University Book Store in Seattle, WA (the most literary city in the nation, just ask anyone from Seattle) is celebrating its 110th birthday on Sunday, that’s 110 on 1/10/10. In honor of this numerically significant birthday, the store asked 110 authors to each write a 110 word essay. The results are published in 110/110. Buy a book by one of the 110 contributors during 2010 and you’ll receive a free copy of 110/110. Several selections are accessible through the website, but Lensey Namioka’s contribution resonated with me:
“Why do I spend so much time in the University Bookstore? Let
me count the ways:
pawing through the box of books on sale;
reading the titles of books recommended by the staff;
visiting the children’s department and seeing kids listening to their
mother reading something aloud;
flipping through books in the humor section and giggling, until I see
someone staring at me;
browsing in the travel section and dreaming about visiting some of the places mentioned;
looking for a birthday card for a friend, trying to find one that
doesn’t tell her she’s an antique;
needing a break, and going to the café to eat a cranberry-apple scone.”
Lensey pretty much sums up my favorite bookstore experiences.
Claire
Kim
