Such a delight to learn about this bookshop. One of my very favorite bookshops is a feminist bookstore in Tucson that's managed to still keep going when so many haven't. I had the chance to interview the current owners recently which was wonderful: https://www.narratively.com/p/an-old-feminist-bookstore-is-still-a-safe-space
I mostly use the library - more because I don't want to add physical books to my space than because of cost although finances are a factor at times. But I try to periodically buy new books at local bookstores and when I'm done reading them put them into a Little Free Library for someone else to discover.
love this!! have you read The Feminist Bookstore Movement by Kristen Hogan? it's a more academic text but there's sooo much cool info on the history of intersectional feminist bookstores of the 70s/80s/90s. also A Place of Our Own by June Thomas has a great chapter on feminist bookstores and the way they helped bring queer women together! i'm actually in the process of opening a bookstore so this topic has been on my mind 24/7 hahaha
I haven't read either of those books! Thank you for the recommendations. Omg, how cool that you are opening a bookshop💙 📚 that is literally my dream! Is it going to have a theme or a general indie store? Would love to know. We have a local lgbtq+ & feminist bookstore opened and they host some cool events 💕
LGBTQ+ & feminist is exactly what i’m going for haha! it’s called the bohemian bookshop, so also goin for a lil hippie vibe. i’ve been super picky about our selection so far lol, we’ve been doing pop-up shops while we look for a retail space and i’m only stocking books i’m passionate about, plus zines & tarot cards by independent artists. trying to be as far away from a boring chain store as possible lmao.
but yeah if you’re into feminist bookstores and even just bookstores in general, those two books are amaaaazing. the radical bookstore by kimberly kinder is also sooo inspiring!
I try to spread my book purchases between independent shops and second hand where possible alongside using the library but the temptation of brand new cheap books delivered the next day can be so hard to resist, although resist we must!
While I am pleased that bigger, mainstream bookstores are carrying more books by women and diverse writers these days, I miss the intimacy and feeling of subversion that entering and browsing in a small feminist or other “specialized” bookstore gave me back when those were the places to find such writers. The capitalist conundrum seeps into all of the cracks.
Thanks for your comment, Amy. Yes, I think its a bit of a conundrum really; you want women writer’s work to be more accessible, but that can ultimately mean the smaller presses and independents lose out.
What a lovely piece, Kate. Sorry to hear about the shop’s end though. Sadly, we lost our local independent bookshop about twenty years or so ago. It was a lovely small shop run by a family friend. He sadly passed away and is buried with a book shaped headstone. On a much lighter note, I love the name of your local shop, Novel :)
Really enjoyed your article. A similar bookstore appeared in Toronto a little earlier (the 70’s) called simply Toronto Women’s Bookstore. It was beside an abortion clinic that was fire-bombed (keying, that came out “ire-bombed”. Not entirely wrong). It managed like a phoenix to rise again in a new location where I was a frequent customer. It was responsible for introducing me to the many voices in women’s literature both current and past, and had a great section on women’s spirituality. Pamphlets from all sorts of women’s groups or support activities were available. I moved away before it too closed, the phoenix unable to defeat the raptors of online booksellers. My books now come as library ebooks, purchased ebooks (I put a price ceiling on these), used books because many are unavailable as ebooks and sometimes not in libraries or bookstore and as a last resort purchased new from online booksellers. When I had the means I purchased hardcovers and new books now are the core of my gift requests. When traveling I stop in at used bookstores and come hone with someone new to read, particularly when regional authors are on offer.
Thank you for sharing that history, Pamela. There must have been such a need for these kinds of bookstores during the women's movement and I bet it was such a great experience to visit your local one. Gift requests are a great idea for receiving new books, I also do this. I don't think there is any better gift to give or receive than a book!
Another lovely piece Kate. I’ve added the book to my “to be borrowed from the library list”! I borrow as much as I can from the library. Like you I have financial constraints, and concerns about the environment, amongst other reasons. I think libraries purchase from a wholesaler but authors can sign up to a scheme where they receive some money if their books are borrowed.
Thanks, Sue! I think you would have enjoyed the off the shelf event, Jane was very inspiring. Yes, I think you're right thinking that authors get some payment for library loans. Myself and my family have always used the local libraries, I think we're very lucky to have them.
Like you, I usually buy second hand (also our village has a book swap in the old telephone box) - but when I do find myself in a lovely independent bookshop I happily give myself carte Blanche to splash out on something new!
Nice! We have a shop with a similar history in my town, Antigone Books. It has since become more generalist but the selection is still carefully curated to be inclusive and when the original owners recently sold it, it was purchased by three employees, women/LGBTQ+, with some crowdfunding help from the community.
I'm lucky to live in a place where there is a fabulous independent bookshop a ten minute walk away, and an even larger one in the neighbouring town; I often wonder why there is a Waterstone's there as well, although (confession) I have bought books from there occasionally.
I did wonder why they would stock audio books for the hearing impaired - this seems counter intuitive.
Visually impaired...doh! It's been a long week...I've corrected it now- thanks for the heads up!
Yes, I think it's really lucky when we can access independent shops in our local area, and I know many people don't have access to these. I also like to browse and occasionally buy in Waterstones, and tbf, I have found that the staff are always really enthusiastic booksellers.
Such a delight to learn about this bookshop. One of my very favorite bookshops is a feminist bookstore in Tucson that's managed to still keep going when so many haven't. I had the chance to interview the current owners recently which was wonderful: https://www.narratively.com/p/an-old-feminist-bookstore-is-still-a-safe-space
I mostly use the library - more because I don't want to add physical books to my space than because of cost although finances are a factor at times. But I try to periodically buy new books at local bookstores and when I'm done reading them put them into a Little Free Library for someone else to discover.
That sounds like a really mindful way to both buy and borrow books!
love this!! have you read The Feminist Bookstore Movement by Kristen Hogan? it's a more academic text but there's sooo much cool info on the history of intersectional feminist bookstores of the 70s/80s/90s. also A Place of Our Own by June Thomas has a great chapter on feminist bookstores and the way they helped bring queer women together! i'm actually in the process of opening a bookstore so this topic has been on my mind 24/7 hahaha
I haven't read either of those books! Thank you for the recommendations. Omg, how cool that you are opening a bookshop💙 📚 that is literally my dream! Is it going to have a theme or a general indie store? Would love to know. We have a local lgbtq+ & feminist bookstore opened and they host some cool events 💕
LGBTQ+ & feminist is exactly what i’m going for haha! it’s called the bohemian bookshop, so also goin for a lil hippie vibe. i’ve been super picky about our selection so far lol, we’ve been doing pop-up shops while we look for a retail space and i’m only stocking books i’m passionate about, plus zines & tarot cards by independent artists. trying to be as far away from a boring chain store as possible lmao.
but yeah if you’re into feminist bookstores and even just bookstores in general, those two books are amaaaazing. the radical bookstore by kimberly kinder is also sooo inspiring!
That all sounds amazing! My newest local indie bookstore started life as a pop-up and seems to be thriving, so good luck with it!
Such an interesting read, thank you.
I try to spread my book purchases between independent shops and second hand where possible alongside using the library but the temptation of brand new cheap books delivered the next day can be so hard to resist, although resist we must!
Thanks, Gina! Yes, I get that it's hard to resist too...we can only do our best 😀
While I am pleased that bigger, mainstream bookstores are carrying more books by women and diverse writers these days, I miss the intimacy and feeling of subversion that entering and browsing in a small feminist or other “specialized” bookstore gave me back when those were the places to find such writers. The capitalist conundrum seeps into all of the cracks.
Thanks for your comment, Amy. Yes, I think its a bit of a conundrum really; you want women writer’s work to be more accessible, but that can ultimately mean the smaller presses and independents lose out.
What a lovely piece, Kate. Sorry to hear about the shop’s end though. Sadly, we lost our local independent bookshop about twenty years or so ago. It was a lovely small shop run by a family friend. He sadly passed away and is buried with a book shaped headstone. On a much lighter note, I love the name of your local shop, Novel :)
Thanks, Victoria! Aw, that's so sad...
Yes, I agree on the name- can't wait to browse...📚
Really enjoyed your article. A similar bookstore appeared in Toronto a little earlier (the 70’s) called simply Toronto Women’s Bookstore. It was beside an abortion clinic that was fire-bombed (keying, that came out “ire-bombed”. Not entirely wrong). It managed like a phoenix to rise again in a new location where I was a frequent customer. It was responsible for introducing me to the many voices in women’s literature both current and past, and had a great section on women’s spirituality. Pamphlets from all sorts of women’s groups or support activities were available. I moved away before it too closed, the phoenix unable to defeat the raptors of online booksellers. My books now come as library ebooks, purchased ebooks (I put a price ceiling on these), used books because many are unavailable as ebooks and sometimes not in libraries or bookstore and as a last resort purchased new from online booksellers. When I had the means I purchased hardcovers and new books now are the core of my gift requests. When traveling I stop in at used bookstores and come hone with someone new to read, particularly when regional authors are on offer.
Thank you for sharing that history, Pamela. There must have been such a need for these kinds of bookstores during the women's movement and I bet it was such a great experience to visit your local one. Gift requests are a great idea for receiving new books, I also do this. I don't think there is any better gift to give or receive than a book!
Another lovely piece Kate. I’ve added the book to my “to be borrowed from the library list”! I borrow as much as I can from the library. Like you I have financial constraints, and concerns about the environment, amongst other reasons. I think libraries purchase from a wholesaler but authors can sign up to a scheme where they receive some money if their books are borrowed.
Thanks, Sue! I think you would have enjoyed the off the shelf event, Jane was very inspiring. Yes, I think you're right thinking that authors get some payment for library loans. Myself and my family have always used the local libraries, I think we're very lucky to have them.
Like you, I usually buy second hand (also our village has a book swap in the old telephone box) - but when I do find myself in a lovely independent bookshop I happily give myself carte Blanche to splash out on something new!
That sounds like a great compromise to me!
Such a great piece that shows how important independents are. I too love a second hand book and the library.
Second hand books are my favourite 😍
Nice! We have a shop with a similar history in my town, Antigone Books. It has since become more generalist but the selection is still carefully curated to be inclusive and when the original owners recently sold it, it was purchased by three employees, women/LGBTQ+, with some crowdfunding help from the community.
Thanks, Abra! That's great to hear; I love the name Antigone Books! It's great that the community got behind it.
I'm lucky to live in a place where there is a fabulous independent bookshop a ten minute walk away, and an even larger one in the neighbouring town; I often wonder why there is a Waterstone's there as well, although (confession) I have bought books from there occasionally.
I did wonder why they would stock audio books for the hearing impaired - this seems counter intuitive.
Visually impaired...doh! It's been a long week...I've corrected it now- thanks for the heads up!
Yes, I think it's really lucky when we can access independent shops in our local area, and I know many people don't have access to these. I also like to browse and occasionally buy in Waterstones, and tbf, I have found that the staff are always really enthusiastic booksellers.
I've just recently read this book. Loved it, although there are some really sad moments.
Thanks, Victoria. Yes...such a fascinating look at an exciting but difficult time.