Good Book, Bad Book

 

This is Banned Books Week, sponsored by the American Library Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the National Association of College Stores. Is there really a need for such an event? The American Library Association thinks so. According to their records, more than 400 books were challenged in 2007, if not outright banned.

In this era when we seem to have little pieces of Constitutional Rights, including the First Amendment, nibbled away every day, campaigns such as Banned Book Week will hopefully remind us of why we can never become complacent. I'm reminded of founding father Stephen Hopkins and what he said during the Second Continental Congress--He’d never seen nor smelled any issue so dangerous it couldn't be talked about [or read about, for that matter].

The web official web site link above has suggestions on how to add your voice to the choir. But if you're just too worn out right now with the election and the financial meltdown in this country, then here's a lighter touch:  join the Haphazard Gourmet for her "Civilization is Cooked Without Books" slate, which pairs censored literature with recipes, for the BBW.

And now for some good (bookstore) news: Sherlock's Tomes of, Bridgeton, N.J., is moving into a 500-sq.-ft. space in a former dining room of the Beatles-themed restaurant S.R. Riley's Musical Cafe. Co-owner Linda Durkin Richardson, said, "We're hoping this will be the kick that's needed for S.R. Riley's and for Sherlock's. And we won't have to walk so far for lunch." Richardson and fellow owner Jim Chiappardi had been looking for a new site for the store since the building in which it operates was sold in June, and they'd also wanted more space to host more book clubs and perhaps a writers' group.

Alas, where there is good news, there is usually bad news. Olsson's Books & Records has closed its remaining five stores in Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia because of "stagnant sales, low cash reserves, and an inability to renegotiate current leases, along with a continuing weak retail economy and plummeting music sales," the company announced. The independent chain was founded in 1972 and grew to nine stores in the Washington metropolitan area at one point. Founder and principal owner John Olsson said: "Although it is certainly a sad day for us, I can rejoice in all the great memories of my life in retail in Washington...It was exhilarating. Through it all, our best and brightest served Washington's best and brightest with love and distinction. I'm very proud of what we accomplished. My love and gratitude to all my employees, and special thanks to all those thousands of loyal customers."

Since I was one of the customers, I can add my voice to the rest and say that Olsson's will most certainly be missed.