The Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative – Madison, WI

September 26, 2011 in bookstore, politics by Kim | No comments

My son, Kyle Allen-Niesen, particularly enjoyed this bookstore during our summer vacation and agreed to write a review.  Thank you, Kyle!

Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative in Madison, Wisconsin, is a lovely example of a community bonding together over literature.  Its placement, just off the main commercial street in Madison, is such that it still can attract the careful tourist or college student; yet mainly appeal to the local community and its own members.  The bookstore has two rooms, one entry where most of the new selections are displayed, and a second room with couches and gently used books sparely populating the shelves at substantial discounts.  It is extremely liberal, although the fact that it is a Co-Op might have given that away, (members pay 30 dollars to get a 10 percent discount on all their books as well as a vote in the direction and choices of the store).  The windows are festooned with “Recall-Walker” images and slogans, a common theme in the many bookstores of Madison.  Clearly, the literary types are with the unions (me too!).

The shop primarily deals in new books with a majority dedicated to and critical literature and various rights movement materials.  Never before have I seen entire sections dedicated to Empire, or Anarchy, and they had had more books on the Women’s Rights movement than stores with far more books.  I had just recently learned the debate topic for I will be debating for the next two months concerned animal rights, and straight away the staff were able to point me to Peter Singer’s book Animal Liberation, one of the core works in support of a fundamental equality for animals.  The staff seemed knowledgeable, and fairly friendly, with extremely evident loyalty to their operation.  We learned that most of the people behind the counter are volunteers from the members, and that the paid staff are the minority in the rotation running the store.  All in all, with the incredible array of bookstores in Madison, it can sometimes be difficult to know which to visit.  Of those, however, Rainbow is one to stop at.  Its overt political leanings and interesting selection make for a unique perusing experience.

Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative

426 W. Gilman Street

Madison, WI

T:  608.257.6050

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Museum Monday – Art Catalogues Store at LACMA and the Kienholz Discussion

September 19, 2011 in art, bookstore, politics by Kim | No comments

Great Store for Modern Art Books

Great museums have bookstores, MOMA, the Met, and the Chicago Art Institute all have wonderful stores.  The Hammer has two locations right now, it’s permanent store upstairs and the temporary Libros Schmibros in a gallery space.  The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is no different.  Situated in its own space just off the main entrance, Art Catalogues specializes in modern and contemporary art, specifically from 1913 to the present.  The store stocks current and past art catalogues, and not only limited to LACMA shows.  This is a good start for hunting down a rare art book.  Art history books, biographies, and general knowledge books also line the shelves.  Although situated off a passageway without windows, it’s white walls and shelves provide an airy atmosphere.  My primary criteria when looking at a museum bookstore is if it is worth visiting separate from the collection and if you’re looking for works on Modern Art this store passes muster.

A Magical Afternoon – the Kienholz Discussion

I spent a couple of hours in the store yesterday listening to a discussion about the Kienholz Five Car Stud, 1969 – 1972, Revisited exhibit.  I think this is the best bookstore event I’ve attended.  The sales clerk agreed.  I talk about the sense of community and exchange of ideas that occur in bookstores and I’ve experienced it numerous times, but this event glittered with ideas and shared memories.  Kienholz’s Five Car Stud is an installation piece about five white men castrating a black man because they found him in his pick up truck with a white woman.  The exhibit is part of Pacific Standard Time, a region-wide art extravaganza that examines the development of art in Los Angeles.

The discussion centered around Kienholz, the era, and political art.  One speaker, Joe Lewis, an artist and educator, said that political art didn’t occupy the footprint it deserved in the art world because it tended to be didactic to the extreme.  It tended to hit people over the head with its message.  He advocated that political art give people space to experience it and think about it rather than slap them in the face when they walk in the room.  I immediately thought of Robbie Conal, his political posters helped most LA liberals survive the Bush years, and there he was in the audience asking Lewis if by advocating political art with an aesthetic he meant art that was beautiful?  (Lewis wisely said ‘I’m not getting in that discussion with you right now.”)

If that wasn’t enough, Kienholz’s family was there to discuss previous installations of the piece in Europe and how it was received.  The gallery owner of Brockman Gallery, who exhibited the ultra controversial Noah Purifoy installation, talked about the upheaval it caused and the risk he took exhibiting it.   Ed Bereal, artist and performance artist from the 19602 and 70s, shared his memories, but then many in the audience added their experience of working with him in the ghetto. A well-respected civil rights advocate described the impact of Bereal’s Bodacious Buggernilla in the South Central area, he’d even kept posters from the performances all these years.

The discussion was better than traveling back in a time machine, it was getting a peek at a time forty years ago from people who lived it, survived it, and had evaluated it in their maturity.  It is my new favorite example of what bookstores provide to their community.  I promise you, it could never be duplicated online in any format.  To hear the thoughts and memories of these people and their interaction with each other and those of us who were learning about them was priceless.

Art Catalogues Store

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

5905 Wilshire Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90036

T:  323.857.6159

 

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O’Gara & Wilson, Ltd. – Chicago, IL

September 17, 2011 in bookstore, used books by Kim | No comments

I noticed one of my favorite aromas five steps before I entered the store, Chicago’s oldest bookstore smells like aged paper and binding. O’Gara & Wilson has serious books.  This is a haven for academics, anyone researching specific topics, or collectors of antique books.  I noticed an extensive religion section, quite impressive actually.  Also, significant collections of music books, German books, and other collections in various languages.  As with all good used bookstores, the offerings may change over time as collections are purchased and added to the shelves.  O’Gara & Wilson look for and buy significant book collections, if you have one to sell, this would be a good place to start.  Not everything is serious, Keith found a stack of Popular Science magazines and bought two.  Decades ago each cost 25 cents, we paid $7.50 and $12.50 for each – don’t automatically throw out those magazines in your garage, they may be worth something.

This store wins the prize for oddest decor.  Immediately apparent is the buffalo head hanging over the center aisle.  Further back is a stuffed monk.  It’s a little creepy, but in an inviting way.  I was immediately drawn into the back of the store to figure out if the statute was a witch, a monk, made out of wax or wood, was it holiday decor or permanent?  The clerk explained that when the Museum of Science and Industry was refurbished, the inscribing monk didn’t make the cut and was headed for the trash heap.  In swooped the owner to save the monk and give him a second life as guardian of the stacks.

Founded in 1882, the store has a nice history of passing from one owner to the next.  Wilson was an apprentice to O’Gara and eventually became the owner of the store.  I asked the clerk if he was next in line, he chuckled and refused to commit.

O’Gara & Wilson

1448 E. 57th Street

Chicago, IL 60637

T:  773.363.0993

 

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Books by the Bay – North Bend, OR

September 13, 2011 in bookstore, used books by Kim | No comments

Beautiful view of Coos Bay from North Bend, OR

I effectively had a seven hour “lay over.”  My plane arrived in the little town of North Bend, OR at 8AM (I flew in with the Governor of Oregon, nice to see him flying commercial and working the entire flight), but Keith and Kyle didn’t arrive until 5PM.  What to do?  Set up shop in a bookstore, of course.  This is a real small town, in the sense that it isn’t a tourist town made cute for visitors.  These people live and work here, and they visit their bookstore.  Books by the Bay is a used bookstore with lovely coffee shop.  I was reading The Brothers Karamazov and was just starting the Grand Inquisitor section so I settled down with some great coffee and quiche while eavesdropping on the tables around me.

Many of the books are mass market paperbacks at great prices.  As with many used bookstores, there’s a wide selection of romance and mysteries.  However, every genre is available from history to non-fiction to young adult to literature.  I was impressed by the support for local authors.  These books were prominently displayed at the front of the store.  Readings and signings are held along with books clubs.

It is an inviting environment.  This isn’t the musty used bookstore that entices a treasure hunt.  Books by the Bay is bright, airy, and nicely organized.  The books may be a bit worn, but the surroundings are not.

Books by the Bay is a place for readers.  In the couple of hours that I camped out in the coffee shop, I heard an intense discussion about a novel that would put any book group to shame.  These women picked apart every character and plot device.  One of the local authors dropped by to chat and check on his books.  The people at the table behind me discussed books and travel plans while looking for books about their trip.  Everyone knew someone in the cafe.  No one entered without stopping to say hi to a friend.  Books by the Bay is the epitome of the community bookstore.  Even for strangers like myself, it’s a lovely place to spend a morning.

Books by the Bay

1875 Sherman Ave.

North Bend, OR 97459

T:  541.756.1215

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The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies

September 10, 2011 in history, Literary Event by Kim | No comments

I love hearing about Frances McClellan’s literary excursions.  Today she is sharing a visit into the life of Steinbeck, I can’t wait to visit myself.  Check out Frances’ past contributions, Hicklebee’s, The King’s English Bookshop, Bookbuyers Used Books and Media, and The Twig Bookshop.

Hoping to share a unique experience with a good friend and Steinbeck admirer who was in for the weekend from Los Angeles, my husband and I took him to The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies. Housed in the Martin Luther King library on the campus of San Jose State University the center is open most days. Having already visited the center in the past for readings, I endeavored to experience this place anew.

My own experience during past visits to this Steinbeck sanctuary included introductions to emerging authors and poets as well as a brief handshake with Steinbeck’s son, Thomas. This visit was one of discovery compelled by my desire to know more about the man so many admire.

Getting to know an author is a complex, involved business. Reading works of literature, poetry or commentary can’t quite give a reader the full understanding of the person. The works will never fully show the author’s method of writing nor the instrument or influences used in the craft.

Walking up to a side table, I noticed a ream of paper sitting there for anyone to pick up and review. Curiosity getting the better part of me, I picked up the stack of paper as the docent walked over to describe the item I was holding. The long, legal sized papers were copies of Steinbeck manuscripts. Holding them up to read, I noted for the first time that John Steinbeck had minute and scribbled penmanship, practically illegible to the untrained eye. The pages are chock full of line after line of minuscule, quickly written prose. Paper was scarce when Steinbeck wrote so he literally filled pages with words creating his masterful stories, allowing only a slight margin on his work pages. In addition, I am told that he wrote in pencil, never pen.

The center is modest in size with two small offices in the corner and a visitor desk welcoming inquiries. High windows, allowing the warming California sunshine into the room also providing ample light for reading and exploring the space. A quiet place, with its worktables, colorful posters and broad bookshelves housing the largest collection of first edition, John Steinbeck works. The collection of books, is augmented by thousands of related materials such as personal letters, photographs, original manuscripts and even a few of the author’s own pencils, giving this archival collection a singularly refined focus.

We are shown by the docent, Steinbeck family pictures as well as pictures prepared by the publisher. Studio posters are available for study as they tout a movie based on the various books. Steinbeck is, after all, an American classic.

A Steinbeck enthusiast would have to make the pilgrimage to this place in order to appreciate the depth of these collected works and artifacts.

The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies

San Jose State University

Room 590, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library

San Jose, CA 95192 0202

T:  408.808.2067

 

 

 

 

 

 

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