Tayari's Blog: The New Morrison Novel: In my hot little hands!

Posted by TayariJones on August 26, 2008 06:45 PM
Filed under Jersey Journals

A couple of days ago I was tootling down Jersey Ave, here in Jersey i HEART local bookstoresCity, and I stumbled upon the coziest bookstore, Imagine Atrium. I could not believe that I live within 3 blocks of an independent bookstore and didn't even know it. Me, being me, I walked right in and introduced myself to Garrad, the owner. We talked a lot about books and about the importance of supporting local businesses.

oooh! Gimme! Gimme!On the check out desk was a novel displayed in a little stand. A sign underneath said, "Review This Book For Our Website." I, thinking on my feet said, "Do you have an early copy of the new Toni Morrison novel?" Garrad said, "No, but maybe I could get it." I will spare you the details of me dancing a jig and urging him on. Today, he called me and told me that I could come and pick it up.

Imagine Atrium is part of "Indie Bound" the organization of independent bookstores, formerly known as Booksense. The difference is that Indie Bound is not about just about bookstores. It's about spending your money in your community. It's about fighting the homogenization of our culture. It's about raising awareness and it's about rigor. Indie Bound is about supporting institutions that support you and not handing over all Garrad, the man with the planyour resources to the big chains that don't really care about readers or writers or citizens in general.

If you are ever in Jersey City, check out his store. He cares about what we care about.



[divider]

There are 1 comments on "The New Morrison Novel: In my hot little hands!". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by writeblack [TypeKey Profile Page]

I am so incredibly jealous I can't even see straight! Lucky you!

You must share your thoughts on it as soon as you're done.

If I throw myself at the feet of my local indie bookseller here in Florida, I wonder if I could get an early copy.

August 26, 2008 07:07 PM

Your Comments

You are signed in as (sign out)

Please keep comments relevant to the topic. Inappropriate and offensive comments may be edited and/or removed without warning. Comments found on this site don't necessarily reflect the views of Tayari Jones.

(optional)

(required)