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Abbey Books & Gifts – Valyermo, CA

November 13, 2011 in bookstore, Uncategorized by Kim | 1 comment

I spent just over 24 hours last week at St. Andrews Abbey.  I’m not Catholic, but I enjoy joining the monks in the Daily Office.  For those of you new to that term (and that would’ve been me a couple of years ago), it’s the practice of pausing at several set times through out the day for prayer and scripture reading.  It’s also sometimes called the hours (no, not the book by Michael Cunningham).  The monks meet in the chapel at 6AM, 7:30AM, noon, 6PM and 8:30PM.  In between, they work at assigned jobs.  I joined them three times, participated in my own retreat but, of course, found time to visit the Abbey bookstore.

St. Andrews Ceramics

As with the rest of the grounds, the bookstore is a soothing location with beautiful music, a quiet atmosphere, and inviting surroundings.  Abbey Books & Gifts shelves a wide variety of books on spirituality.  I expected to see only Catholic themed texts, but the store provides resources for several different faith traditions, specifically including Judaism and Buddhism.  This is a fairly intellectual store, the options aren’t for the lightweight reader.  The store is well-organized, shelves are clearly marked by saint, author, or type of spirituality.  The emphasis is on Catholic theology.  There are shelves of texts about each of the well-known saints and the writings of said saints.  (Actually, I’m making a bit of an assumption.  I don’t know many saints, but there were shelves for all that I did know and if I know them, they are, by definition, well known.)  Plus, deep collections of books by Catholic theologians, i.e. Nouwen (my favorite), Merton, and Bonhoeffer.  Various types of Catholic theology have entire sections:  Cistercian, Benedictine, Eastern, and modern.

The topics I’ve seen in other general Christian stores were offered here also.  Books on prayer, scripture studies, Bibles, and church history.  There was a special section for children and young adult readers.  Fiction is available, but it weighs toward the intellectual side.  Think Flannery O’Connor and Penguin classics.  The fantasy world is well represented with several shelves of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein.

While the store devotes most of its space to books, what it is most famous for is the ceramics made at the Abbey.  The original monks created ceramic ornaments and decorative wall plaques using a specific angel figure and it is a tradition that continues.  It’s not uncommon to see them represented on Southern California Christmas trees.  After visiting the store, I realized there is an ornament for just about every occasion, profession, hobby, or sports activity.

For a chance to delve in serious spirituality, drop by the store in this beautiful high desert location or give the monks a call, they’d be happy to help you.

Abbey Books & Gifts

31001 N Valyermo Road

Valyermo, CA 93563

T:  661.944.2178

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Alexander Book Co. – San Francisco, CA

November 8, 2011 in bookstore by Kim | No comments

Alexander Book Co. is a traditional independent bookstore tucked around a corner in downtown San Francisco.  Wedged between office towers and the Academy of Arts complex, it’s a cozy respite from steel, glass, and marble.  The store even smells like good books waiting to be discovered.

The first time I tried to visit the store, I arrived just after closing time.  The store keeps business hours and shuts down with the surrounding offices.  However, the second time I dropped by I dashed in just before 6PM and found that if there are customers meandering through the store, the staff won’t shoo them out right at 6PM, but give them time to find their favorite book.  I heard one bookseller say “take your time, I don’t have anywhere to rush off to.”  Now that is a level of customer service that is incredibly welcoming.

The store had me when I found displays of books from my three favorite publishers:  Europa, NYRB, and Archipelago Books.  Literary fiction is heavily emphasized and well represented, I could’ve purchased an armload of books.  What I found especially intriguing was a wide selection of African-American fiction prominently displayed (rather than given its own section in a wall bookcase).  This is a genre I’m not as familiar with and one I haven’t seen placed front and center.  I flipped through several new titles.

Alexander Book Co. is three stories of books offering a full selection of most genres.  Given that the Academy of Arts is in the neighborhood, there is a terrific selection of design books.  In fact, Alexander Book Co. stocks texts for the school, something I noticed in stores by east coast schools but for the first time on the west coast.  I wish more universities and independent bookstores would work together, it’s a lovely partnership where it exists.

If you’re in the SOMA area, drop by.  I found the store a peaceful interlude from the hustle and bustle outside, but remember to go during business hours.

Alexander Book Co.

50 Second St.

(Between Market & Mission)

San Francisco, CA 94105

T:  415.495.2992

 

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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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Libros Schmibros is the Artist-in-Residence at the Hammer Museum

September 8, 2011 in art, bookstore by Kim | No comments

What happens when two of my favorite things pair up?  A unique bookstore fills the gallery of a contemporary museum.  A while back David Kippen, book critic and former director of literature for the NEA, noticed two things:  the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles didn’t have a bookstore while the local libraries were cutting hours, and that he owned 7,000 books.  In response, he opened Libros Schmibros, a small store front in Boyle Heights where the community can borrow books or buy them at a heavy discount.  It is run by volunteers, that’s right, it’s a true labor of love.  All of literary LA loves this concept, so much so that the Hammer invited him to the westside of LA to take over the lobby gallery for six weeks.  Think a pop up bookstore museum style.  Same rules apply here, books are available to borrow or buy at a discounted price.  In fact, residents of Westwood and Boyle Heights can buy the books for a dollar.  Anyone else heard of a local bookstore selling books to locals for a buck?

Part of the back mural

The store is packed with books under a banner on the back wall depicting Los Angeles literary figures.  The banner itself is worth entering the gallery.  But the books won’t disappoint either.  They’re all arranged alphabetically by author, fiction, non-fiction, all genres are shelved together (with the exception of California history and art books).  I like the mixture, it felt strangely efficient.

What would a bookstore or a gallery installation be without related events?  Libros Schmibros hosts several over the next few weeks.  I attended a quiz about LA History last weekend in honor the reissue of the Los Angeles in the 1930s:  The WPA Guide to Los Angeles.  Halfway through the quiz, my team was in the lead.  I think this is more indicative of my ability to pick teammates among strangers than it is of my knowledge of LA history.  Unfortunately, I had to leave before the second half of the quiz began so I don’t know the ultimate winner.  Even on days without events, the website lists the hours of well known volunteers (guest workers) such as authors and film makers so the public can stop by and ask them about their artistic work.

It’s a charming space, stop by if you’re in the neighborhood.

Libros Schmibros at the Hammer Museum

10899 Wilshire Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90024

T:  310.443.7000

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Kepler’s Books – Menlo Park, CA

July 17, 2011 in bookstore, childrens, used books, young adult by Kim | No comments

As we walked into Kepler’s Books I told Kelsey, “I’ll buy you one paperback book.”  I picked up its The Indie Reader at the front door to read over brunch at the store cafe before shopping.  That was an expensive decision.

The Indie Reader is quite impressive.  Twenty pages of book suggestions and event schedules, there was practically a book on every page that sounded fascinating.  Kepler’s is certainly a player in the ebook age, many of the books in newspaper had a QR code, just scan the code and download the book.  The newspaper also directed readers to Kepler’s other social networking endeavors, three blogs (one for teens, one for writers and another for everyone else) and a Facebook page.  Anyone who still believes bookstores are remnants of a bygone era needs to stop by here.  Efforts to create a community aren’t limited to the internet.  The newspaper highlights the store’s Literary Circle Membership, a group of people willing to put their reading money to good use.  A variety of membership levels offer members discounts, rewards and special access to author events.  It’s perfect for anyone who wants to participate in the active literary scene at Kepler’s.

Does the store back up the image in The Indie Reader?  Absolutely!  It’s a spacious full service store with plenty of stock.  I appreciated the bulk of reading recommendations for kids and teens up front, Kelsey was absorbed from the moment we walked in.  The literary fiction section winds down the length of a large wall, ending in a shelf dedicated to Europa books.  I always find book group shelves interesting, it’s a way to keep up with what many people are reading around the country.  Here, it’s a delight.  A whole row of shelves is given over to dozens and dozens of book groups, some with clever names like “Hotties” or “1961″ (the year the group started, I had to ask).  The non-fiction and genre sections are just as extensive, this is a store where odds are good you’ll find what you need.  There are used books also, not a huge section but definitely some good choices.  Moreover, Kepler’s has an extensive selection of magazines, one area of the bookstores that is getting harder to find.

After meandering for quite awhile, Kelsey found me with two books she had to read.  After reading about them in The Indie Reader I wanted them too and so as I paid for the two hardbacks, I told the cashier “I came in here saying only one paperback.”  He looked at Kelsey and said “well done.”

Kepler’s Books

1010 El Camino Real

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Tel:  650.324.4321

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