As a wise teacher, ancient King Solomon once admonished young people, “Of making books there is no end, and much study is a weariness to the flesh.”
I often think of that statement when I walk into one of the ubiquitous bookstores that house thousands of books. When I was given an opportunity to sell my personal book at one of the big Seattle stores, I was thrilled with the prospect until I stopped in the store one day — excited to see my title on the shelf.
In search of the spine of my book, I wandered past endless rows of bookstacks, carefully reading each category represented. Finally, winding my way upstairs to more of the same, I found the memoir/biography section. Scanning the titles in alphabetical order by author, I spotted the “Js.” There I was next to Grace Jones’ memoir — on the very bottom shelf.
The Twisp Library Friends hosted another successful book sale at the Methow Valley Community Center.
For a customer randomly looking for a book to read, the chances that they would make their way to that out-of-the-way section and then lay on the floor to tilt their head to read the titles on the bottom shelf (and find mine) were next to nil — in my opinion. I did realize the importance of the title on the spine being big, bold, and black to stand out in the crowded lineup. (Note to self for any future writings.)
The big box bookstores were once the latest and greatest thing. I remember the arrival of Barnes & Noble in my mid-size hometown at the time. It felt inviting to go to a bookstore with an inhouse coffee shop and many cozy seating spots. And, all those books just begging, “Pick me. Pick me.”
After the newness of “big” wore off, I retreated to the more comfortable (for me) small independent booksellers. Maybe Meg Ryan in “You’ve Got Mail” had something to do with my return. In the movie, she was the owner of an indie bookstore that was threatened by the major bookstore chain that was opening just a few blocks away. Who could not root for charming Kathleen Kelly who used the handle “Shopgirl” for her AOL mail account?
The Methow is a mecca for readers. Book clubs flourish. Our small indie bookstore is open every day of the week — a challenge for any business in the valley. Little Free Libraries are stocked in at least three locations. The Senior Center Thrift Store frequently must put a hold on book donations due to overflow and lack of room. Still, no one wants to send a good book to the landfill.
Fortunately, the Twisp Library Friends regularly sponsor a book sale at the Methow Valley Community Center gym. The sale this year opened on Friday (Sept. 4) with a lineup of shoppers ready to find some good reads.
All the major categories and genres were represented with a full supply on each table. Readers flocked to the table of choice and poured over the titles — much easier to read than with the head tilt at a conventional bookstore. Books were sold by donation with proceeds going to the Community Center and the Twisp Library.
Dolly Parton was a leader in inspiring children to read. She created the Imagination Library — which provided children from birth to age five with a book a month for free — as a tribute to her Daddy.
“He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams,” Dolly said.
“Every book is a treasure, and every time you open one up you will meet new friends and take wonderful journeys to magical places.” — Dolly Parton.
