A NOTE FROM THE BOOK REVIEW EDITOR: Laura Roesch

PHOTO BY ALEIGHSA WRIGHT

With the holidays comes the rush of shopping. While I am not too fond of shopping in general, I do enjoy buying books more than anything. During a recent visit to Cornwall, England, some of my best discoveries were antique shops and independent bookstores—with their respectively unique selection of books. I tend to get carried away, and it becomes a challenge to get my bookish treasures home as I am a “carry on” traveler. Needless to say, my bag was much heavier upon my return than it was at arrival in England.

The aptly-named “Edge of the World Bookstore” in Penzance was one of my primary destinations. A goodly portion of the inventory was specific to the beautiful Cornish coast and its environs, including a wonderful selection of Daphne du Maurier books. “Rebecca,” the hauntingly-written Gothic novel, one of her most popular, has never gone out of print since first published in 1938. Definitely worth a re-read! Of course, the works of Winston Graham, author of “Poldark,” were effectively displayed as well—in fact, the series has perpetuated tourism to the remote little villages of England’s southwestern coast. As so many of my friends, I am watching the BBC series of the same name, set in the late 18th century. The protagonist, a brooding but handsome young Cornish man who returns from the American Revolution, has captured the hearts of so many. I was surprised to hear that the TV series was based on books dating back to the 1940s. Graham’s descriptions of Cornwall are exquisite, perfectly capturing the remoteness
and sweeping beauty of the southwestern-most portion of the country. It is a rare occasion when a TV series does justice to a well-known book. This is one of those occasions. I am reading Graham’s “Poldark” series in tandem with the television series. A delight, as a reader and viewer alike.

Up the street and around the corner from the Edge was Barton Books, even smaller and more specialized, with an eclectic assortment of art and ecology-centric books. In St. Ives, on a narrow cobblestone street, I found the “St. Ives Bookseller.” Small, but packed floor to ceiling with novels and other literature, and wall to wall with patrons.

There seemed to be an indie bookstore in most every village or town I visited. That has not been my experience in this country, which is why I go out of my way to visit and support any I might encounter. You might think that indie bookstores are disappearing, but that may not be the case after all. According to the American Booksellers Association, there has been a 35 percent increase in the number of independent bookstores in the United States from 2009 to 2015. Currently 2,321 independent bookstores exist in the United States.

We all remember the big-box stores of B. Dalton, Waldenbooks, and Borders. In Northwest Florida, Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble still remain. There is something about roaming around a bookstore, whether it be large or small. The immediate purchase opportunity; the hands-on selection—it can be a personal and private experience yet offer a sense of community with fellow browsers and, depending on the atmosphere of the particular place, a return visit is almost always assured.

But it is the indie booksellers I admire most; persevering year after year, often against great odds and razor-thin margins. Yet they create cozy, welcoming, and enticing environments for their devoted patrons. There is much to be said for the personal experience at the local bookstore and the opportunity to support the local community.

Research by Harvard Business School professor Ryan L. Raffaelli suggests even more value in patronizing a local store, especially in today’s society where so much time is spent in isolation online. He notes that people “…are still eager to connect, and indie bookstores make that happen, creating a safe space … to debate new and important ideas with friends and neighbors.” So, join me in pledging to visit your local bookstore soon, and often. Let’s make sure the upward trend in the growth of bookstores continues. And is there a bookworm among us who hasn’t dreamt of owning their own bookstore? I know I have. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

How about you? What are your bookish dreams? Send me an email. We’ll talk.

-Laura