After two days of airport hell only to return and stay out waaaay past my bed time to check out a rock and roll show with the cool kids, I don’t have much left in the mental tank. (Big high fives to Frank and Nicole for beating the odds and somehow securing FREE entry to last night’s sold out show. A good time was had by all.) Anyway, while I regroup, here’s your summer to do list:
- Help your favorite small publishers: Yesterday I pointed out that McSweeney’s really needs your help. They’re not the only ones. Soft Skull Press was also unfairly screwed over when the distributor for ALL of the independent houses declared bankruptcy and are also having a huge sale to move books quickly. Soft Skull is the publisher of Jamestown by Matthew Sharpe (reviewed here), African Psycho by (review coming soon!). The Codalmo blog has the full story and recommendations if you don’t know where to start (via EdRants).
- Visit your independent book store: Smiling faces are ready to point out all of the great books that you never knew that you needed. Here in Atlanta, we get a new indie book seller tomorrow. Wordsmiths opens their doors to a weekend full of fun events. A Capella Books, savvy veterans of the scene, is always ready to welcome you. Outwrite, Charis, Bound to be Read, Little Shop of Stories - visit them all. You know who needs your help in your town. Get out there and make a day of it.
- Visit your endangered literary landmarks: Here in Atlanta, The Wren’s Nest would love to see you and The Margaret Mitchell House wouldn’t mind if you said hello once in while either. You can even go visit Margaret at the Oakland Cemetery. Your town has similar places. Get out there.
- Help your public libraries: No matter where your live, your library needs your support. That’s just the way it is. Give ‘em a hug.
Update: The McSweeney’s sell of is going well, apparently. I’ve tried to buy five different books, and they were each sold out. Also, there appears to be a lot of love in the air for Atlanta indies. In today’s Criminal Records newsletter, Lillian says:
Although my fave book store is Little Shop Of Stories (a block away from Wordsmith’s) and A Cappella Books (just a few doors down from Criminal) holds a special place in my heart, I am really psyched about Wordsmith’s Books. Russ is a good friend, and Lucy is a girl after my own heart (she baked cookies for an author event that we had over at Aurora Coffee earlier this year). Not that that has anything to do with anything, but it’s always nice to know that the people behind the counter/desk are good people, right? I don’t know the rest of the crew that well yet, but I know that Wordsmith’s will be a welcome addition to the metro-Atlanta indie scene. Having more indie businesses all over town will only make our communities better, so whether you’re buying the latest Queens Of The Stone Age CD or the complete novels of Jane Austen or shoes or ice cream or whatever, please make an effort to support your locally-owned, independent businesses whenever possible. It’s not just about CDs or Criminal Records, you know.
Add going to Criminal Records to your list of things to do.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:41 am
Did you see The National last night? I was p*ssed when I found out the show was sold out.
June 14th, 2007 at 9:56 am
What if my library has intimacy issues?
June 14th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Beth: I saw The National last night. The rawk did not stop.
Frank: This is an opportunity for you and your library to move beyond these silly games that you play and arrive some place deeper. Take the first step.
June 14th, 2007 at 10:37 am
I think I hate you a little bit right now. I saw Great Lake Swimmers on Tuesday; they were good.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Don’t hate me too much. I saw the Atlanta airport on Tuesday night.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
DJ,
Love your ethic. Support local is a major by-word in my neighboring town (and heart’s home), Cambridge, MA. Anyone in the Boston area would do well to go by Porter Square Books — shockingly nice and well-informed folks, great stock, good readings, great coffee.
I so agree about libraries. One simple rule: Use it or lose it. A valuable public resource. I’m very lucky to have a gorgeous one just a 10-minute walk from me, and I never mind stay-home vacations, b/c I spend the whole week there. (The reading room is to die for.)
Now, re: Library intimacy: My betrothed is a librarian at a public library, and I hug her all the time. She doesn’t seem to have a problem with it.
June 14th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Think: Do you know The Inkwell book store in Falmouth? They had the good taste to link to us a few days ago and are, therefore, clearly deserving of discerning patrons such as yourself. Is Falmouth even anywhere near you? It’d be a bit of a haul for you, but…
June 14th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Re. Visit your endangered literary landmarks:
No matter where you live, there’s at least a 30% chance that your burgh claims itself as O. Henry’s hometown. (I’ve lived in or close to two of them–and they’re 1300 miles apart.) So go visit his boyhood home/favorite bakery/tonsorial establishment/deathbed and ponder life’s little ironies or say a pun.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:13 am
DJ,
Yes, Falmouth is a bit of a haul, but next time I’m heading out Cape Cod way, I’ll try to swing by.
Speaking of links, it was silly of me not to include one for Porter Square Books yesterday! Really, I’m a fan.
But then, maybe the Betrothed and I should move to Atlanta — sounds like you guys have quite the literary culture down theah! (Plus, no matter how much I’m hated there for being a Yankees fan, it couldn’t be as much as I’m hated by Red Sox fans.)
June 15th, 2007 at 10:15 am
p.s. Would you guys be cool if I blogrolled you on my blog? I believe in what you’re doing, and you seem like nice folk.
June 15th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Think: Feel free to add us to your roll. We’d be honored.
June 16th, 2007 at 10:39 am
DJ-
Youse are blogrolled! Thanks.
The vibe from BGB is very positive, and the world needs as much of that as possible.