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When Dawud Hakim opened Hakim’s Book Store in 1959, it was more because he was compelled to share knowledge with the wider community than because he saw an unfilled niche, although both were true. Hakim was inspired by newfound knowledge. “He became intrigued after he read some books by the author Joel Augustus Rogers, Five … Read more
Sometimes as a reader, all you want to do is be able to walk into a bookstore and admire the presence of literature without being overwhelmed by the endless choices on the shelves. Luckily for readers, the small independent bookstore Downtown Books in Lexington, Virginia, is the perfect location for overcoming the daunting task of … Read more
Walking into Odyssey Bookstore, even for the first time, feels like coming home after a long day. This is probably because it was originally built as a house a couple of hundred years ago, and it has retained most of its original structure ever since. Even the fireplace remains. It overflows with books now, which … Read more
While perusing the charming downtown streets of Lexington, Virginia, I found it very easy to get lost in the magical little town. Littered with small businesses, restaurants, and eccentric stores, Lexington is the perfect home to the small independent bookstore, The Bookery. Seated comfortably between the Lexington Pet Place and the Mountain City Masonic Lodge, … Read more
It happened the way you’d expect it to happen in a movie—workmen uncovered a secret passage while renovating an old shop. They’d been contracted by brothers Adam and Sam Morris to redo the floors as the pair prepared to convert a defunct ballet studio into what became Your Brother’s Bookstore. The pair held their breath … Read more
In the realm of inventive, imaginative, and productive ways of bringing books, authors, and readers together, visionary Terry Gilman of Creating Conversations in Redondo Beach, California, has enough know-how to fill a guidebook. Her statement in a recent interview, “The only thing I do is sell books,” is a bit modest when you consider the … Read more
“Déjà vu: a feeling that one has seen or heard something before” Merriam-Webster, 2022 When Lafayette, Louisiana, boasted the near 90-degree weather, I drove to pick up an iced coffee from CC’s Coffee House. Predictably, not knowing my way around, I got lost on the way back. To get my bearings, I turned into a parking lot … Read more
Being someone who loves to write, I’m always in need of a new pen and notebook. My recently acquired dark blue, medium-tipped TUL pen needed a new notebook companion, so I set off to find one. Since I am not one to possess even the slightest sense of direction, I relied on my longtime driving … Read more
