I loved the atmosphere of The Book Works the moment I rounded the corner and looked in the door; it immediately felt cozy and warm. My eyes darted all over, to the dark bookcases and tables full of books, the old wooden carousel horse hanging from the ceiling, the framed pictures, the colorful pottery, and the painted wood items scattered throughout the store. It is a cross between a store and a reader’s home. In addition to the visual smorgesboard, the aroma from the attached coffee shop, Pannikin Coffee and Tea, was yummy. I only had a few minutes, but I wanted to stay for hours.
The clerk was terrific, she recommended various books but I was particularly interested in The Writing Class by Jincy Willett because of the story the clerk told me. Apparantly, Ms. Willett wrote a book of short stories, Jenny and the Jaws of Life published in 1987, which went out of print. A few years ago, David Sedaris was asked which book that is out of print would he like to see republished, and he named Jenny and the Jaws of Life. As a result, that book was republished in 2002, she then came out with a novel, The National Book Award (for the longest time I thought the title of the book was Jincy Willett and that it received the National Book Award) and then her latest book, The Writing Class. It is the story of a writing class at UCSD extension (the University isn’t named, but I’m an alumni and I recognized the descriptions) in which a series of murders occur. I had so much fun reading it, I just blasted through. The description of the teacher and what “success” did to her along with the students, some of whom are there to write, others to pick up on writers, was hilarious. I gave the book to my writing teacher, when she’s done I’m going to “confirm” that I’m not like any of the students in the book, right? Ms. Willett lives close to The Book Works in Del Mar and teaches writing classes there. Through her website you can order The Writing Class from The Book Works and request a personal inscription.
The Book Works offers a variety of writing classes from several teachers. It also organizes several book groups, the usual fiction (current and classical), but also history, business and non-fiction. It holds a unique Mind-Brain Series on science which draws on the expertise from science community at UCSD and Scripts Institute. Every Friday night live music is played. The store specializes in literature, childrens books, current non-fiction, cookbooks (some of which were works of art themselves) and art books. The store rewards repeat customers with a patronage program, for every ten purchases, the customer receives a free book. Last but certainly not least, the website mentions that San Diego Magazine named the “sexy, smart Book Works employees” as one of the sexiest features of Del Mar in May, 2007.
The Book Works
Flower Hill Promenade
2670 Via De La Valle, Ste. A230
Del Mar, CA 92014
Tel: 858.755.3735
Tags: California, California bookstore, Del Mar, Del Mar bookstore, San Diego, San Diego bookstore, unique
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