independent bookstores

The L.A. Indie Book Crawl

Posted on by Wendy Kennar
Most of the books I bought during the Indie Book Crawl. I purchased a few children's books I plan on donating to local free libraries. I also bought bookmarks. And in this photo you can see the sticker I earned after visiting 4 stores and the pin I earned after visiting 10 stores.

Recently I did a few things I don’t normally do.

I skipped writing a to-do list for two days.

I left my home for many hours on two consecutive days.

I visited neighborhoods I don’t normally visit.

I spent money on purchases I don’t “need.” (Need can be subjective. Do I need these items the way I need air to breathe and water to drink? No. But, do I need these items the way I need a kiss from my husband, candles on the dining table, and flowers in my writing room? Yes.) 

You may be wondering why I did these things. 

Because one of my closest friends and I were on a mission. 

We chose to participate in an adventure/challenge. 

Maybe I should refer to it as a challenging adventure? 

Or an adventurous challenge? Both seem applicable.

We chose to participate in the first ever Los Angeles Indie Book Crawl. Thirteen independent bookstores joined forces during this weekend-long event. (While the Book Crawl was a three day event – July 24th-26th, my friend and I did it in two days – Friday, July 24th and Saturday, July 25th.)

Now that I’ve had a few days to process the experience, here are some of my biggest takeaways:

1. Book people are friendly. My friend and I chatted with others “on the crawl.” We noticed familiar faces at different stores. We shared stories about our progress, the stores we had already visited, those we planned to visit next. Everyone seemed genuinely excited to be participating in this new event and sharing the experience with others. 

2. Book people are generous. During our two days, I noticed participants chatting about book recommendations and offering suggestions about parking. I was super fortunate to be on the receiving end of another reader’s generosity on Day 2 of our adventure. We were at Chevalier’s Bookstore in Larchmont Village, waiting in line to see Gabrielle Zevin. I had planned to purchase a copy of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow a book I haven’t yet read, that I would then ask Ms. Zevin to sign. Except the bookstore ran out of copies. I waited in line with my friend, who had brought from home her copy of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. The woman in line in front of us started chatting with us, and when she learned I wasn’t going to be able to have a book signed, she handed over a copy of the book she had planned to purchase. (She had her own hardcover copy with her and was happy to give me the paperback version.)

3. Authors are rock stars. My friend and I waited in line to see Taylor Jenkins Reid at Skylight Books in Los Feliz and Gabrielle Zevin at Chevalier’s Bookstore. There were long lines of readers waiting to get books signed. And, these authors didn’t just sign our books. They personalized them. They took a moment to chat. Ms. Zevin posed for photos with anyone who asked her. And as if all that wasn’t enough, let’s not forget that authors are Master Creators. The only tools they have are the same tools we all have — the twenty-six letters of our alphabet. And yet, it’s enough. It’s enough for them to create worlds and characters and circumstances that can transport us and offer new ways of thinking, understanding, and caring for our fellow humans.

4. Los Angeles is pretty incredible. Think about how many bookstores (both independent and big-chain) are located in and around L.A. (While this Lit Crawl focused on thirteen indie bookstores, there are many more independent bookstores in L.A. If you’re feeling inspired to visit one/a few/many of these bookstore, check out this post I wrote for MomsLA.com — “32 Awesome Independent Bookstores in Los Angeles.” Keep in mind, the post was updated a year ago, so be sure to check that all the information is still accurate before heading over to visit any of the stores on this list.)

5. I have bought a lot of books. And not just during these two days. I think it really started back in 2022, when I participated in the #22in22 challenge. (You can read about that initiative here.) Four years ago, I visited 22 bookstores and bought more than 22 books. Since then, my book-buying hasn’t stopped, even though the amount of time I spend reading does vary depending on what is going on in my life. But that’s okay. Because when it’s time for me to pick out a book to read, I have many options to choose from. So many options, in fact, that they don’t all fit on shelves. Or the plastic bin I use as additional storage. Or the tote bag I use for another source of additional storage. In fact, now I have piles on the floor adjacent to my bookshelves, my plastic bin, and my tote bag. When it’s time to select the next book I’m going to read, it’s almost as if I get to “shop” from my own mini-indie bookshop.

6. Sometimes you have to give yourself permission to stop doing certain things so you can start doing other things. The Book Crawl was a significant time commitment. Participating meant I wasn’t home to work on my posts for MomsLA or to tend to my garden, like I would have ordinarily. And it’s okay. It’s actually more-than-okay to change things up, to do things not because I’m trying to be productive and get important things done, but simply because I want to do these things. I want to have these particular experiences.

7. Pain is just a fact of life for me. So I knew standing in long lines, sitting in a car for an extended period of time, getting in and out of the car multiple times each day would all contribute to my overall levels of pain. Being ill for sixteen years has taught me that I can’t wait to feel better to do certain things. Feeling better isn’t a guarantee – ever. That means I have to weigh the possible negative side effects with the potential good. Sometimes what is good for my mental health may not be great for my physical health. That’s when “stubborn gladness” comes in. (You can click here to read my blog post from several years ago that explains this phrase and its relevance to my life.)

Another photo of my purchases. It's easier to see my new bookmarks in this picture.

Los Angeles-area friends, did any of you participate in the Indie Book Crawl? If you did, I’d love to know about your experience. What stood out for you?

If the Book Crawl becomes an annual event, do you think you’ll participate next year? (I know I want to!)

Be sure to check out my Instagram for more photos from my two, very bookish days!


Analog or Nothing

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

A few weeks ago, I had a hard/frustrating/exasperating day.

You know – one of those days that feels like the laws of physics should make it impossible for so many events to happen in such a short span of time. Without going into details, I’ll just say there was lots to do (too much to even attempt in one day); multiple phone calls, texts, and emails (mostly from my son’s school and the school district in general); drivers that must have forgotten how to properly behave at a four-way stop sign; and pain that made me bite my lip, ball up my fists, and rub my leg in a pointless attempt at alleviating just a little bit of the invisible vice around my left calf.

But before all that, I had a couple of hours where I felt like I was in a magical, in-between space — where reality didn’t fully exist in this sacred space and where I could escape much of the outside world. 

Where was this “magical, in-between space”?

A neighborhood independent bookstore.

I went to this bookstore with plans to read, and write, and browse, and shop. 

While I have visited this bookstore many times for different reasons (celebrating a book launch, meeting an author, participating in a writing group, getting coffee and chatting with a friend), I had never visited the bookstore’s in-store cafe for some dedicated writing time. And the idea of some Wendy-writing-time away from a ringing phone, or sounds of the neighbor’s back door slamming, or the incessant barking of a different neighbor’s dog, sounded blissful. 

However, my writing time didn’t go quite as I had planned, because there wasn’t enough writing space for me. Although this bookstore has an in-store cafe, some of the tables are designated as “no laptop zones,” encouraging analog activities such as reading and socializing. 

In case you don’t know, I am an analog person. I have old-fashioned clocks at home, a small red boombox in my kitchen (it plays CDs and the radio), a monthly/weekly organizer on my desk, handwritten lists when I go grocery shopping — you get the idea. 

On the other hand, I use my computer every day. I’m almost always working on a piece of writing, and my MomsLA.com work requires internet access. And, on this particular morning, I had planned on working on my upcoming Substack post. (If you haven’t yet signed up, you can check out any of my Substack posts you may have missed and sign up here so you won’t miss any future posts.) 

So while I was at the bookstore with my cafe mocha and unable to use my laptop, I read a book. I jotted down ideas for a new personal essay. I read some more. 

And before I left, I bought a book. 

While I enjoyed the escape this bookstore offered, I admit I felt a bit overwhelmed when I got home and spent the rest of the day trying to “catch up” and get work done. 

I understand bookstores and cafes don’t want one customer to sit and occupy a table for hours. These small businesses need a steady stream of paying customers coming in throughout the day. 

But, I also needed an out-of-the-house spot to get some work done. 

Friends, have you had any similar experiences where you couldn’t use your technology? What do you think of no-laptop zones? 

The #22in22 Initiative

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

Since this is my first post in 2022, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about the #22in22 Initiative started by Zibby Books.

Here’s what you need to know:

The idea behind #22in22 is to visit 22 bookstores in 2022. Physically visit (if you’re able) twenty-two bookstores. This can be twenty-two different bookstores, or maybe you just visit your top three bookstores multiple times this year.

Your visits are a way to support bookstores and books. And by extension, you’re supporting authors and booksellers and everyone who works to get books on shelves.

You can sign up at https://www.22in22.net (it’s super easy), and each time you visit a bookstore, return to the website to log your visits. There are different incentives you can earn along the way. But really you’re doing it for yourself (because a visit to a bookstore is a great way to spend part of a day) and the larger book community.

The #22in22 Initiative started on Small Business Saturday, so I got a head start and have logged two visits so far:

Village Well Books and Coffee

and

My local Barnes and Noble

Let’s get reading!!! 

Here’s to a healthy, safe, peaceful, book-filled new year!