Reading Between the Lines

Those kids in school, the ones who always had their nose in a book—skilled at walking while reading, never looking up or bumping a corner—well, they grew up. One half of them are rocket scientists, but the remaining ones were fortunate enough to become independent bookstore owners.

Living a life of bliss, they now spend their days, not going to work, but rather following a passion. Ordering books is not a chore for them, but a joy, and more often than not, a few personal book choices are included with each shipment. Holding multiple intellectual conversations a day keeps these people inspired and open minded, and if business is a little slow, they’re not bored because reading is a favorite past time, and there’s certainly no shortage of material.

“I feel like the luckiest person in the world,” said Susan Ryan of River Reader in Guerneville. But customers are the real beneficiaries of independent bookstore owners. More often than not, it isn’t just books, that are being offered for sale, but other helpful services and events that go with the territory of feeding the public’s thirst for knowledge.

Holding events is one of the many highlights of Ryan’s job, and it’s an area of the business that she would like to expand in the future. Every month, the small bookstore hosts a Poetry Circle led by Sonoma County Poet Laureate, Mike Tuggle. As many as 50 people show up at the bookstore for this evening event and others that often feature refreshments and author signings.

During the week, a steady population of locals visits the small book boutique. “This is a very wonderful, supportive community [that] orders books from me instead of Amazon,” said Ryan. Partnering with local schools to meet their book needs offers Ryan not only personal satisfaction but also supports her business. She participates in a local library writing contest and fundraisers for the neighborhood school’s Book Fund—all activities that build the next generation of readers and authors.

Purchasing books on a regular basis can get pricey for schools and individuals, but there are ways to get around that. “I order a lot of paperback books for kids, which keeps the price down,” said Ryan. About 30 book orders a month helps keep the business afloat in the small town located on the Russian River.

Tourists and weekenders passing through often stop in to pick up a good book while on vacation. “I keep a strong local history and California Literature section for those from out of town,” explained Ryan. She also maintains a well-stocked Science and Nature department, a popular subject area with both locals and out-of-town visitors. An Art and Architecture department is another focal point of the bookstore, and it’s a self-serving perk that works financially. “It’s an interest of mine and seems to capture the attention of others as well,” said Ryan.

Most independent bookstore owners would agree that service and selection is what sets them apart from the larger chains. “I go out of my way to find a book for someone. I enjoy doing the research,” said Ryan. But a variety of books and more diverse subject matter is often also the case with these bookstores.

“It’s a voice for people that might not otherwise be heard,” explained Ryan who supports Project Censored, a nonprofit that covers the most underreported stories in the major media, producing an annual book of findings. She’s also a fan of the American Library Association’s 100 Banned Books. These are books that were challenged, receiving formal written requests for removal from library or classroom because of an objection to the book’s content, but still remain on the shelf despite the attempts.

Thus one could argue that small bookstores like River Reader are doing way more than just selling books and catering to the intellectual interests of the public. They’re  actually preserving democracy and standing up for First Amendment rights by helping to provide free and open access to information.

Perhaps the most well-known and largest independent bookstore in Sonoma County is Copperfield’s, with locations in Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Santa Rosa and Petaluma. But Copperfield’s started out very small in 1981 when Barney Brown and Paul Jaffe opened the first one in downtown Sebastopol.

Their intent was to share their love of books with the public, providing a much needed full-service bookstore. Not only did Brown and Jaffe provide a place to purchase a new book or magazine, they made it comfortable, with chairs and stools at the end of shelves so that customers could linger a while in their favorite section of the bookstore. The Copperfield’s in Healdsburg even has a café inside, providing a perfect place for neighbors, friends or book clubs to meet.

Gradually over the years, Copperfield’s matured into not only a bookstore but also a valuable resource for writers and readers. Today, it’s a vibrant gathering place for notable authors to meet their readers in an intimate setting to discuss literature and ideas. But Copperfield’s also caters to first-time authors, with a program that allows them to share their work in a non-threatening environment.

“Independent bookstores attract a lot of people that cross fertilize each other,” said author Phyllis Theroux, who recently visited Copperfield's in Healdsburg to discuss her new book, The Journal Keeper.

As a writer, independent bookstores hold a special place in her heart, not only because they wrapped their arms around her first book, but because she loves the comfort and the vibe that a good independent bookstore provides. “For a lot of people this is the third place they go; home, work, bookstore, and many independent bookstores understand their role,” explained Theroux. “Going into a bookstore should feel like going into a family living room,” she said.
 
“It’s nice to go into those bookstores and be able to give something back. It’s a very fruitful exchange and satisfying to have direct contact with your readers, to be able to look in their eyes,” said Theroux.

Dean Winegarner of Pages Books in Windsor is another independent bookstore owner living her American dream for almost seven years now. “I love books and the public and combining the two,” said Winegarner.

The store, located in historic downtown Windsor on the Green, features a large children’s section and cooking collection. The Fiction and Children’s departments are the most popular and the community, like that of Guerneville, is also very supportive of their neighborhood bookstore.

“It’s very satisfying to work in a small store and get to know the people who come in,” said Winegarner. “And just who you know can come in handy, even when it comes to books. If a customer finds an author that they like and wants to order an entire series, I’m more than happy to do that, allowing the individual to buy each book at their own pace, while holding the others,” explained Winegarner.  “I value the interaction with customers and I like to help them find a book that fits their interest,” she added.

Mother-and-son team Aaron Rosewater and Adele Levin have been in the book business together for 19 years, and they, too, are still loving it. A large fiction section is the backbone of Levin & Co. Bookstore located on the Healdsburg Plaza. Consistently stocking the classics and a separate children’s room are two reasons why people keep coming back. Local tourists from the Bay Area and Sacramento visit the store on a regular basis. “We have books they can’t find at home,” explained Rosewater who specializes in maintaining a deep backlist, titles that may not be new, but remain popular years after initial release.

Levin and Rosewater know their books and are serious about it. They do not carry soaps, games or toys in their store, just books and music. “People say we are what bookstores used to be like,” said Rosewater.

Let’s hope that succeeding generations keep producing those well-read bookworms who’ll keep the tradition of independent bookstores alive and well-patronized.

[ RESOURCES ]
Independently Minded
(Area codes 707)

Copperfield’s-Sebastopol
138 N. Main St.
Sebastopol; 823-2618
copperfieldsbooks.com

Copperfield’s-Healdsburg
104 Matheson St.
Healdsburg: 433-9270

Levin & Company
306 Center St.
Healdsburg; 433-1118

Pages Books on the Green
920 McClelland Dr.
Windsor; 837-8665

River Reader
16355 Main St.
Guerneville; 869-2240