Today and every day books--new releases, remainders, collectibles, rare finds,, used (pre-read?), sheet music, bookish merch, etc.--need readers to buy them from independent bookstores that keep them in stock and special ordered, just waiting to be discovered and claimed by curious humans of all ages, orientations, ethnicities, nationalities, abilities, shapes, sizes, heights, shades, genders, and personality types who are eager to explore the universes of adventure, entertainment, and information a stellar variety of authors and creatives contribute to the readersphere. Independent bookstores anchor their neighborhoods and serve their neighbors. They're sources of dynamic exchanges of investments in mutual benefits of enrichment—cultural, economic, emotional, and intellectual—engagement, connection, and joy.
As a person who was born in Washington, D.C., raised mostly in Maryland, and attended college in Virginia, my regional bias leans toward the U.S. mid-Atlantic, and my list of some noteworthy independent bookstores reflects that focus, which is one reason why the link to an earlier nationwide list from Mental Floss is included.
“Independent Bookstores”
An ode by Cardyn Brooks as inspired by “Independent Women, Pt.1" by Destiny's Child
[1]
Loyalty
With Daedalus
Busboys and Poets in the DMV*
All Indie Bookstores, come on
Sell, sell, sell
[2]
Question, tell me what you think about books
D.C.’s Mahogany and Politics and Prose
Browsing your websites on my celly for awhile
So many titles and I want them all
Question, tell me how you feel about staff
Try to suggest little-known reading gems
Make book bundles, oh, and they plan fun events
Always willing to help their customers
[3]
The books on my shelves, I bought them
The books I'm reading, I bought them
The rock I once rocked, I pawned it
‘Cause I needed to buy more books with it
The merch I'm wearing it, I bought it
The place I live in, I stacked it
The car I'm driving, I used it
To get me to the indie bookstores
[4]
All the bookstores, that are independent
Throw your hands up at me
All the authors, who making money
Throw your hands up at them
All the writers, who profit dollars
Throw your hands up at them
All the readers, who truly feel this
Throw your hashtags at me
[5]
Stores, I like knowing you sell books like that
Indies, how your bookstores get down like that
Stores, I like knowing you sell books like that
Indies, how your bookstores get down like that
[6]
Tell me how you feel about this
Buy books I want, read what I wanna read
I researched hard and reviewed every title I could get
People, it ain't easy being independent
Question, how'd you like this homage that I brought
Braggin' on those stacks that you bought yourself is okay
If you're gonna buy books please get them from indie bookstores
Support indies, #OwnVoices #StopAAPIHate
(#BLM #Romancelandia #LGBTQUIA #diverselit #1000blackgirlbooks)
Repeat [3].
Repeat [4].
Repeat [5].
[7]
Voracious readers, wassup?
Books fill your shelves? Sure ‘nough
We'll sort these genres out, indie style
Books of interest (Whoa)
Independent bookstores (Whoa-oh)
Booksellers take care of readers (Oh-oh)
Indie bookstores (Oh-whoa-oh)
Repeat [4].
Repeat [5].
*District (of Columbia), Maryland, Virginia (not the Department of Motor Vehicles!)
Some Noteworthy Indie Bookstores
Ampersand Books (Rochester, NY)
Atomic Books
Attic Books
Back Creek Books
Bonjour Books
Books With a Past
The Bookstore Next Door
Bridge Street Books
Capitol Hill Books
The Children's Bookstore in Lauraville
Cricket Book Shop
Curious Iguana
The Drama Book Shop (reopening soon in NYC, NY)
East City Bookshop
Greedy Reads
The Greyhound
Harambee Books & Artworks
Harriett's Bookshop (Philadelphia, PA)
Hooray for Books!
Ivy Bookshop
Kelmscott Bookshop
Kensington Row Bookshop
A Likely Story Bookstore
Lost City Books
My Dead Aunt's Books
Novel Books
Old Town Books
One More Page Books
Powells (Chicago, IL)
Reston's Used Book Shop
The Ripped Bodice (Culver City, CA)
S Clarkson Books
Scrawl Books
Second Story Books
Second Edition Books
Sisters Uptown (NYC, NY)
Solid State Books
The Strand Book Shop (NYC, NY)
Tempo Bookstore
This Is the Place Bookstore
Ukazoo Books
Wonder Book
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/577201/best-bookstores-all-50-states
Upcoming book release for bookish folk:
Mental Floss: The Curious Reader, Erin McCarthy, ed.
May 25, 2021
Comments
Post a Comment