When I approached Mark Wessel in late 1992 with the idea of opening up a bookshop little did I know the profound effect it would have on my life and the impact it would have on the Seattle book community and beyond. Now some 20+ years after we opened the shop will close its doors. All good things come to an end. The end of the road for Wessel & Lieberman does not alter the fact that I remain bullish on books and bookshops. The wear and tear of nearly twenty years of running a bookshop in an urban core takes...
A bookstore gets a new cover
The new facade of the Pioneer Bookstore in Provo, Utah is all about the books. In less than a week a group of decorative artists transformed the dreary storefront into a welcoming entrance covered in books. oh and they also have a pretty cool counter inside - As to where the impetus for such a biblio-facade came from, look no further than this Kansas City Library: which then led to this jewel in the Ukraine: Previously on Book Patrol: From Kansas City with Love: Painted Library Facade Makes its Way to Russia The Book Wall at the Kansas City Public Library...
A beautiful bookshop in Brazil
The people of Brazil have something else to cheer about in addition the recent World Cup festivities. Check out the Livraria Cultura bookshop in São Paulo designed by Studio MK-27. The goal was to create a bookshop that doubled as a meeting place and as these images attest they seem to have done a fine job. The open well-light floor plan allows for a comfortable shopping experience as well as encouraging customers to hang around and enjoy the space. All photos by Fernando Guerra I FG+SG More images and background at ArchDaily: Cultura Bookstore / Studio MK27...
Bookstore Wedding Photos
Where else would Jonathan Smalter of Yesterday's Muse Books Shop in Webster, NY choose to get married then in his bookshop? For many of us it is as church as it gets. Jonathan and Kristen tied the knot earlier this month and have shared these wonderful photos. Congratulations! More Bookstore Wedding Photos.
Literally: The English Bookseller Captured
The series Literally by UK photographer Steve Kenward takes him inside the bookshops of England to capture the bookseller in their lair. He says of the project: Independent bookshops are great places to spend time in. These portraits are some of the lovely people who can help you find something special. You really can't beat the smell of fresh ink in a new hardback or the excitement on discovering a copy of that out of print classic. So next time you are passing a bookshop, pop in. You might be surprised what you find. I am glad he didn't call the project Endangered...