Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Bookstores, Bookstores, Bookstores


I was looking for a book meme to answer today, it being a rainy day and all. But I couldn't find one I haven't already answered, so I decided to make up my own. I'm not tagging anyone specific, but if you want to answer these questions on your blog I'd love to read the post!

Bookstores, Bookstores, Bookstores


What's your favorite bookstore?
Impossible to choose. Locally I love the Harvard Book Store and Porter Square Books, two great indies.

Have you ever traveled out of state or out of the country, just to visit a particular bookstore?
Yes, I took the train to New York to visit a friend who planned to take me to the Strand, an amazing bookstore in Manhattan.

Have you ever gone on a date to a bookstore? Would you consider a bookstore to be a romantic place?
I have gone on many dates to bookstores, whether to go to readings or just to browse. There's so much fodder for conversation as you browse the aisles and stacks, and since smart is sexy, what's more romantic than that?

What's the latest you've stayed out at night at a bookstore?
I've spent many a late night at the Harvard Book Store and stayed until it closing (usually around 11 pm) on several occasions.

Do you like to go with friends or by yourself?
Either way. I love to book-shop with friends, especially those with different tastes, but I like to browse by myself too. Book shopping can be a great social activity but as an introvert I usually wander off by myself anyway!

What would your dream bookstore be like?
My dream bookstore would be devoted to fiction, travel, cooking and crafts, and would feature a carefully edited selection of classics and unusual titles- titles I couldn't find other places. The employees would not be surly college students (the norm in this college town) but skilled service professionals who would provide great suggestions and intelligent booktalking. There would be a cafe serving delicious coffee, chocolate chip cookies and croissants with comfortable chairs for everyone.

What's your favorite specialty bookstore and what does it specialize in?
My favorite specialty bookstore was New Words, a women's bookstore that closed several years ago, and now is probably Grolier Books, which is all-poetry. It's a little hole-in-the-wall owned by a Wellesley College professor which stocks poetry from all over the world. It's an amazing little gem of a shop.

Have you ever worked at a bookstore or wanted to? Do people ever mistake you for a bookstore employee and ask you questions as you browse?
I have never worked in a bookstore but always wanted to. Yes, sometimes other customers ask me questions in bookstores. Awkward!

Do you like bookstore cafes? Would you consider a bookstore a social destination as opposed to strictly a retail destination?
I like bookstore cafes as long as they have good chocolate chip cookies and there is a place for me to sit and read while I eat them.

What's the silliest thing you've ever done in a bookstore? Ever been kicked out of one?
My friend Jean and I used to make fun of very specialized poetry anthologies. I did get kicked out of a bookstore once, but I'm not going to tell you why!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a great meme! I'm going to have to steal this one!I wish there was a bookstore like Grolier Books out here.

Vasilly

Brandy said...

"I did get kicked out of a bookstore once, but I'm not going to tell you why!"

You know there's no surer way to make people ask questions, right? :) Be careful, I may have to invent my own story and just tell everyone it really happened to you!

bermudaonion said...

Now you've got us dying to know what you did to get kicked out!

Marie Cloutier said...

Brandy, Bermuda/Kathy- yeah, I guess that last comment was a little provocative!:-)

The Tome Traveller said...

Marie-got such a kick out of seeing the photo of you and the rest of the Boston tweetup gang in SA today!

Carey

Marie Cloutier said...

Carey- *blush* yeah, it was great to see it in SA today! and despite what the caption says, I do in fact have a last name! Or maybe I should emulate Prince and just drop it! :-)

Tasha said...

What a great meme! I enjoyed reading your answers. I try not to post anything other than reviews on my blog, but I think I might just have to answer these questions for myself!

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks said...

was New Words in a converted house off a main street (can't remember which one, past the square from my end?) How long ago did it close? Clearly it's been a while since I've been there!

Marie Cloutier said...

Dawn, yes, it was on Hampshire or Prospect Street off of Central Square/Mass Ave, but like four or five blocks down from Mass Ave. It closed at least five years ago, probably longer. I forget exactly. I miss it though. I loved it in college.

Anonymous said...

I did your meme today, here: http://rhapsodyinbooks.wordpress.com/2009/06/11/bookstores-bookstores-bookstores/

Anonymous said...

Nice way to end a meme - leave us wanting to know more!