"B - Browse Your Local Bookstore"

We're only on 'B' in our Alphabet for Authors post series, which incidentally does not stand for "ba-humbug I'm behind on the blog already". It would be a blatant mockery to last week's entry--praising and applauding the power of Affirmations--to beat myself up over the fact that it's Friday and I'm just getting to the blog again. So I won't.

B is for Browse Your Local Bookstore. On Monday morning I went to our island bookstore, Eagle Harbor Books, an independent book store that exudes all evidences of a scene from a chick-flick about an aspiring chick-lit author (which I'm not). In a single word it's quaint. The store has been in existence for almost 50 years and I absolutely love the perfect blend of past, present and future: wooden plank floors that creek, bookshelves that open up to secret compartments where folding chairs are stored, comfy overstuffed chairs to relax in, the place where I attend my Speculative Fiction writing class, and up-to-date access to nearly as many ebooks as Barnes and Noble. It's an establishment that meets the current demands of the book industry by catering to the wide array of formats readers prefer, yet still maintains cheerful personal customer service and a genuine interest in the people who read the books. Just walking through the doors creates some kind of transmutation to my soul. Additionally, Eagle Harbor Books is the proud venue where literally dozens and dozens of local authors are showcased. I dare say Bainbridge Island/Seattle is to authors what Nashville is to country music. A mecca, so to speak.

I browsed the new titles table first, meandered past the travel section and audio books, sauntered around the gift area looking for stocking stuffers, and then found my way to the YA display table. Truthfully, I was somewhat disappointed. For some reason I've obviosly not grasped, werewolves and vampires are still hot. I found plenty of dark magic, young love and true scifi stories. A couple titles on angels and one about a pegasus. True, I was just browsing, not really reading. But that's because nothing REALLY grabbed my attention. I read a dozen or so jacket covers, tried a few first pages, and flipped through two or three books to do a quick study on dialogue. Suddenly, I wasn't feeling my typical almost out-of-body euphoria when I'm in this bookstore. Or any bookstore.

After over an hour of browsing, I walked outside into the wind and zipped up my jacket, wondering what I'd write in my post "B is for Browse Your Local Bookstore" that would be semi-inspirational or atleast helpful. I'm not sure I've done that yet but here's a thought. If nothing jumps out at you next time your'e in a bookstore, try your own personal library. Presently I'm reading six books simultaneously but the one on my night stand that I haven't opened yet is "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. (Yes, I do realize it's NOT a new release!) The sequels are on display at Eagle Harbor Books which DID re-inspire me to start the series.

One other quick thought, if you do have a local independent bookstore then BRAVO! Considering today's publishing and emarketing industry, as readers and authors we need to do all we can to support their efforts and keep them in the BOOK BUSINESS.