Around Indies

Austin’s BookPeople Featured in New York Times

On November 20, the New York Times featured a profile of Austin, Texas’ BookPeople that looked at the way the independent store started a campaign that spurred a movement. In 2002, upon hearing that a Borders location might open nearby, BookPeople co-owner Steve Bercu joined forces with John Kunz, the owner of the town’s independent record store, Waterloo Records, the paper said. Together, they urged their community to embrace local business. They borrowed a phrase from Austin librarian Red Wassenich and distributed bumper stickers that read “Keep Austin Weird” – a slogan that is now synonymous with supporting the city’s local businesses.

On November 11, BookPeople celebrated its 40th anniversary. Michael Hoinski of the Times reported that “many things ... have contributed to its longevity,” including the store’s reputation for hosting high-profile authors, such as Jonathan Franzen, Condoleezza Rice, and Jimmy Carter – all of whom have read and signed copies of their latest books within the past two months.

Lonely Planet Names 10 Best Bookstores in the World

Last week, Lonely Planet named its choices for the 10 best bookstores in the world.

On the list that includes Lello Bookshop in Lisbon, Bookàbar in Rome, and Atlantis Books in Greece is City Lights Books in San Francisco. Lonely Planet said that City Lights is “one of the world’s coolest bookshops, almost 60 years after it opened for bohemian business.” An icon in the literary scene, City Lights was a meeting point for many American legends, “from beat writers like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg onwards, it’s still central to the city’s vibrant cultural scene.”

In addition to an impressive stock that fills three floors, the store is known for its weekly readings and events.  “More than the nearby Beat Museum, this is the place to feel the boho buzz that once inspired Kerouac et al to drive across America to the Bay Area,” Lonely Planet wrote.

Stories Books & Cafe Celebrates Two Years of Success

On November 22, Los Angeles’ Stories Books & Cafe was featured in The Eastsider, an online news source that serves Echo Park and its surrounding neighborhoods. The store, which is celebrating its second anniversary this month, is a popular hangout for both families and friends.

Co-owner Claudia Colodro told the Eastsider that the store has been warmly welcomed by the community, and in return, she believes the store offers “a community meeting place, a new and used bookstore and a place to get great coffee.” Stories hosts many events that appeal to various ages, said Colodro, including “punk rock pioneer and goddess Lydia Lunch, who attracted a large and rowdy bunch, to [the store’s] currently on-hiatus ‘StoryTimeFunLand’ for kids.”

Owners Colodro and Liz Garo plan to celebrate their store’s second anniversary by throwing an in-store party and inviting the entire community to join.

Looking ahead, Colodro hopes “people continue to come in, that they continue to like being here and that they feel more and more like they couldn’t live without us because we can’t live without them.”