Once upon a time—that catchphrase from childhood. But doesn’t it always have a way of sneaking into our brains and wooing us, no matter how old we are? Six, sixteen, sixty, and beyond—where will that simple phrase lead us? To La Mancha with Don Quixote in Cervantes’ classic tale? Or Navarre with Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorsen in Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing? Whether we read the classics, mysteries, or modern romantasy, “once upon a time,” even if unstated, inevitably draws us inward, outward, or onward.
As Lewis Buzbee mentions in The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop, we are “alone together” when we read. We are together with other worldwide readers of the same book, even though each person reads in solitude. We are together with our new-found, or familiar, literary friends. No longer are they just figments of the author’s imagination or just black marks on a page or screen. From the pages of well-written books, the characters stroll into our space and enact their lives in our imagination. Sometimes, we can literally see them—almost.
Beloved Bookshops
In this enjoyable memoir, Buzbee gives a brief history of the book trade and booksellers through history. He then guides us on a trip to his favorite bookstores-ones at which he worked and ones he’s visited as a sales representative. Even those he’s visited as a bibliophile in search of a good book to read. Buzbee never met a bookstore he didn’t like. One can almost see him slowly strolling down the aisles with a few books under his arm. Anything from a new release to a book he’s always wanted and just found on the “remainders” table. Or see him sitting in the café, if the shop has one, and thoroughly enjoying his finds while sipping coffee.
I’ve read The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop three times, now. I’ve savored it immensely each time I’ve read it. For me at least, it doesn’t get stale with rereading.
The Yellow-Lighted Bookstore
by Lewis Buzbee
© 2006
Greywolf Press