Whenever I visit a new town, I always ask, "Is there a good bookstore around here?"
I've been lucky enough to visit quite a few: Tattered Cover (Colorado), Powell's (Oregon), Books Inc. (California), The Raven (Kansas), The Book Loft (Ohio), Garcia Street Books (New Mexico) . . .
Yes, I buy books online, but it's not the same. Online, I stick to my list; in person, I'm apt to wander around the store and look over—and buy—books from many different sections. And it's not just the books. I browse the magazines, wander through the sale sections, admire the often quirky decor, listen to authors talk, and try (not always successfully) to resist piles of baked goods and mugs of hot coffee. I love finding a quiet corner to flip through some books or even do a little writing. It's difficult painful to imagine a world where bookstores did not exist.
Tomorrow is the first annual National Bookstore Day (November 7) sponsored by Publishers Weekly. More than 100 participating bookstores are hosting raffles, author talks, and other events. You can use the Indie Store Finder to find local bookstores near you. See you there!