OK, it turns out the nearest independant bookstore is actually not that far from my house. It's a children's bookstore in Torrance. And there's another one, part of a supply house for entomologists, a block or so away from work in Gardena. There are about 10 independant bookstores within a 12-mile radius of my house, according to BookSense Independant Collective.
And the Long Beach standing has been bothering me. I just remembered that Long Beach has the biggest used bookstore I've ever seen, Acres of Books. And there's another one right next door to that. I haven't been to either of them recently, and I understand they're getting decrepit, but still ... those are two huge assets in the South Bay's favor.
Some of you might say, Brian, if you're so concerned, why haven't you been back to Acres of Books in 15 years? Why didn't you know where the nearest independent bookstore is? I've been going to Amazon, the chains and my local library over the last few years. So I really have no excuse. I'm going to visit the bookstores on that 12-mile radius list, and see if any of them are worth becoming regular haunts. Look for regular "bookstore reviews" here soon.
Maybe I'll even rename the site. What do you think of "#62 with a bullet"?
Posted by Brian at July 18, 2003 01:15 PM