Yes, I know it's been a while. Much has happened and not much time to write about it lately.
But that's for another post...
I miss independently owned book stores. Badly.
There used to be one on the north side of Chicago on Broadway just north of Devon. It's been soo long since it existed that I cannot even recall it's name anymore. Even though the name has faded from my memory, I cannot get the smell of the store or the visuals out of my head. They have forever been burned into my brain and I am forever grateful.
It was a bookstore like no other. You would swear you walked into an Escher painting or maybe into Jareth's personal library. The place was far from safe to be in, especially if you were to venture into any of the upper levels, but that is what made it half the fun in exploring the place. It smelled of old books and unfinished wood. I swear I bought my first copy of The Hobbit there, as well as countless other used books.
Purchasing used books. Now there is something that nearly no one speaks about doing anymore. Down here where I live now in Florida, the only ways I am able to buy used books is either from garage sales, thrift stores, or the library... if I am lucky.
Even though I am incredibly fond of used books, I also own a 2nd generation Kindle. It was given to me by my husband when he found a technology that he felt was better for his needs. I have no intention of getting rid of it for an upgraded version just yet. It has plenty of years left in it for me to put it to use. Lately I have used it to carry literature when I am out and about with my daughter so while she is playing endlessly at a playground, I am comfortably sitting at a shady bench reading. At least it fits nicely in my purse without taking up too much space. However, I won't take that thing to the beach or even into a bubble bath. Paper books still have their place if you ask me, and at least the paper kind won't electrocute me when near water. ;)
Thanks to technology, the economy and big businesses, used book stores are the thing of the past. It saddens me that my daughter will never know what it feels to explore a place like the one I did. The closest to that feeling will be the local libraries, or the local big chain book stores. Heck, finding a cafe anymore is becoming a challenge that isn't either attached to a fast food chain or doesn't have a logo that is colored green and white.
Since finding a permanent spot to settle into here in Florida, I have been on a search for a used book store or at least a comfortable cafe of some kind. Alas, the only cafe I had found that made me think of all the lovely places up North I used to call my "homes away from home" had to close down recently, and this is after I had only visited the place twice.
If it was a lucrative business, I'd consider the idea of opening my own damn used book store and cafe with the super comfy thrift store couches and second hand furniture with local craft makers selling their wares throughout my establishment. Unfortunately for me at the location we decided to settle down our family at, I live in between the posh and the redneck. They call it rural. Because of this culture clash, the posh wouldn't walk into an establishment like the one I would create because it wasn't sterile and glitzy enough, and the side of that coin wouldn't walk in because they'd find it far too fancy.
For a woman who lived in Chicago nearly her whole life, then moved to the 'burbs for five years, then to move down here, it is a culture shock that took three whole years to get familiar with. It certainly is something.
The search goes on. ...and on. ...and on. I just hope when and if I find someplace, I won't have to travel an hour to get there.
