What does your bookstore mean to you?

Jul 06

By Ann Kingman Uncategorized Add comments

photo borrowed without permission from history.vineyard.net

Holiday weekend tragedy

Residents and visitors of Martha’s Vineyard are devastated at the terrible fire that has damaged the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore.

Because the store does most its business in these short summer months, the fire has happened at the most devastating time of year. I know this bookstore well, as I have worked with them for most of my career. My heart goes out to the owners and staff of this wonderful store. I hope that they will soon be open for business, and I am trying to figure out a way to help.

An important role in the community

When things like this happen, the outcry is great. People realize the importance that businesses like Bunch of Grapes bring to a community. For “the Grapes,” as they are fondly called by many, it is more than just providing reading material to islanders and visitors. Many who have vacationed on Martha’s Vineyard think of Bunch of Grapes as a crucial part of their visit — it wouldn’t be summer on Martha’s Vineyard without a trip to the store to stock up on books for the beach and for the occasional rainy afternoon. Authors have found in the store an enthusiastic and supportive staff, and the store has played an important role in hosting author events and increasing the entertainment options on the island. Locals take comfort in knowing that the store is open year-round — something that may seem like a small thing to off-islanders, but for people who live on the small island in the harshest days of winter, the warmth and community that the bookstore provides makes life during those days a lot more bearable.

Tell us what your bookstore brings to your community

In honor of Bunch of Grapes, I would ask you to think about your local bookstore, and the role that it plays in your life and in your community. We shouldn’t need to wait for tragedy to celebrate those businesses that are near and dear to us. If you’d like to share your thoughts, about Bunch of Grapes or your own local bookstore, I’d love to hear them — just leave a comment at the end of this post.

http://tinkutales.blogspot.com tinkugallery

You are so right, Ann. I am lucky to have a few great independent bookstores just down the street from my gallery and was just there over the weekend picking up some books for my goddaughter. What I like about the independents is that they carry a well-edited selection of books rather than absolutely everything. Sometimes less is more!
http://tinkutales.blogspot.com tinkugallery

You are so right, Ann. I am lucky to have a few great independent bookstores just down the street from my gallery and was just there over the weekend picking up some books for my goddaughter. What I like about the independents is that they carry a well-edited selection of books rather than absolutely everything. Sometimes less is more!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Tinkugallery — thanks for posting. You’re in Canada, right? Feel free to post the names of your favorite stores — let’s give them some love right here.

Ann
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Tinkugallery — thanks for posting. You’re in Canada, right? Feel free to post the names of your favorite stores — let’s give them some love right here.

Ann
http://www.carolynjewel.com Carolyn Jewel

My local bookstore is Copperfield’s, in Petaluma, California. I’ve been taking my son there for ages, we go probably 2-4 times a month. Because we’re so close to San Francisco, Copperfield’s is able to bring in some very big name authors for signings and presentations, and my son (now 13) and I have both attended events there.
http://www.carolynjewel.com Carolyn Jewel

My local bookstore is Copperfield’s, in Petaluma, California. I’ve been taking my son there for ages, we go probably 2-4 times a month. Because we’re so close to San Francisco, Copperfield’s is able to bring in some very big name authors for signings and presentations, and my son (now 13) and I have both attended events there.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

Thanks for writing this up Ann. It’s so devastating to see this happen to any local business, bookstores even more so. The Grapes is such an important part of their community, I hope they’re back on their feet soon.

I’ve actually lived through this exact same situation. I was working at Waterstone’s in Boston’s Back Bay, when the store was damaged by fire, smoke and water due to a fire that started at the restaurant next door. I know what these employees are going through and I wish them a speedy re-opening!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Michael

Thanks for writing this up Ann. It’s so devastating to see this happen to any local business, bookstores even more so. The Grapes is such an important part of their community, I hope they’re back on their feet soon.

I’ve actually lived through this exact same situation. I was working at Waterstone’s in Boston’s Back Bay, when the store was damaged by fire, smoke and water due to a fire that started at the restaurant next door. I know what these employees are going through and I wish them a speedy re-opening!
http://thespottedduck.com Shelley Greenberg

As a lover of all things books and bookstores, I, too, am mourning the loss of Bunch of Grapes. That may sound a tad melodramatic, but think about how YOU would feel if YOUR local bookstore closed down.

For me that would be Brookline Booksmith. It goes without saying that I love this bookstore. Everytime I pass by, I have trouble not going in. My boyfriend has stopped trying to stop me. Now I have time limits.

Why I love Booksmith: They always have great deals on new books, an entire floor of used books, and good recommendations. Plus it’s just fun to go there. They have all sorts of knick knacks to play with, it’s a fabulous place to for gifts. Not to mention that they get GREAT authors to come by and though I haven’t tried it yet, their open book club is pretty popular.

So, my heart goes out to the book lovers on Martha’s Vineyard. To everyone else: support your local independent bookstore!
http://thespottedduck.com Shelley Greenberg

As a lover of all things books and bookstores, I, too, am mourning the loss of Bunch of Grapes. That may sound a tad melodramatic, but think about how YOU would feel if YOUR local bookstore closed down.

For me that would be Brookline Booksmith. It goes without saying that I love this bookstore. Everytime I pass by, I have trouble not going in. My boyfriend has stopped trying to stop me. Now I have time limits.

Why I love Booksmith: They always have great deals on new books, an entire floor of used books, and good recommendations. Plus it’s just fun to go there. They have all sorts of knick knacks to play with, it’s a fabulous place to for gifts. Not to mention that they get GREAT authors to come by and though I haven’t tried it yet, their open book club is pretty popular.

So, my heart goes out to the book lovers on Martha’s Vineyard. To everyone else: support your local independent bookstore!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Carolyn: Copperfields is legendary in the bookselling world and though I’ve never been there, I know that I would love it as much as you. Thanks.

Shelley: I know Brookline Booksmith quite well (though they are not my customer) and they are my idea of the perfect neighborhood bookstore. I always walk out of there with several books, most of which I had never heard of until they were recommended by a staff person. To me that’s the epitome of a great bookstore. You are very lucky to have them close to you!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Carolyn: Copperfields is legendary in the bookselling world and though I’ve never been there, I know that I would love it as much as you. Thanks.

Shelley: I know Brookline Booksmith quite well (though they are not my customer) and they are my idea of the perfect neighborhood bookstore. I always walk out of there with several books, most of which I had never heard of until they were recommended by a staff person. To me that’s the epitome of a great bookstore. You are very lucky to have them close to you!
http://iknowwhatyouarereading.blogspot.com/ Marinka

My favorite bookstore in NYC is Three Lives & Company. In the early 1990s I used to stop by there nearly once a week and always received excellent recommendations and even heard Toni Morrison read there.
http://iknowwhatyouarereading.blogspot.com/ Marinka

My favorite bookstore in NYC is Three Lives & Company. In the early 1990s I used to stop by there nearly once a week and always received excellent recommendations and even heard Toni Morrison read there.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

I love Three Lives! Not sure who the owner was when you went there, but I used to work with the current owner and he’s a fantastic guy. (Hi, Toby!)

Thanks for the post, Marinka!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

I love Three Lives! Not sure who the owner was when you went there, but I used to work with the current owner and he’s a fantastic guy. (Hi, Toby!)

Thanks for the post, Marinka!
http://www.btt2.wordpress.com –Deb

I just stumbled across this post, and was struck by how similar the question in the last paragraph was to my “Booking Through Thursday” question this week. I still can’t believe the Bunch of Grapes is gone…

http://btt2.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/doomsday/
http://www.btt2.wordpress.com –Deb

I just stumbled across this post, and was struck by how similar the question in the last paragraph was to my “Booking Through Thursday” question this week. I still can’t believe the Bunch of Grapes is gone…

http://btt2.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/doomsday/
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Hi Deb,

Wow! I can’t wait to go read all of the answers that people posted. Thanks for giving me the link to the post.

We are hopeful, of course, that Bunch of Grapes will reopen soon. But as you know, in a community where it’s not so easy to hop in a car and go to another store (even though there is another great bookstore on the island), these local businesses are more important than ever.

Thanks for stopping by!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Hi Deb,

Wow! I can’t wait to go read all of the answers that people posted. Thanks for giving me the link to the post.

We are hopeful, of course, that Bunch of Grapes will reopen soon. But as you know, in a community where it’s not so easy to hop in a car and go to another store (even though there is another great bookstore on the island), these local businesses are more important than ever.

Thanks for stopping by!
Dottie R.

My closest bookstore is The Bookman which is largely used books — suits me in that regard. I love browsing — I also love going in and simply asking do you have…? and finding all sorts of great buys.

In my “other home” area (Lakeway, TX)there’s a great little independent A Thirsty Mind — which combines books and a coffee and wine bar. Hence thirsty.

The inventory is small and they purposely will stock one of a kind and when it sells they order a second copy and set it on a shelf — certain books are attractive to one particular person — or two or three at most perhaps? It’s just a neat little place.
Dottie R.

My closest bookstore is The Bookman which is largely used books — suits me in that regard. I love browsing — I also love going in and simply asking do you have…? and finding all sorts of great buys.

In my “other home” area (Lakeway, TX)there’s a great little independent A Thirsty Mind — which combines books and a coffee and wine bar. Hence thirsty.

The inventory is small and they purposely will stock one of a kind and when it sells they order a second copy and set it on a shelf — certain books are attractive to one particular person — or two or three at most perhaps? It’s just a neat little place.
Dottie R.

Oh yes — The Bookman is in Orange, CA.
Dottie R.

Oh yes — The Bookman is in Orange, CA.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Thanks, Dottie. Personally, I think books + coffee + wine = paradise. Sounds like you have a couple of winners!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

Thanks, Dottie. Personally, I think books + coffee + wine = paradise. Sounds like you have a couple of winners!
http://childrensbooks.about.com Elizabeth Kennedy

I have two favorite bookstores. My favorite local bookstore is Watermark Books & Cafe in Wichita, KS. Their children’s section is a special delight. The booksellers do an exceptional job in finding wonderful children’s books from a very wide variety of publishers.

The store sponsor numerous book clubs, author visits, and book signings, as well as a monthly Literary Feast, which includes dinner and a book discussion.

My other favorite is Powell’s in Portland, OR, the largest bookstore I have ever been in. Every time I visit my son and daughter-in-law in Portland, we plan a morning at Powells. I always discover books and authors that are new to me, as well as many old favorites.

Liz Kennedy
Your Guide to Children’s Books
http://childrensbooks.about.com

http://www.about.com
About.com is part of the New York Times Company
http://childrensbooks.about.com Elizabeth Kennedy

I have two favorite bookstores. My favorite local bookstore is Watermark Books & Cafe in Wichita, KS. Their children’s section is a special delight. The booksellers do an exceptional job in finding wonderful children’s books from a very wide variety of publishers.

The store sponsor numerous book clubs, author visits, and book signings, as well as a monthly Literary Feast, which includes dinner and a book discussion.

My other favorite is Powell’s in Portland, OR, the largest bookstore I have ever been in. Every time I visit my son and daughter-in-law in Portland, we plan a morning at Powells. I always discover books and authors that are new to me, as well as many old favorites.

Liz Kennedy
Your Guide to Children’s Books
http://childrensbooks.about.com

http://www.about.com
About.com is part of the New York Times Company