Last weekend, I spent Saturday and part of Sunday in Austin for the Writers' League of Texas's annual Agents & Editors Conference. I'll write about that next Monday and Tuesday. Today's post is all about Book People.
I had heard that Book People is an amazing indie bookstore, and that they hold great author events. So I thought, Hey, might as well check it out while I'm here. And I began to think of it as a pilgrimage, with wonders and delights in store for the conference-weary traveler. So as soon as I was finished on Sunday (like, as soon as the comics panelists said, "Thanks for coming"), I was out of the Sheraton like a woman on a holy mission.
I found the store at 603 N Lamar (the same place you can find them, by the way). It's a credit to Book People's magnetic draw that I barely glanced at the REI next door. A former gear junkie, I was all, "Who needs lightweight backpacking gear when there are books? And books? Also, books."
And Book People didn't disappoint. Except they totally didn't have the one book I was looking for, but that's OK. I had too much fun looking at their displays to care.
The cooking section features an old gas range and oven with food books on top. Two walls had great collage displays for about a gazillion book clubs that meet at the store. The kids' section had a big papier-maché-ish sign that just said GROSS, fronted by all kinds of cool books about body functions.
Seriously. Boogers and farts -- what's not to love?!
Anyhoo, once I'd trolled every section (including an incense section -- har! -- oh, Austin), I got down to business looking for Suzanne Collins' HUNGER GAMES. Alas, after a thorough search and inquiry, I learned it was on order. The gal helping me -- Events Coordinator Mandy Brooks, turns out -- offered to put one on hold for me.
I opted instead for Kristin Cashore's GRACELING, even though it was only available in hardcover. Yikes, the paper! And it's heavy. And my eyes, they have trouble wrapping from one line to the next. But I loved my visit to Book People so much I had to support what they're doing -- which is being original and creative and helpful and generally awesome.
Rock on, Book People.
If you'd like to order from the store, click on the book links above. You can also follow the store on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, or friend it on MySpace. And here's their blog.
At any rate, stop by next time you're in Austin. Good times await you.
[photo via Big Bad Book Blog]
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