Need a vintage/used book fix? I will have a very eclectic mix of books at the Choo Choo Swapmeet tomorrow! Many cookbooks, some childrens, fiction, lots of beautiful antique and vintage volumes, nonfiction, you name it. Come on down to the Tri County Fairgrounds and bring a bag!  I’ll also have some left over furnishings and fixtures.

Watching books go out the door by the armful is beyond bittersweet.  I am so glad people are buying books, and that I don’t have to pack them. I am so thankful someone finally discovered that cool Robert Service book, the tiny book of English homes, and the Turkish Cookbook.  I am so disheartened that it took a closing sale to see THIS level of business.  In any case,  thank you everyone that has come in with kind words and support, and left with those precious armloads.

Our closing date will be by the end of the month of July.  Books will have to be gone in order to clear everything else out, so anticipate mid month.  As soon as there is nothing to sell, we will be closed, between now and July 30.  If someone still decides to buy the store, I will rip down the sale signs and sign the paper.

I would like to make a small editorial comment.  I have been told repeatedly that  I am closing because no one reads, because of Amazon, because a store like this just is not viable.  To which my response now is – Just Stop.    Actually sales have increased here every year, and while it is not a gold mine,  it keeps perking along and growing.  Nationally, bookstores are opening more than closing according to the American Booksellers Association, and independent bookstores are thriving in many, many communities that value them.   All of you stocking up while our doors are still open are still readers and book lovers, and there are MANY of us still out there.  There may be a smaller percentage of readers than in the past, but we still have many readers who appreciate bookstores.  So STOP making this our narrative.  Just start reading to kids, anybody’s kids of any age, so we have another generation of readers.  Make a point of diversifying your own  reading and putting down the devices.  Join a book club or something.  And please, please shop at local businesses if you value them in your community.  And lastly, from my personal experience,  please do not presume to tell a business owner why they are closing.

Thank you again to the many dear friends that have been a part of my family’s life for the past 13 years because of the bookstore.  I am deeply grateful.

Graduations keep happening!  Sweet little kids keep turning into young adults and moving on with their lives.  How can it be, I don’t know.  I do know  I’m fortunate to get to know some young people here in the store, it is a highlight of this job!  We have two bookstore “family” members graduating from Bishop Union High this week, and starting an exciting new chapter in their lives.

This year, we acknowledge Jackie Ellis who shelved, served mountains of ice cream, and helped with crafts, games and refreshments at numerous community literacy events.  She has moved on to another job in the last few months, but we still miss her friendliness, loyalty, willingness to learn new things, and great work ethic.  I especially loved her pleasant attitude when asked to stay late for Street of Lights or some other busy event.  Jackie is a young woman who will do well wherever she goes.  Congratulations Jackie!

Jackie helping some royalty make jellyfish.

Thomas Eitel joined our crew in the Fall, but many people assumed he was already part of the family!  It became a standing joke as customer after customer made reference to him as one of my sons.  (It must be our glasses?)  While no relation, we have thoroughly enjoyed working with him and appreciate his sense of humor, hard work on whatever is in front of him, and his reliability.  He plans to study history at a UC, which goes to show how smart he is too!  Congratulations and thank you Thomas!

Happy Earth Day weekend to all!  There appear to be many fun and probably educational activities planned around the Eastern Sierra, and I hope you enjoy them.  There is nothing more glorious than a spring green day with snow sparkly mountains to appreciate this beautiful part of the world.

My in-box is flooded with items that remind me that “every day is earth day for farmers”, which I believe is true.  Family farmers have a huge incentive to take good care of the earth that is their home, livelihood, dinner, recreation, wealth, and children’s inheritance.  Of course that is true for everyone, right?  However, this is one instance where farmers cut out the “middlemen”.  If only the job came with a crystal ball for the decisions that are within our control and the forces completely out of our realm of influence.

And my second job – selling used books?  All about recycling and reusing too!  Looking around the shop, we have recycled books from 1610 to 2018.  That’s a pretty long shelf life.  It is astounding how long the well made older books hold up to multiple readings and centuries of storage, dust, and sunlight.  I’m sure there are lessons to be learned from that example.  Don’t get me wrong, I adore shiny, clean new books with wonderful reviews, author interviews, and excerpts which are as tempting as chocolate.  Just a reminder that there are thousands of old titles out there which may not be as shiny but are wonderful reads.  Do I need to remind you that you will also be saving the Earth?