Where in the World Are You Reading, a new monthly meme hosted by Trish, Kelly, and Lisa, kicks off this month with a local bookstore theme. For me, local is a relative term. The nearest Barnes & Noble is 30 minutes away, but I can also drive 30 minutes in the opposite direction to the Colgate Bookstore in Hamilton, NY (run by Colgate University). Barnes & Noble is much more convenient, but I love my trips to Hamilton - especially on a summer Saturday when we combine a visit to the Farmers Market with bookstore browsing and lunch!
The Colgate Bookstore is in the heart of the village.
I've always loved this pointing finger directing customers to the store.
The interior is open and airy.
Meeting rooms and college gear are upstairs, textbooks are downstairs.
I could spend hours wandering around the first floor.
Comfortable chairs are scattered throughout the store.
From author events to book clubs, there is always something happening at the Colgate Bookstore. There is a Jane Austen book club, a book-to-film discussion series, a women's book club (with mostly literary fiction selections), and more. I'm still kicking myself over missing an evening with Lauren Groff last month.
The deadline for bookstore posts was actually July 26th. I somehow thought it was the end of the month. Sorry, Trish... my August "library" post will be on time.
Links to more local bookstore posts can be found here, click over to Trish's round-up post.
Alyce from At Home With Books
Find details and more photos here.
Oohh that looks like a piece of heaven! I love the old wooden floors and brick walls *sigh*
ReplyDeleteTrish - You are amazing! How did you get here before I even posted my link!! Sorry I missed the deadline...
DeleteI love old bookstores like this. The smell alone is enough to sustain me. Here's Mine
ReplyDeletePaulita - I know what you mean - I could spend hours here!
DeleteThe end of the month would make more sense! We wanted a set day of the week (Thursday) for OUR posts, but you can certainly link up at any time. This looks like a terrific bookstore and kinda makes me want to go wander through a college bookstore. Does it have a section of college sweatshirts?
ReplyDeleteLisa - Yes, the upstairs is full of sweatshirts, t-shirts, and all sorts of college gear. Thanks for coming up with such a great meme!
DeleteI have bookstore envy! I'd love to spend a couple of hours browsing there - I'm sure my TBR stack would be taller by the time I left.
ReplyDeleteLisa May - This is my favorite place to browse! I never seem to leave empty-handed.
DeleteGreat shots, and I love the look of the Colgate Bookstore. What a nice break from the chain stores. Thanks for sharing...and here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain Snow - They really did an excellent job renovating this old building. It's perfect for a bookstore.
DeleteI've always envy those who live in an area where there are colleges and universities abound... within short driving distance. New England comes to mind. This is one character bookstore. I'd choose this over B&N anytime. BTW, I just might have a chance to visit New England later this fall.
ReplyDeleteArti - Fall in New England is absolutely beautiful. A few of us have talked about meeting at Edith Wharton's home at The Mount - it would be wonderful if you could join us! (No firm date, etc. yet) There are also several sites in the Boston area I'm just waiting for an excuse to visit!
DeleteI'm so glad you were able to squeeze in this post because your bookstore is adorable!! When you mentioned University bookstore I envisioned the ones that I've been to that are basically warehouses for the assigned reading. Secretly I still like to browse the shelves to see what the literature classes are assigning but I don't go out of my way to get there. This is awesome, though! And I love those old fashioned pointing fingers. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteTrish - Even though I was never an English/Lit major, I love to see what texts are on the reading lists! This is pretty unusual for a university bookstore... such an asset to the community, too.
DeleteWhat great pictures! I am glad you decided to join in. Another bookstore I want to visit at some point!
ReplyDeleteKailana - Thanks! I've found quite a few bookstores to put on my 'places to visit' list through this meme. Glad you all came up with the idea :-)
DeleteWhat a lovely and inviting bookstore! I've had the same experience with university bookstores as Trish - simply warehouses for required texts.
ReplyDeleteTerri B. - I've definitely been spoiled when it comes to university bookstores - no warehouse-like structures around here!
DeleteWhat a GORGEOUS bookstore. I love it. I too, could wander around in it for hours, for sure. I'm on my way to a vacation in Victoria B.C., where I'll be visiting two of my favorite bookstores in Canada, Munro Books [owned by the husband of writer Alice Munro] and Russell Books [literally miles of reduced-price books]. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThese are great pics.
Cipriano - I'm sure you'll have a wonderful trip! Have always wanted to visit B.C.... perhaps one day. Had no idea Alice Munro's husband had a bookstore and Russell Books sounds like a treasure, too. Enjoy!!
DeleteOh man, I love the look of this store. I would opt for them every time I felt like driving. Unfortunately in Orlando we got nuttin. Indies wither and die here. I don't know why...are Orlandoans that shallow?
ReplyDeleteSandy - If I'm alone for the drive, it gives me an hour of audiobook time too! I've figured out all the angles ;-)
DeleteWhat a fabulous bookshop, and look at all that space! I volunteer in an Oxfam bookshop, and it is really tiny. My Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/5WXI0
ReplyDeleteChristine Harding - We're very fortunate to live near such an excellent independent bookstore!
DeleteOh, how lovely! It looks much bigger inside than out.
ReplyDeleteAmy - The exterior is very deceiving... there is SO much space inside. It's a great place to spend an hour or two!
DeleteThose comfy chairs look so inviting, what a wonderful bookstore.
ReplyDeleteLeslie - Those chairs always look so new and clean, too... they must replace them fairly often!
DeleteI love that big finger on the side of the store too. What a lovely bookstore!
ReplyDeleteKathy - That finger definitely catches your attention, lol!
DeleteNow that is the sort of bookstore I wish was close to here. Love the finger on the wall. Thanks for sharing, JoAnn!
ReplyDeleteDS - It's such a vibrant, welcoming bookstore. I love it!
DeleteI love those kinds of bookstores. Looks absolutely lovely.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eva. It's a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.
DeleteI'd love to have one of those globes! Lovely bookstore, I can see why you like to visit.
ReplyDeleteKaye - Isn't that a great globe? I think my husband wants one, too.
DeleteLooks like a lovely place to browse for a very long time...
ReplyDeleteMarveloustales - Oh, it definitely is!
DeleteWhat a wonderful place. I love the chairs and that globe. All the book groups sound great. You're lucky to live so close.
ReplyDeleteNan - There is a wonderful old theater across the street, too... perfect for the book-to-film club screenings!
DeleteAre you part of this group? Just so much fun!
DeleteNan - I'm not a member of that group, but I keep an eye on their themes and selections. The book club I belong to likes to do book/film combos every so often, so it gives me some great ideas.
DeleteOoh, I can almost smell the book bindings. Nice photos♫♪
ReplyDeleteLmkazmierczak - Bookstores so have the most wonderful smell! Glad you liked the photos.
DeleteWhat a beautiful store!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a very hospital bookstore. Your photos capture the spirit.
ReplyDeletethis looks like an amazing place to visit.
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous store, worth the drive I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThis has to be one of my favourite memes! Your bookstore looks fantastic and so welcoming.
ReplyDeleteLi
Li - Isn't this a great meme?! Can't wait to see the libraries featured in August.
DeleteI love the idea of this photoshare! One never knows when one will be in need of a good book and in the Hamilton vicinity! Love to go to smaller local bookstores!
ReplyDeleteSusan Lindquist - This is definitely worth a visit if you ever find yourself near Hamilton!
DeleteI would pick this bookstore over a B&N any day!! I love the whole comfy feel and all those different book clubs makes me wish I lived next door!
ReplyDeleteStaci - Oh, so would I! Too bad I have no reason (besides the best Farmers Market) to travel there. Literally everything I need to do is in the opposite direction... *sigh*
DeleteThat looks like a lovely place to spend an entire day browsing!
ReplyDeleteAlyce - It is SO easy to lose track of time there!
DeleteGorgeous bookstore! I love the brick and hardwood floors. It reminds me a little bit of The Tattered Cover in Denver.
ReplyDeleteI was going to partake in this meme, but time got away from me. :(
Les - Someday I will visit The Tattered Cover! The brick and hardwood gives the Colgate Bookstore such a homey feel. This month's meme features libraries... need to get over there with my camera before time rune out.
DeleteThat's a gorgeous indie bookstore. I used to own the local bookstore here in my little city. Right on Main Street. I sold my store and sadly, the new owners were unable to make a go of it. No more local bookstore for this community.
ReplyDeleteLee - It sure is hard for indie bookstores to survive these days... so sad. I didn't know you used to own a bookstore - what fun!
Delete