This documentary of two California independent bookstores, Cody’s and Kepler’s, is a moving but ultimately saddening experience. Both bookstores find themselves struggling to survive in an era of big box stores and Internet booksellers like AMAZON and B&N. This film shows how Cody’s tries an expansion strategy that backfires. Kepler’s actually closed its doors causing the community to find the resources to keep the bookstore open. Anyone who loves bookstores will find this documentary absorbing–and disturbing. There’s plenty to think about when this film rolls its credits. PAPERBACK DREAMS was shown at BOUCHERCON and several PBS stations are currently airing it. The DVD will be available in December. Don’t miss it.
This is why I seldom by books on-line. I do like supporting local businesses, if possible.
Wish more people thought that way. I’ve lost four wonderful and useful independent bookstores in the last few years.
It’s the same here in Western New York, Drongo. We used to have dozens of bookstores, but now we’re just down to a struggling handful. It breaks my heart.
There’s a very sad and very true maxim: “You can make a small fortune with a used book store; providing you start out with a large fortune.”
I try to visit our local independent and used bookstores on a weekly basis, Deb. One used bookstore has stopped buying books…never a good sign.
There used to be a row of bookstores on lower Fourth Avenue in Manhattan, now sadly all long gone. Only the Strand survives in the area.
We had dozens of used bookstores in Buffalo, Jeff. All gone now. Those were the days…
Considered going to see it in Indy, but couldn’t bear it. Oh, brave new world.
PAPERBACK DREAMS is worth watching, Patti. The owners of the bookstores are hard-working and earnest, but working against the tide.
The used book stores in this area stopped buying used books years ago, only trading for store credit. So a lot of people stopped taking them books, and stopped going to them. Stocks got low (except for cookbooks, best sellers and such and there was no point in going any more. I asked one owner – the store now long out of business – where, since he didn’t get many books from customers any more, he did get his books. “Buy them by the box at the swap meet” was his reply. Sad days indeed
The Book Thing bookstore in Baltimore that gives books away FREE might be where we’re headed with this, Rick.
It makes me wonder where Barbara will go to dispose of my beloved book accumulation, when I go on to the great library in the sky.
I told Diane to contact Art Scott should I predecease her. He’ll know what to do with my collection.
On that theme, I heard today that Elliot Bay Books in Seattle might close. It’s been a landmark store for ages and would be worse than losing the Sonics.
Elliot Bay Books probably has the same business model that Cody’s and Kepler’s had, Bob. And it’s not working any more. PAPERBACK DREAMS shows what works today and what doesn’t for bookstores.