Tayari's Blog: Report From The Road: Hyattsville, MD
Posted by TayariJones on April 16, 2005 08:52 AM
Filed under
Book Tour
Yesterday, I read a Karibu Books in P.G. Mall. When I arrived at six in the evening, the store was bustling. People of all ages browsed the shelves, picking up books, deciding what to buy. I have to tell you that it did my heart good to see an black indepedent book store popping on a Friday evening. I know they NEA says reading is on the decline, but if what I saw last night is any indication, it's making a comeback in PG County.
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There are 5 comments on "Report From The Road: Hyattsville, MD". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.
Comment #1, by Frederick Smith
This is interesting... about the bookstore traffic on a Friday night in PG County, Maryland.
I went to a presentation a couple weeks ago on African American high school and college enrollment, and the presenters said PG County has the highest high school graduation rate of African American students than any other county in the U.S.
Maybe there's some connection between the graduation rate and how much the residents value literacy? Hmmm... Either way, it's nice to hear people are hanging out in bookstores on a Friday night.
April 16, 2005 07:47 PM
Comment #2, by Tayari
Fred,
Hanging is an understatement. That store was alive like a record store. It was amazing. Make sure you go there on your tour. You'll have to adjust. It's different that the sort of staid latte-sipping bookstores you may be used to, but if you get the people's attention, they will reward you by purchasing the book. Sometimes, they'll pick up more than one!
April 16, 2005 07:53 PM
Comment #3, by the happy booker
Thanks for visiting my site. I hope the mention of your reading helped get the word out! If you want to pop back to the blog for another visit I'd love to have you! Wendi
April 17, 2005 06:45 PM
Comment #4, by rocka
That is interesting... I used to live in MD, and I never realized that Karibu books were doing business like that. I love it when our people dispel myths.
Congrats on your published work...
April 18, 2005 10:37 AM
Comment #5, by Lauren Cerand
I totally agree -- Having attended your fabulous reading on Friday, I can say that Karibu made it seem like every mall in America could have a totally happening independent bookstore. But I also know that it takes a lot of work and commitment to make it look so easy!
April 20, 2005 04:51 PM