However, they're still open, so if you're in the St. Louis area and want to check them out in their soon-to-be-"old" location, call ahead (if you're looking for a particular book) and head their way.
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| Three floors of books...It's a cool place, and no, the owners are not whackadoo--they don't have the place all decked out for the holidays all year long. This is a photo from last December's Chicken Soup for the Soul's book signing. At this book signing, a rare sighting of the elusive "Val" occurred. |
And it's a building that's brimming over with character (the building is being torn down--it was built in 1863), so it's going to be a loss to the Rock Hill community...but not to the independent book store community because the Book House is moving to a place that is going to be bigger and better.
One of my favorite independent book stores I visited earlier this summer is Half Price Books in Kansas City. It's a huge expanse of used books and is meticulously organized. My son
What is your favorite book store (and why) or what is a book you've read this summer that you are recommending? (I've read Joe Hill's NOS4A2, which is brilliant, if you like scary/creepy stories. I'm also still singing the praises for Leonard Pitts Jr.'s epic novel Freeman, and earlier this summer I read Hosseini's And the Mountains Echoed. All three I would give 5 out of 5 stars.)
Why is the building being razed? Surely it must have historical value. I hate to see such character wiped out, and "if those walls could talk" and all that. :( Very sad. Glad that the bookstore is "moving up," though, so to speak. Bigger digs! That's awesome in this age where so many bookstores are closing their doors forever. My favorite bookstore is a grubby little used-book store. Lots of goodies in there!
ReplyDeleteLisa--You know, that ugly "p" word...progress.
DeleteThe grubby places are those little-known secrets that contain treasures. Don't tell too many people the name of it, or it will get picked over.
I love bookstores, but alas, we're left with only the chains able to survive in this suburb of Atlanta. BUT if I go into Decatur, I like to run into Little Shop of Stories--a great little indie bookstore, very kid-friendly. They won a contest at Halloween one year and Neil Gaiman came to town! (SO very Brit witty--loved him)And speaking of which, I just read his THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE and really liked it.
ReplyDelete(And P.S. I'm a little frightened, thinking of what you'll come up with for that Dating Chicken Soup--:-)
Cathy--Little Shop of Stories? Is there a huge, dentist-eating plant in the corner? How funny.
DeleteActually, I already submitted my story to CS (probably another rejection) and I only submit sweet ones to CS. (Sioux sweet, you say? I'm a Gemini, so my other personality writes those tales.)
However, I told the "other" part of the story to NYMB...We'll see if they accept THAT story, which involves a life-sized, blow-up dummy...
Love independent books stores! One favorite is Watermark in Wichita...so relaxed and comfy and has small eatery too with sandwiches named The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet, etc.!
ReplyDeleteBookie--What a unique name, and so smart for them to offer food as well...browse for a long time, eat, and then browse some more.
DeleteI'm definitely heading over there before the shut the doors. I just loved that place.
ReplyDeletebefore THEY shut the doors. Dur
ReplyDeleteThey would certainly appreciate any sales now, because that means they won't have to load THOSE books onto a truck and move them.
DeleteI agree. It's a cool place, but I have the feeling the new place--although not with the marvelous exterior--will be a welcoming spot for booklovers...
What a cute place! Too bad it's being torn down.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I don't really have a favorite book store anymore.
Mama Zen--I guess not, because you're too busy writing and doing other things. ;)
DeleteYou've posted about this store before, and it looks like a place i would just HAVE to spend an hour or four.
ReplyDeleteAs you know, my super book of the summer is "The Myth Of You & Me" by Leah Stewart. it makes my all-time faves list, along with Robert Girardi's "Madeleine's Ghost", Julie Ann Peters's "Keeping You A Secret", Sylvia Brownrigg's "Pages For You", Jonathan Hull's "Losing Julia", Paulette Jiles's "Enemy Women", and Jane Candia Coleman's "Doc Holliday's Woman".