An Ode to Bookstores

When we were in New Mexico at our land this summer, we couldn’t locate one of the corner property stakes – until an old New Mexico rancher used divining rods to dowse out the exact spot, buried in dirt beneath the mesquite.
If I had divining rods, I think they would lead me to bookstores. That’s where I always seem to end up, no matter what city I’m in. A magnetic pull, a scent, a true north – I’m not sure exactly what draws me, but sure enough, there I am again, standing in front of shelves of books.
In this age of Internet shopping and online discounts, just what is it about the brick-and-mortar stores that keeps us coming back for more? I decided to visit Copperfield’s in Sebastopol, Pages on the Green in Windsor, and Levin & Co. in Healdsburg to ask customers one simple question: Why do you go to bookstores?
The most popular answer, by a wide margin, centered on the importance of the sheer physicality of the books. As Dakota Rowland said at Copperfield’s, “I want the book in my hand, I want to smell it. And I only buy new ones. They’re like the last treasure.” Kristine Leroux Siebert at Levin & Co. agreed, saying, “I love holding, touching, feeling books.” And, said Sarah Baker at Pages on the Green, “You can look through it, read a little of it.” That ability to preview the book ranked high with everyone surveyed. As Bert Kaplan said at Copperfield’s, “I glance, I see a few pages, and can tell, ‘Is this something I want to read?’”
There is also the quality of the search. As Seán Pfister coined it, “Serendipity. You can wander the aisles and run into things. There is easier discovery.” Chuck Hoffman at Levin & Co. said he loves to look, noting that he tries “to find a gem that is fun to read.” Tim Swift, who was at Pages on the Green with his son Zac, a sophomore at Windsor High, said, “I don’t know what I like until I see it and hear it and read it.”
Bookstores become a hub for those who love the written word. Swift said, “They are a place to have a conversation about a book.” His son Zac said he enjoys going with his parents so he can recommend titles to them that he’s reading at the high school. Pfister noted, “Bookstores are an anchor in our community.” He quipped, “They’re kind of like a bar, but the drinks last longer.”
And each store has its particular draw, as well. Several folks commented on the great “staff recommends” table at their favorite bookshop. Rowland likes the fact that Copperfield’s welcomes her dog, and gives biscuits. Leroux Siebert has been coming to Levin & Co. since before they were at the current location on the plaza, and has always felt comfortable, having a personal relationship with owners Aaron Rosewater and his mother Adele Levin. Middle school student Sarah Baker says Pages on the Green has a great selection, from nonfiction to science fiction.
Customers admit they do order online, but a surprising number of them have private “commitments” to their local bookstores. Rowland said she makes sure to buy at least one book a month at Copperfield’s. Jan Blalock at Levin & Co. will order audio books online, but is most likely to buy books at stores because she wants to give her dollars to local businesses. Shelly Lever summed it up when she said, “I want to support bookstores because I don’t want them to go out of business – but I also genuinely love them.”
Pfister said, “I think we’ve all had this experience, that we’ve put our hands on something, a book, that ends up being life-changing. I know sometimes it’s hard for bookstore owners (economically), but I’m glad they’re here.”
Why do you love bookstores?
Michelle Wing is a writer of poetry and creative nonfiction. She has deep roots in community journalism, serves on the board of Redwood Writers and is a member of the Healdsburg Literary Guild. Michelle lives in Cloverdale with her wife and a menagerie. She is assisted in her creative endeavors by her service dog Ripley, never more than a few inches away.