Thoughts...

At the end of last August, as I turned 49, I decided to visit 50 independent bookstores in my 50^th year. I surpassed my goal with a couple of weeks to spare and can say without question, a whole new world has opened up to me.

Over the course of the year I shopped in the very first bookstore I went to as a kid – Anderson’s in Larchmont, NY, visited the western most bookstore in the United States (Talk Story on the island of Kauai) and the oldest bookstore (Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, PA). I stopped by Let’s Play Books in Emmaus, PA and Jack and Allie’s in Vernon, CT both just recently opened children’s bookstores (and in my mind, the very definition of hope). Though I did the bulk of the visits on my own it was always a treat to go with others. I’ve been shopping with Suann, my sister Clare and her son (my nephew), Dillon and my niece Megan.

I thought the project would have a beginning and an end but I was wrong. I plan on continuing. I have a list of stores within driving distance I can’t wait to visit and I’ve already mapped out a cross-country trip based on locations of independent bookstores. And, I haven’t scratched the surface in NYC.

Have I read all the books I purchased? Not yet but I have certainly added books to my collection I might not have read had Amazon continued to be my primary source. Do I still use Amazon to buy books? I do – especially if I haven’t planned well enough in advance and suddenly need to gift a book in a couple of days. As I mentioned in my original post – Amazon makes buying books easy but it’s not nearly as fun as wandering through a bookstore, especially one that is lovingly cared for.

When I look back on the year I am struck by a handful of thoughts:

• No matter the age, those who own and/or work in independent bookstores love what they do. Did I meet a few cranky folks? I did, but they were the exception not the rule.
• The Northeast is a beautiful place to drive around - especially with the top down on the Mini Cooper.
• Bookstores are a great place to...eavesdrop.
• The Google Map app is darn near perfect.
• Next to freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, new books might be my favorite smell.

I love working in an elementary school as a library media specialist/teacher librarian but my dream of owning an bookstore is much more vivid than it was a year ago. And really, there’s nothing better than having a dream.