Nashville and founded by Ann Patchett!<br /><br />Also Nora Roberts founded Turn the Page in Boonsboro, MD.<br /><br />and Kaye--your suggestions are great.<br /><br />A grand tour is in order!Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27159797918195526462016-06-20T15:32:42.569-04:002016-06-20T15:32:42.569-04:00The Book Loft in Solvang Ca is a "must visit&...The Book Loft in Solvang Ca is a "must visit" every time we are in Pismo Beach. In fact we were there so many times last year, that the owner commented "you folks are local....right?".......Well....we actually live four hours away in Northern California :). Great selection of Scandinavian literature.....adults and children, and well selected and diversified non-fiction, fiction, and poetry, with some book/writing related unique gift items as well as a great selection of puzzles! Nice coffee house attached.<br />HelenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58757677749837436152016-06-20T14:34:31.738-04:002016-06-20T14:34:31.738-04:00I agree that a bookstore tour across the country w...I agree that a bookstore tour across the country would be an awesome trip. There are so many of these bookstores that I am constantly hearing about and would love to visit. Of course, as a reader, I can still read about bookstores and bookselling and the love of books. One of my favorite books is entitled The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop: A Memoir, a History by Lewis Buzbee, published in 2006. Buzbee started working in a bookstore as a teenager and was a bookseller at City Lights in San Francisco. Anyone, and that's most everyone I know, who has a love affair with books would enjoy his book. Here's a description of it. "In The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop, a Book Sense selection, Lewis Buzbee celebrates the unique experience of the bookstore-the smell and touch of books, the joy of getting lost in the deep canyons of shelves, and the silent community of readers. He shares his passion for books, which began with ordering through the Weekly Reader in grade school. Woven throughout is a fascinating historical account of the bookseller trade-from the great Alexandria library to Sylvia Beach's famous Paris bookstore, Shakespeare & Co. Rich with anecdotes, The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop is the perfect choice for those who relish the enduring pleasures of spending an afternoon finding just the right book."<br /><br />Karen mentioned Joseph-Beth Booksellers, a store that I've long been acquainted with due to its origins in Lexington, KY. It opened its first store there in November of 1986, and although I'm three hours away from it, I grew up around Lexington and went to the University of Kentucky for college, so it's my old stomping grounds. I've been to some great book events there, including Diana Gabaldon, which involved a dark and stormy night, getting lost on country roads between Lexington and Shakertown, and several more mishaps. And, of course, there was the fabulous visit from Debs at the Cincinnati Joseph-Beth's, which I had to miss. Oh, how I hated missing that. <br /><br />One bookstore that I have been wanting to visit is Parnassus Books in Nashville, which is a little over two hours from me. Author Ann Patchett is co-owner with Karen Hayes of this bookstore, which she opened partly in response to the closing of too many independent bookstores around her. In fact, Davis-Kidd, the local Nashville independent had closed in 2010 after selling out to Joseph-Beth. So, anyway, Parnassus is now a thriving bookstore and has great events, so I need to get myself there in the near future.<br /><br />The only bookstore in my town is Books-A-Million, which I'm not crazy about at all and don't patronize very often. It seems every time I go in that store, I come away grumbling how everything in the store should be done differently. It is not a book lover's atmosphere. Barnes and Noble is 40 minutes away, and I do like it, much more conducive to my book loving whims.<br /><br />Lucy, I'm glad to know that there is another bookshop in Key West now. That's something I found a bit lacking about my favorite vacation spot. Now, yet another reason to visit, and I love that it's connected to the art community. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46056331046994746052016-06-20T13:57:14.677-04:002016-06-20T13:57:14.677-04:00Lawrence is one of my all-time favorite towns! And...Lawrence is one of my all-time favorite towns! And Omaha is a wonderful city. The Henry Doorly Zoo alone is worth a visit. Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002794561817071780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-79665536232058731732016-06-20T13:27:11.606-04:002016-06-20T13:27:11.606-04:00I'm game for a Jungle Reds Book Tour and Trave...I'm game for a Jungle Reds Book Tour and Traveling Kaffeeklatch!<br /><br />Karen, your remarks about Joseph Beth made me think of a few other terrific midwestern bookstores: The Velveteen Rabbit in Fort Atkinson, WI, which partners with the delightful Dwight Foster Library for the best events. The town is midwestern-ideal as well, wide shady streets with pristine Italianate and Gothic Revival houses. <br /><br />Then there's the Raven in Lawrence, Kansas - well worth the trip - and the beautiful Prairie Lights in Iowa City, which has an amazing staff and a first rate series of events. <br /><br />Finally, I spent a wonderful afternoon at The Bookworm in Omaha (which has a surprising number of good restaurants that aren't steakhouses) which has been in business for thirty years now. They're a general interest store but very strong in mysteries.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-19639713183914460332016-06-20T12:48:09.443-04:002016-06-20T12:48:09.443-04:00bookmans.com/ started in Tucson, and has locations...bookmans.com/ started in Tucson, and has locations in Flagstaff, Mesa & Phoenix. This is a great used & new bookstore - they have a coffee shop, readings & musical events, exchange program where you bring in all your unwanted books and get store credit or cash.<br />Paulinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02786463183900120910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86619417667307607772016-06-20T11:35:02.543-04:002016-06-20T11:35:02.543-04:00Great comments above! Thank you for new places to...Great comments above! Thank you for new places to visit when I visit your town(s).<br /><br />This post reminded me of an article in the Sunday New York Times a while ago about an author who bought a historic building in a small town and set up a big bookstore in that building. I cannot recall where!<br /><br />When I lived in DC, one of my favorite bookstores was an indie and I think it is still in DC. It is called Politics and Prose and it was a cool bookstore.<br /><br />Another great bookstore in the SF Bay Area is Kepker's )sp?). It is within walking distance from the Cal Train stop in Menlo Park.<br /><br />After years of empty space where Black Oak Bookstore used to be, there is another indie bookstore, which opened some months ago (perhaps a year ago?). It is called Books Inc.<br /><br />Hallie,<br /><br />Love Book Passage. However, if you take the ferry from SF to Larkspur Landing, I think you will need to take a taxicab from Larkspur Landing to the bookstore. It is on the other side of the freeway so I do not know if it is possible to walk from the ferry landing to the bookstore. <br /><br />Do you still live in Los Angeles area? Is there a bookstore called Mr. Pickwick's Books?<br /><br />Deborah.<br /><br />Loved Powell's Books when we visited Portland. Reminded me of Cody's Books in Berkeley. Sad to say that Cody's Books is Not there anymore,<br /><br />Someone mentioned children's bookstores in one of the comments above. Loved children's bookstores. When I was little, there was a children's bookstore at a big shopping mall. That is where I got a children's book about Elizabeth Fry. It is not there anymore.<br /><br />Hank,<br /><br />A tour of bookstores across the country sound like a great idea!<br /><br />Rhys,<br /><br />One of these days I would love to visit Poisoned Pen bookstore in Arizona. I saw Barbara Peters at Malice this year.<br /><br />Susan,<br /><br />I am surprised that there are no Indie bookstores in New York City. For some reason, I thought there would be an indie bookstore in Greenwich Village?<br /><br />Everyone,<br />Thanks again for great comments!<br /><br />DianaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86307678756244078652016-06-20T11:23:07.531-04:002016-06-20T11:23:07.531-04:00How could I forget the Tattered Cover in Denver? B...How could I forget the Tattered Cover in Denver? Both locations! Seriously, I'd plan a vacation all around visiting tht bookstore -- so amazing. When I was there I found not only lots of terrific history books for research, but one of the Magic Treehouse books, the one with Charles Dickens, that I bought for Kiddo and was his gateway book to loving reading.Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9187819779285809412016-06-20T11:09:32.593-04:002016-06-20T11:09:32.593-04:00So many of these stores I love! And so many I'...So many of these stores I love! And so many I've been to and would love to go back. Looking very much forward to visiting Powell's in Portland for the first time next winter!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53323168324350761672016-06-20T11:08:22.373-04:002016-06-20T11:08:22.373-04:00Susan and I have spoken together at Jabberwocky! S...Susan and I have spoken together at Jabberwocky! SO fab.<br /><br />WOuld it be even possibly possible to do a Jungle Red tour??? Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-20994454421525144702016-06-20T11:06:56.714-04:002016-06-20T11:06:56.714-04:00Oh, Jennifer! A running tab! That is SO dangerous...Oh, Jennifer! A running tab! That is SO dangerous!<br /><br />I'm in the first editions book club at Brookline Booksmith--it's great, each month they choose a fabulous new book, and have the author sign it, and you get it automatically. Just like COlumbia Record Club! WIthout the 10 free :-) ….oxo Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-14328399134694640472016-06-20T11:06:08.565-04:002016-06-20T11:06:08.565-04:00Well, Plumgaga beat me to it. I live in Portland (...Well, Plumgaga beat me to it. I live in Portland (the left coast one) and POWELL'S is <i>the</i> bookstore to visit. There are three locations, the main store downtown, that's the whole-city-block one, as well as a large one east of town on Hawthorne that has mostly used books - tons of old paperbacks, which are hard to find these days - and another branch several miles west of the city. Though Powell's is a pretty large store, the staff make it feel like that small bookstore you love.<br /><br />When visiting my wife's daughter and grandkids in San Diego, Mysterious Galaxy is a fun place to stop.Rick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978136287154214297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-76469357705127320572016-06-20T10:59:41.598-04:002016-06-20T10:59:41.598-04:00I'm fortunate to live in a city that now boast...I'm fortunate to live in a city that now boasts three, thriving independent bookstores, although I've only visited one (because in Pittsburgh, that five-mile drive will take an hour - you just can't get there from here).<br /><br />Topping the list is the fabulous Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, PA - right next door to where I live. The owners, Natalie and Trevor, are really delightful people and I hope they own the store for a good long time (they say that's their plan). They kept all the staff when they purchased, so you'll always get a good recommendation. While they specialize in mystery, they'll order anything. They've really amped up their children's/YA section. They've hosted some of the Reds (Hank, Debs definitely - anyone else?) and always have great visitors (I need to stop this week and pick up my copy of Rachel Howzell Hall's latest since I couldn't make the signing on Saturday).<br /><br />Then there's Penguin and City Books. Those two are more general and City used to have an extensive used book collection, specializing in stuff that you just can't find any more.<br /><br />So aside from the cold winters (San Diego sounds nice), I'm pretty happy where I am.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70905599130551476572016-06-20T10:54:01.953-04:002016-06-20T10:54:01.953-04:00I love the Concord Bookshop! I don't know if ...I love the Concord Bookshop! I don't know if they still do it, but back in the day (no, I will not be more specific) they used to allow Concord Academy students to run a tab. There is nothing in this world better than a bookstore that allows a running tab...Jennifer Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14115866986637597240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-27305216138744999832016-06-20T10:26:46.553-04:002016-06-20T10:26:46.553-04:00Those of us in Portland, OR have the amazing Powel...Those of us in Portland, OR have the amazing Powell's books to draw on -- the main store covers a whole city block jam packed with old and new, hardback and paperback, all grouped together. They mystery section alone is bigger than many specialist stores. Author events all the time.PlumGagahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11969263926873169050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30311252669411526402016-06-20T09:54:15.454-04:002016-06-20T09:54:15.454-04:00What a great array of indies! We're lucky in m...What a great array of indies! We're lucky in my neck of the woods (northeastern Massachusetts) to have Jabberwocky Bookstore. Welcoming, well-stocked, and with a parade of well-known authors. I've had several packed launch parties there, and I know at least Hank and Debs have spoken there, too.Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86630803841353909892016-06-20T09:22:13.342-04:002016-06-20T09:22:13.342-04:00I'm choosing Topsail Island, NC and hanging ou...I'm choosing Topsail Island, NC and hanging out at Quarter Moon Books on a daily basis. But, while I'm here in Boone, I'm tickled pink to have Malaprop's in Asheville not too far away.<br />Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39419366342896991612016-06-20T09:15:45.844-04:002016-06-20T09:15:45.844-04:00Susan, put Cincinnati on your list! No mystery-onl...Susan, put Cincinnati on your list! No mystery-only stores, but we are blessed with a couple chain stores, plus some local favorites<br /><br />We have Joseph Beth--two locations, a large one with the wonderful Bronte cafe in the center of a bustling shopping area in town, and a slightly smaller one (with a coffeeshop-level cafe, without wine) in northern Kentucky. But best of all, we have two children's bookstores, one on either side of the river: Blue Manatee, in Cincinnati, with a coffeeshop, and a wonderful author wall. And Blue Marble, in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, where an upstairs room is decorated to the smallest detail like the room in the children's classic, GOOD NIGHT, MOON. <br /><br />And several used bookstores, as well. <br /><br />Which may account for why our house is bursting at the seams with books. And that doesn't even count my e-book collection. I can't imagine retiring elsewhere, to tell you the truth.Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002794561817071780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2646325397752372802016-06-20T08:52:50.564-04:002016-06-20T08:52:50.564-04:00Now I want to do a Great Bookstore Tour! So many t...Now I want to do a Great Bookstore Tour! So many to see....Susan Elia MacNealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00349842866995778987noreply@blogger.com