Montana Writers Salute Bozeman Bookstore with 'One Fine Page'

People who love their local bookstores may never have the opportunity to express their feelings. That's not so at the Country Bookshelf in Bozeman, Montana.

On Thursday evening, September 12, over 20 Bozeman-area authors will appear at the store to celebrate the bookstore and its owner, Mary Jane DiSanti, by reading "One Fine Page" of their work. Nationally and regionally known authors, including Tim Cahill, Jim Harrison, Jamie Harrison, William Hjortsberg, Yvonne Baskin, Doug Peacock, Susan Ewing, Jack Horner, Julia Thorne, Scott McMillion, and Greg Keeler, will each present a single page reading.

Notices for the event, which is sponsored by the Southside Writers Collective, claim that the free, public event will present a rarity: "Writers, onstage, manifesting discipline and brevity!"

The event has been organized by David Quammen, an award-winning essayist (The Boilerplate Rhino, The Song of the Dodo, Touchstone) and exegete of the natural world. ("I'm a bit too sarcastic, post-modern, and full of piss and vinegar, to be called a 'nature writer,'" Quammen told BTW.)

He proposed the event because for him "as a writer and customer for the past 20 years, the Country Bookshelf has always been there; I feel such a debt of gratitude. It's a good time to say thank you and to remind people of the value of an independent, locally owned, locally operated community store. It's right on Main Street, in the middle of a great downtown where the environment [to survive] gets harder and harder."

Perhaps the announcement of Bozeman's first book superstore, Barnes & Noble, inspired Quammen and others to show their appreciation for the 45-year-old, 7,000-square-foot store. "We have no interest in demonizing the chain stores. This event is not against them; it's for the bookstore. The Country Bookshelf is a pillar of the community," said Quammen.

Owner DiSanti is delighted with the writers' initiative. "I can't tell you how great it feels. This means a lot to me that the authors are doing this to say thank you. We have always supported them and now they're supporting us. More authors have been calling wanting to read, but we can't handle anymore. The authors themselves are bringing the refreshments and wine. My biggest concern is fitting all the people who are planning to come."

DiSanti became a customer of the original Bookshelf when it opened in 1957. The store's original owner was Polly Renne, wife of the Montana State University president. "Even as a little girl, I always wanted to work here. I feel so lucky because I love going to work every day. I probably could have made more money … but it isn't just a business, it's a love," DiSanti told BTW.

After 28 years of store ownership -- "more than half my life" -- DiSanti puts the specter of chain stores in some perspective: "The store is doing very well; we had a busy year. I have a wonderful staff, really experienced and knowledgeable…. Am I worried about Barnes & Noble moving in? I'm worried about whether we are going to war [with Iraq]." -- Nomi Schwartz