Peace!
Merry Christmas to all! Thank you for helping the store be such a happy place full of wonderful books. May you all have a wonderful year.
Archive for December, 2010
Parini and Bohjalian – Local Guys. Don’t Forget Alvarez
I have to admit…I haven’t read many Vermont authors or even those who like frequently walk right by the store. I’m asked a lot if I’ve read any of their books, which one’s my fav, etc. So I knew I better get in the swing of things and tackle one of each and go with it. So I did. Or rather have.
Bohjalian – read “Secrets of Eden.” Yea, the newest of his books. And I have to admit…I bought it new. From his website. There was some contest on his Facebook page and next thing I knew I had my credit card out and bought it. Wow, I went against all my principles to get into that contest. Worse thing, I didn’t win. I don’t even remember what I would have won. And it wasn’t even autographed. Pooh! But I liked the book. In fact, I couldn’t put it down. I used it to get Twain out of my head. Not sure it was a good substitution but it worked. Great ending. There is good in the world. At least in Bohjalian’s mind and well, I needed it then. Now some customers say that they find Bohjalian hard to read. Chunky writing, according to one woman. I don’t know what that means but each their own.
Parini – I finished “The Last Station” and then a customer told me that Parini’s first novel was the best. That would be “The Patch Boys.” Hmm, I really liked them both. I escape into the books when I enjoy them and I did with both. I’ve got “Bay of Arrows” staring at me from the VT bookcase which might be my next read. Well, after Melville’s “Moby Dick” and a Paul Bowles which I’m currently reading and then was given Kate Morton’s, “The Distant Hours.” But I see Julia Alvarez’s “Saving the World” and Bohjalin’s “Water Witches” staring at me. And Alvarez actually does come in and shop here so the least I can do is read one of hers. So I will. In fact, I just reached over to Collections and took down, “How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents – first edition.
I’m Back
Not that I’ve been anywhere. Here in the store but I was also busy doing other things. Like directing a play for Middlebury Community Players, SAM AND LAURA. A wonderful play written about Sam Clemens and a lost love (Laura Wright Dake) by local Vermonter, Ron Powers. It was performed last month at Town Hall Theater. Check out www.samandlauraplay.com for further info. Amazing cast and crew came together for this. I was very honored to work with them all.
So that zapped my energy but like I wrote above, I’m back. While trying to figure out what to write I was struck by what I wanted to type and knowing what I actually was going to type. I found that the old CofC philosophy was still within me. You know, be-all-to-all philosophy – All things to all people at all times. Can’t allow your personal opinion and thoughts entered. Heavens if you have an opinion! Okay, so it isn’t really all that but some days it was. Some times when I was typing my blog I would hear Linda in my head saying, “Are you sure you want to say that?” Oh, of course not! I was just venting! 
A used bookstore owner is entitled to an opinion! There! I typed it so it is the truth! I can type whatever I want whenever I want and it can reflect me.
So…now what do I write about now that I’ve got this new found freedom? Ummm…..I’m thinking. Give me a moment. Don’t rush me! Ok…I’ve got it. Owning a used bookstore and having access to all the books in the store – and in the old restroom, under the stairs, in the storage units, and yep, in my parlour – for another week only! – is everything you would think it would be. It is wonderful. It is dusty. It is happy. It is lonely. It is joyful. It is, gosh, it is everything.
Lame comment with my new found freedom of expression but heck, that is how I feel today. I had a wonderful first customer and another wonderful repeat customer in the back room in the paperback mystery section. Both doors are wide open letting in the feels-like-spring-air. I’m going to take a break from sorting/pricing/shelving today and do a little paper crafts so the day will be good.
Cheers!
