Independent Reading

I was in Burlington over the weekend, visiting family, and while I was there I got another idea for a new BookLust category.

It's one thing to gripe and moan about the big box book superstores, and how they have severely damaged the publishing industry, and most especially the independent bookstores, but it's another thing to perhaps take a more positive approach to the situation. So I thought, why not do my little bit, and highlight the many wonderful independent bookstores which are still thriving, in spite of the tough competition with the big book superstores. Hence the subject heading, Independent Reading. Now I'm not a great world traveller, so for the most part the stores mentioned will more than likely only be in the Toronto area, but any time I do encounter a wonderful independent bookstore, wherever it may be, I will certainly mention it on my blog.

I would be remiss if my first selection was not the amazing and delightful Different Drummer Books, located in downtown Burlington, Ontario, 513 Locust Street. I have great affection for this store, not just because they have an amazing selection of books, or that the staff is very friendly and knowledgable, but also because I spent a lot of time in this store as a teenager, growing up in Burlington. I guess you could say I was a bit spoiled growing up, because I did not discover until I left Burlington, that that bookstore is a very rare treat indeed.

How can you not be delighted upon entering a beautiful big old Victorian house that is warm and cosey on the inside, and chock-full of books? And if that wasn't enough, there is always an eclectic selection of engaging music playing as you wander through the nooks and crannies of the store, and if you feel so inclined, you can even give the bookstore cat a gentle pat (but be careful, the friendly little creature is getting old!)

All of this bookstore delight is made possible through the genius of the proprietor, Mr. Richard Bachmann, a warm, witty and very knowledgable gentleman indeed. He is a man who cares about books, literature, publishing and of course independent bookstores. And most especially, he cares about his customers.

So if you ever find yourself in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, please make an effort to pop in this amazing bookstore. It will be a biblioadventure you won't soon forget, I'm sure.

Comments

[Anne]

Great idea! I would like to recommend, for those visiting Providence, RI, a wonderful independent bookstore: Books on the Square, 471 Angell St. (across from a Starbucks; nice symbiosis), 401 331-9097, www.booksq.com . It's very community oriented and serves a college-town crowd with diverse stock and a number of lively forums and book clubs.

In Worcester, Mass., I can similarly recommend Tatnuck Booksellers -- www.tatnuck.com

And to think that at one time I dreamed of owning a bookstore... just around the time that Amazon.com went stratospheric! Oy. ;-)

[Jeremiah]

Similarly, in Albany, the Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza is staffed by some of the nicest folk you'll meet in the Capital Region. They've also apparently opened a bigger store in Troy, but I've yet to go. I don't think I've ever been lead astray by the recommendations there.
In New York City, I love Coliseum and the Mysterious Bookstore.
There's nothing like a good, big independent store.

[patricia]

Oh yes, I still dream of owning a bookstore.... sigh... must keep buying lottery tickets...

Thanks for your contributions to Independent Reading! If anyone has anything else to add, please do! God bless independent bookstores!

[Scully]

I'm guilty of shopping in the big box stores, but I do my best to shop at the independents and try not to rely on the big stores. It's hard though at times, because it's like in You've Got Mail, The Little Shop Around the Corner has often been closed down by the Big Congolomerate on the Next Block.

[patricia]

Oh, I completely agree, Scully. I still shop at the big box stores, but I try to limit it, if at all possible. I'm fortunate to have a couple of great independents quite close to me; and I usually visit Burlington once a month for my Different Drummer fix. (And of course to visit Mom, too!)

[Rebecca]

A Different Drummer was one of my favourite bookstores when I lived in Niagara. I would always stop there on my way to visit my sister in Guelph - naturally, once I was in Guelph, I'd also hit The Bookshelf - another amazing indie bookstore! Now that I live in Northern Ontario, I don't get there as often as I used to, alas.

(Get on the mailing list for ADD's newsletter - they always have fun and fascinating events going on.)

[patricia]

Yes, Rebecca, ADD has some great events with an astounding selection of authors, usually at some nice location in Burlington. I usually hear about it from my mother, but I think I will take your suggestion and get on the mailing list.

You know what? I've never been to The Bookshelf. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about that place, and so I will make it my mission to get there this year!

[adrienne]

I got to give a shout out to Steve's Sundries and Books in Tulsa, OK. I think it's pretty much the only independent left here. :(

[Mary]

My two cents...When I am in Port Hope, I go to Furby's Books on Main Street. The owner, Joe, has already selected all the books I would want to read so I just have to decide which ones to buy. Cuts through all the clutter of a big box store. I've heard Farley Mowat goes in when he has nothing to do.

[iliana]

Great category! This sounds like a wonderful bookstore. I love shopping at indie bookstores but unfortunately where I live there are none. That's the one thing I like to do when traveling - go visit the indies.

[anne]

My favorite independent bookstore is Munro's Books of Victoria,(thought I'd provide a West Coast perspective).
Not only is it a fabulous bookstore, the building it's located in is also beautiful. Check it out at www.munrobooks.com/about.cfm

[Nikki]

I highly doubt anybody will be near Shepparton, Victoria, Australia any time soon, but there's a little church bookstore, a fundraiser, that sells EVERYTHING for a dollar.

Once, when I was there looking up classic lit, one of the little old ladies who runs the place asked me if I wanted to go "in the back" to check out the boxes of lit they had stacked in there. I was gonna say no. I didn't, and I was taken to...the holy land.

A small room, piled carpet to ceiling with BOOKS. The classics were in alphabetised boxes, everything from the Rabbit series to Wilder to Hamlet to freakin' everything.

I have spent about a hundred bucks since I discovered it. The downside is, it's spoiled me at all other secondhand stores -- as in, "They want me to pay $3.50 for this!!??" You know?

Anyway, great topic.

[Monique]

I'm a little late reading this post, but I think you have a wonderful idea. I too am a strong supporter of the independent bookstore. My fav is McNally Robinson in Winnipeg.

[Annie]

Title Wave in Anchorage Alaska is one of the greatest independent bookstores ever. They carry new and used and have an independent coffee shop (the roasts its coffee in state) in store. It is the closest thing to heaven here.

[David]

To chime in on favorites, I worked at a great bookstore/cafe in Portland, Maine, called Casco Bay Books. We were known for our strong contemporary fiction, art, kids, and critical theory selections, as well as for hosting rock shows and dance performances, providing a kick-ass bathroom, having the most attractive employees in town, and displaying panties in the front windows. These days I hear they're adding a clothing component called Milo, which sounds promising.

Love this thread, and can't wait for more!

Best,
David.