DEBORAH CROMBIE: So Thanksgiving is over and all of a sudden it's almost December and time to Christmas shop and--EEEK--I have not found a single gift! The only thing I bought yesterday on Black Friday was some socks that I needed. How incredibly sad is that?
I have to admit I've never been one of those super organized people who shop all year and have everything tagged and wrapped by Thanksgiving (I do really, honestly have a good friend who does this) but most years by almost December I usually at least have a LIST.
But this year I am absolutely CLUELESS. I cannot even wrap my mind around it. And since I'm probably doing all my shopping online, there's really no excuse.
Not to mention that today is Small Business Saturday, and if we ever needed to support small businesses, it's this year.
And of course we all want to support our indy bookstores! Two of my faves are Murder by the Book in Houston, and The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale. They both have BOOKS, obviously, but Murder by the Book has all sorts of other gift-y goodies, like puzzles and mugs, t-shirts and socks, and both stores ship nation-wide.
Just thinking about this has inspired me enough that I may actually tackle a list today...
REDS and readers, have you started/finished holiday shopping? What super-duper gift ideas do you have for those of us who are struggling?
And please share with us your favorite independent bookstore, so that we can spread the love!
Well, I always ask everyone for a list of what they would like to have, consequently, the Christmas shopping is mostly finished except for a few odds and ends . . . I’m really good at buying, not so good at wrapping, so I always end up having to have a mammoth wrapping session at the very last minute . . . . I always buy books for the grandbabies along with whatever else is on their lists [LEGOs are popular this year] . . . .
ReplyDeleteAlas, our only independent bookshop closed several years ago, leaving us with no bookshop anywhere near us :(
Lots of indies ship, Joan, including the ones mentioned above. Also, Interabang Books in Dallas has a great children's book selection. www.interabangbooks
DeleteThanks . . . it's good to have a place to order from if there's not one to shop in person . . . .
DeleteI did order some good deals from Macy’s yesterday, and there were gifts included. I have some small items for daughter and son, and I’m pretty sure I know what I’m getting my husband. I know what my younger granddaughter wants, and I ordered a pretty wallet from Macy’s for the older granddaughter, which I will fill with cash and gift cards. I need to call and order son-in-law’s gift certificate from the fishing place he likes, plus order him a book. Everyone gets at lessons book. And, I think my daughter and son are going to want money. I have a few friends to buy for, and I’ve got that ordered or bought. I guess I’m doing okay on the gifts.
ReplyDeleteI do want to order from at least one independent bookstore today, probably Murder by the Book. I just received an order from another independent bookstore today, and it’s a new one for me. I think it’s The Book Cellar? I always give myself a book bag of books for Christmas, and I’m starting on it.
Kathy, I always give myself books for Christmas, too:-)
DeleteI have a book for each of my sons, and a locally made etched glass for one son and his wife. That's it. I am as clueless and panicked as you are, Debs!
ReplyDeleteJust keep writing more Country Store mysteries Edith. That's the only gift I need!
DeleteA third of the way through #10 now!
DeleteForgot the bookstore! Jabberwocky Books in Newburyport, MA. They have signed copies of my books, and they ship!
DeleteGreat idea, Edith! And I love Jabberwocky!
DeleteYou ladies are so organized! I'm with Debs in the haven't made a list yet category. Thank heaven for Prime delivery from Amazon!
ReplyDeleteFavorite indie bookstore? Bogle Books, Fort Kent Maine!
Bogan Books in Fort Kent, Maine - that'll teach me to dictate!
DeleteWhile it may seem impersonal we give our adult children triple AAA for their birthdays every year. No reason it wouldn't work for Christmas too. I usually give them a small gift to open as well and they favorite dinner & dessert. Doesn't sound exciting but it only takes once to appreciate someone coming to your rescue.
ReplyDeleteJude, I love AAA as a gift. We always give museum memberships to the Boston kids for Chanukah and it is the gift that lasts all year! I will think about AAA now, too. I wouldn't leave home without it!
DeleteJude, I renew the subscription to double A ( in Quebec it is AA but it offers same kinds of services as your AAA) for my daughter at Christmas because it becomes due at the end of the year. It is a gift of safety in case of problem for her and I feel better knowing that she has it.
DeleteI think that's a great idea, Jude!
DeleteI'm in pretty good shape, have been ordering lots of books of course, plus black Friday deals from my favorite places, such as ALPENGLOW in Alaska. They have the best face/hand cream ever--I love the lavender scent.
ReplyDeleteBookstores: Please try not to use amazon for books, we need these shops to stay alive: RJ JULIA BOOKSTORE in Madison CT, COPPERFISH BOOKS in Punta Gorda FL, MURDER ON THE BEACH, Delray Beach FL, Books and Books Key West, KEY WEST ISLAND BOOKS. Oh and Downtown Books and Purl in Apalachicola FL has books and knitting stuff!
Lucy, now I have to look up Alpenglow. I've never heard of it! And great suggestions all on the bookstores!
DeleteAlpenglow - best hand cream, huh? I'm getting desperate for some relief for my hands so, I too will be looking them up
DeleteI always do my Xmas shopping while we're traveling, so it's done by Thanksgiving. This year, I had to order on-line and deal with excessive amounts of drama: runner dude at the runners sock company assumed I had received the 15 pairs of socks I had ordered. I hadn't, but had made a complete list of what I ordered, with delicious names like "grit and grace", "embrace kindness", and "defy gravity". Runner dude came through with the missing socks! And the case of the disappearing Christmas crackers from England solved by marvelous Julian, who sent me a screen shot of the DHL to USPS transfer in Traverse City.
ReplyDeleteI also received two random workout T shirts I never ordered. I notified customer service, who sent me an email asking me to "drop them off at my neighbor's house" in North Carolina.
And a shout-out to my daughter, who helped me with the worst of the shopping. Photo Xmas cards formatted and edited? Not a problem, Mom.
I love the sock names, Margaret!!
DeleteWe normally do Christmas crackers every year, and put a great deal of thought into which ones to buy. Alas, we'll probably skip those just for the two of us.
Debs, it sounds like you have all the time in the world. Don't feel like you are too late, you are just on time!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a clerk in a huge jewelry store, I loved Christmas Eve. We were open until 6:00 pm and hysterical husbands packed the counter 3 to 4 deep. Sometimes, the number counter tape would go around 2 or 3 times over the course of the day. When I waited on someone, I would get an idea of what would work, price range, etc., then run around with them until I had placed the dainty inside a gorgeous velvet box and sent him to another part of the store for toys and stuff. So, not too late yet!
Chanukah begins on December 10 after sundown. And, Rachel, her husband and her youngest son all have birthdays during the Christmas/ Chanukah, New Years Holidays. We will not be with our kids, although we thought we would and I did have a couple of things sent here. But, Quinn will be 6 next Saturday and Rachel will wrap the gift we sent for him. The grandsons have already all received books and I had those sent, too. Chanukah presents are dribbling in but this year they've almost all been mailed directly to the kids.
Most years everything comes here, I wrap it all and then we see everyone during the holidays. We usually arrive at Rachel's with bags and bags of gifts and baked goodies. Same at Jonathan's. This year, I have taken the easy way out and everyone still is getting something from his of her list, but UPS Santa is the one bringing it. As sad as I could be about this, the numbers of people dying across the country are staggering.
Dear Jungle Reds, please take care of yourselves. This weekend, I'll be making out checks to favorite charities and sending them off on Monday morning. I hope that next year the holidays will be normal or some semblance thereof.
Judy, I love that you loved the Christmas Eve jewelry shoppers! And that reminded me of one of my favorite scenes in Love Actually, where Alan Rickman buys the necklace from Rowan Atkinson!
DeleteThat scene is a master class in comic timing and editing.
DeleteI send money to my children and grandchildren. This is after years of searching for just the right gift and missing the mark at least half the time. The new baby, my first great grandchild, is doe to arrive just before Christmas. I sent him a rocker recliner for the nursery, which is already in use by his very preggers mummy. He will be only a week old by Christmas, and rocking, nursing, and sleeping are all he will want anyway.
ReplyDeleteJulie and I stopped exchanging gifts a couple of years ago. We have everything we want and more than we need. We bought four parkas in four colors and four sizes and donated to the local Coats for Kids drive, brings us more pleasure than unwrapping yet one more sweater.
Last night we talked about putting up a tree. The count is still out on that one. I'll probably resurrect some wreaths from the attic. And buy one from the boy scouts. We used to spend days decorating, and we have a Fontani creche, about 500 pieces, that is carefully wrapped in tissue and residing in its little individual boxes. I can't remember the last time we put it up.
The thing that moves me to holiday decorating is holiday entertaining. That's not happening this year, so I think we will just enjoy looking at the beautiful lights across the street, take a drive to enjoy more of the same, and enjoy living in a pine needle free space!
But we do support small business Saturday. Julie has a list of things to pick up around town. She does this every year. It isn't very exciting, but includes things like pet safe ice melt, new Yak Trax all around, and things of that ilk, getting ready for winter up here on the tundra.
Happy holidays everyone
Ann, I’d love to see that crèche! I’ve always wanted one
DeleteI know we have some old pictures. I'll look for some and post them on FB
DeleteI haven't decided yet on the tree, Ann, but I suspect I will probably get one. It is my favorite Christmas thing, even if no one else gets to enjoy it this year.
DeleteAnd, my mother collected Fontanini figurines for years, and had a lovely large creche. When we cleared out dad's house this fall, one of my brothers got it. It was special for him, so we're glad it will be set up every year and enjoyed.
DeleteI just can't seem to get into it and it doesn't help when I ask people for suggestions and they don't have any. However, I have bought a few things, books among them of course. In Schenectady there is the Open Door bookstore which is very nice but I seldom get there. Locally there is only a used book store and I recall at least one author was totally opposed to such things so that is always in the back of my mind. But sometimes the only way you can get a book is to buy it used. Maybe it would be available on Kindle but for me that is the last resort.
ReplyDeleteI say phooey on that author! I support the Half Price Books in my town wholeheartedly. Used books are a great way to discover new authors, and I support people reading whether books are used, new, or from the library!
DeleteJudi, if you are in the Schenectady area, there is also Market Block Books in Troy and Book House at Stuyvesant Plaza in Albany.
DeleteJulia, I didn't know about Book House but, if Judi goes to Stuyvesant Plaza, then lunch at Peaches is a must...or just pick up some dessert to go.
DeleteOh, plenty of time! :-)
ReplyDeleteBut in addition to the stores above —yay Poisoned Pen where we’ll ALL be on the 12th! —there’s the amazing PAGE 158 BOOKS. In Wake Forest NC—if you want any one of my books signed personally to you—or to anyone as a gift! — we have figured out a way to do that! I will post the link in a minute, but you can just go to their website, order my book, with free shipping! And I will sign it to you personally however you like. A signed book makes a great gift!
What a great idea, Hank!
DeleteI made my list yesterday, but since there are only three people on it, it didn't take long. And they are eaasy-peasy to please, so no worries there. But I did order two gifts yesterday--my brother-in-law is very depressed. He's a social guy--the kind who always has somewhere to go and someone to talk to--and he is really missing all of that as the pandemic drags on, plus they haven't seen their older son in 10 months. We wouldn't normally exchange gifts--but I found a wonderful, whimsical train whirligig that he can put outside and enjoy year-round (he has a Christmas train that's his pride and joy).
ReplyDeleteNone of my favorite indie bookstores are in business today, but I'd like to find some special books for the 5-year-old. And yes, some year-end gifts to charities. Stay safe, everyone, and bless you!
Flora, if you want to order from an indy for the five-year-old, Interabang Books in Dallas has a great children's selection, and they ship!
Deletehttps://www.interabangbooks.com/
Deborah, thanks for the tip! I have missed those days of hunting for children's books and now that he is reading, can't wait!
DeleteANOTHER great bookstore to direct your attention: Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA. Fortuitously this just arrived in my in-box from Book Passage owner Elaine Petrocelli...
ReplyDeleteELAINE WRITES:
You're invited! Please join me SATURDAY (today) for a special Book Passage Booktalk.
Join me live this Saturday, at 4 pm Pacific, 7 pm Eastern time. Together with Book Passage staff experts, I'll tell you then about our recommendations for the holidays. We’ll also review some of our favorite books of the year and share some book-related fun for the coming weeks.
Please join us, and please feel free to extend this information to book lovers you know who may wish to take part. We're so thankful that our stores are open again, and that our website, bookpassage.com, is busy. We're looking forward to extending our annual booktalk online!
If you're already registered for Conversations with Authors, just look this for more details via email Saturday morning. If you've not yet registered, please do so, and we'll send you the information you need on Saturday, and reserve your seat at every upcoming Conversations with Authors session.
With huge gratitude.
REGISTER AND LEARN MORE: https://email.extendedsession.com/t/t-l-xhyydht-suuijtjz-t/
—Elaine
This is fabulous, Hallie! And I love Book Passage, too. Many happy events there.
DeleteEchoing my praise for Book Passage. They also have fab travel gifts, scarves, jewelry etc. and a huge kids book section.
DeleteThank you, Hallie! I just registered and am exciting about attending this and future events.
DeleteBook Passage has a huge kids book section. Love their travel gifts too.
DeleteDeborah, I don't know that I have any super-duper ideas. I'm not all that creative when it comes to giving people gifts. If I have a basic idea of what they like, I get something related to that. One co-worker loves books and Harry Potter. So a gift card and a Ron Weasley Funko Pop figure is earmarked for her. But I don't see myself ever getting a wide-eyed "I Can't Believe It" reaction from anyone I give a gift to.
ReplyDeleteHave I started Christmas shopping? Why yes I have, thanks for asking. I hadn't really planned on doing any shopping yesterday, but I had to drop by the local Barnes and Noble for a book that I had ordered. Of course, it had come in on Wednesday but by some weird quirk or design, the notification of the book's arrival never arrives until 11pm or so, long after the store has closed. Since they only hold it for 5 days and I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get there in that timeframe, I waited for later in the afternoon and drove over. It turned out to be a good idea that I did this because they were running a 50% off best sellers sale and I was able to pick up not only a copy of the new David Baldacci book DAYLIGHT for myself, but I got a copy of it for my friend Brian (the 78 year old British guy who is a part of the trivia team). He's a huge fan of Baldacci but was probably going to have to wait for paperback to read the book. Now, he just has to wait until Christmas. I also grabbed a couple of small gift cards from there as well for two of my co-workers. Oh, and I picked up a fleece blanket featuring a picture of Bob Ross for my friend Ann. We have this thing were we give each other goofy gifts each year and I always get her something with Bob Ross. This stems from the time I dressed up as him for one of her Halloween/Christmas parties.
I've got a bunch of stuff for my nephew and books for cousin's kids already. Basically all I have left to get really is some gift cards.
Today being Small Business Saturday, I intend to order a book from an independent book shop. That shop is TITCOMB'S BOOKSHOP in East Sandwich, MA. I've been to the shop for a few signings with authors (including Hank!) plus a couple that they held at the local library too (Hank again and Joanna Schaffhausen). I'm not driving down to the shop but I plan to call and put in a mail order for a particular book I'm looking for.
I would also drop by my friend's record store, PURCHASE STREET RECORDS, but he's going to be busy this weekend so there's no need to be in the way. I buy enough stuff there anyway through the year and I did put in an order for a few new CDs with him just about a month ago. Two came in and the other one, a box set for the band The Bronx Casket Co., is due out Tuesday.
It's nice to get stuff out of the way both early and relatively cheaply so that I can start putting money away for the next round of bills for yearly insurances and the like.
Quick Update - I just did an online order through the Titcomb's Bookshop website and picked up a book that is actually on their bookshelves right now so it should be on its way to me ASAP. Cross that item off my list.
DeleteJay, you sound remarkably organized to me!
DeleteLove Titcombs!
DeleteI was so sorry to have my Titcombs event cancelled last April (along with all other events). Next year, I hope!
DeleteDeborah, it's a bit easier to be organized when I have so few people that are gift-worthy. :D
DeleteHank, I love Titcomb's too but it is hard to find the time to get there more often than I do.
Edith, I was sorry to see that event cancelled too. It was supposed to be with Christin Brecher and it was Book 2 in her Nantucket Candlemaker series that I ordered this morning. Also, I had planned to surprise you with that apple recipe from the past book. I have a family friend who was going to have me over to her place so she could supervise my making of the recipe. I thought it would be a nice twist on the usual meet and greet. Sadly it was not to be.
I try to shop for gifts all year long. Gives me time to look for those hard-to-buy-for people, and my luck, if I see something good for somebody, it'll be gone if I don't buy it right away. So this time of year I'm pulling out the stack of purchases and looking at what I have for each person on my list, and what I still need to get. I have a couple people I buy for Christmas and birthday at the same time, because their birthdays are so close to the beginning of the year. Otherwise I feel like I'm done, Christmas ends, and then "oh wait! I've got to find a birthday present!" I love to shop now because there are so many more options around Christmas and I usually find things I wouldn't any other time of year. I'll wrap whenever I get done shopping and have a weekend off work.
ReplyDeleteFavorite bookstore- there's only one that's even semi-nearby here, but it's great. Lots of wonderful books (new and used), local author talks, old fashioned candy, games, puzzles, homemade crafts and jams, and a fabulously fun owner. Sweet Reads in Austin, MN!
Thanks for the bookstore recommendation, Alicia! And I should introduce you to Kathleen, my year-round shopper friend.
DeleteHere in the heart of the Canadian prairies our terrific indie bookstore is McNally Robinson that will ship anywhere. I've been keeping up my end by ordering quite frequently for curbside pickup. I don't give many gifts but am going to make granola and shortbread for local giving. That always is well received, while bought gifts have usually missed the mark. My favourite thing is to wrap, so that's always fun. Weather is weird up here this season and we're suffering with icy surfaces that make walking treacherous. Ugh. Give me minus 10 degrees Celsius and sunshine any day!
ReplyDeleteYum, shortbread! That is my favorite thing. Stay warm and safe, Amanda!
DeleteI live down the street from the Pen, so it’s my second home and Barbara, the owner, is a very dear friend. I’m not a super over the top Christmas person, so it’s easy for me. When the Hooligans were in middle school, after the magical years of believing in Santa, we instituted the four gifts. Everyone gets something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read (my favorite). So, we keep it simple but on point. As for extended nieces and nephews - cold, hard cash is the ticket but I do try make them work for it with a treasure hunt or a riddle. LOL.
ReplyDeleteI love the Four Gifts rubric, Jenn. That's perfect!
DeleteThat's such a smart idea, Jenn!
DeleteThat is so perfect!
DeleteJenn, can you walk to the Pen from your house?
DeleteDiana
My actual family is small now, and far away. They all have odd expertise-intensive interests, so they get Amazon gift cards and the chance to knock themselves out on getting what they want.
ReplyDeleteMy friend family is closer, but still small. Several of them get gift cards, too, because who knows what unique tool the tool collector wants, or what interesting fashion item the fashionista craves this season? I do have a few gifts in the bag, though. The only problem was, I wasn't sure if it should be this version? Or that version? At least one friend is going to get several versions of the gifts I thought would work.
Oh! And the dogs all get new blue Hanakkuah bear toys because that has been the #1 toy of preference for several years running.
DeleteFavorite indy bookstore? I try to support Interrobang Books in Dallas with at least one order a month.
I need to order a book for Wren from Interabang.
DeleteI’ve settled for cash this year ( large check as they are hurting financially) and one small gift each to let them know I care about them. I miss choosing fun things in person
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Rhys!
ReplyDeleteI haven't started yet. Most likely gift cards.
ReplyDeleteI usually have a lot of presents stuck away by this time, but of course I haven't been out casually shopping and picking things up as inspiration strikes since February. No, scratch that. January!
ReplyDeleteOur family rule is everyone must make out a written wish list. Anything and everything can go on the list . You are unlikely to get the new car you ask for, but you can put it on there anyway. All the siblings and I shop from the list, and also usually find a few extra other things that aren't on it.
This year, there may be fewer physical presence, and more checks. However, Santa is quite reliable in always bringing socks or gloves, hand sanitizer, hand cream and lip balm (necessities in the cold Maine winter!) a book, a movie, and usually something silly or fun.
Sorry! Voice to text. I meant physical presents, of course.
DeleteAlthough we'll all have less physical presence, won't we? Sigh.
I forgot my independent bookstore recommendations! We have a fantastic array in Maine. Three of my favorites: PRINT, A Bookshop and Longfellow Books, both in Portland, and Sherman's, a local chain that has book stores in several towns in the state.
ReplyDeleteI love Small Business Saturday but I can get uncomfortable crowds so I would start with good intentions but often did very little shopping on that particular day. I usually start thinking about holiday shopping in November but rarely actually shop until December. I only have 4 people to buy for this year. One family, my sister's in Oregon. I want to get this organized so I can have the packages sent there in time for Christmas. I'm suppose to fly there on Christmas day, have the tickets and time off already, but may need to cancel at the last minute so getting organized is important, hope I can pull it off.
ReplyDeleteI've actually checked on line for the local book stores in Eugene, where my sister lives. If I order books for them, I thought it would be nice to order from those shops. My local shop is Copperfields Books. I do have a couple books ready to be picked up so I'll probably get out today after all. I may actually do some decorating this year, nothing is in storage across town anymore.
Okay, enough sitting around, sipping coffee, time to get going. Have a great day everyone.
Shalom Reds and friends,
ReplyDeleteHappy Holiday season to everyone. I live in the borough of Doylestown, PA. I am guessing that within a radius of 2 miles, there are not too many big chain stores, with the exception of several supermarkets and the banks. We do have three Starbucks within that 2 mile radius.
The center of town is the intersection of Main and State Streets. There used to be more of the less expensive Mom and Pop stores, but they have sold out over the years, not that they weren’t making money. Rather the real estate in the last 20 years has become so coveted that these stores were offered so much money to sell out that they felt they couldn’t refuse.
We have three book and one record store in the center of town.
To the south a few steps is the Doylestown Book Shop. It is a large independent, locally owned store and always carries the newest books. I think the last time that I was in there I was looking for a greeting card of some sort. I tend to favor the library when they are open.
There is a children’s bookstore called “A Secret Garden.” It is owned by a childhood friend of my sister-in-law and has been in one location or another in the center of town for well over 35 years at least.
I don’t buy too many gifts for Christmas. My birthday is here in a few days and one of my brothers has in recent years been sending me Starbucks gift cards in large amounts. I am boycotting Starbucks, so, I guess I will have to break the boycott.
I am stuck in the house today, at least until our turkey is done and we’ve eaten again. People gave us so much food, that we weren’t hungry enough to cook the turkey on Thursday or Friday. While preparing the bird, my roommate and I watched old cartoons on YouTube, courtesy of our local non-profit movie house, the County Theater. It has been closed all year and undergoing major renovations.
When I did holiday giving, I tried to do handmade items. Of course, how many samplers can a family member want before they grimace instead of grin? Don't answer that. Now I send my good wishes. The grands get books of course and cross stitch.
ReplyDeleteBook stores? Haslam's in St. Petersburg, and Powell's in Portland. My favorite indie in Tampa, Tomes and Treasures closed its doors a while back. Pity it was everything an indie aspired to be.
And for the ones who worry about not having gifts available on the 25th.. go with The Twelve Days tradition; you have until January 6th to get the package delivered. Enjoy the fall day everyone.
Mom always sent cards that had the Wise Men on the cover and usually them in the mail on Dec 23 or so. Never arrived until after Dec 25....
DeleteHere is the link for any Hank book! With FREE shipping, and personalized however you like. Just put "Hank Free Shipping" in the order comments, as well as how you want the books personalized! https://www.page158books.com/book/9781250258809
ReplyDeleteI've started a little of my Christmas shopping. But I'm waiting for list ideas from my family. I'm stressing because work is going to be so busy, I'm not sure when I will be able to do any shopping, even online shopping early enough to make sure things arrive before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteFavorite Indie Bookstores: Content Books in Northfield, MN., and Once Upon a Crime in Minneapolis!
ReplyDeleteMany on my list will get gift cards and books from the venerable and wonderful independent bookstore Vroman's in Pasadena, CA. They put out a call for support this fall and have been overwhelmed by the donations and purchases. I'm also supporting independent nurseries to send gifts to distant family. We're all cutting back this year, except for the kids.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I LOVE Vroman's!! What a great suggestion!!
DeleteBoy, am I late today. I've managed to identify and buy three Christmas gifts, and there won't be many more. We've stopped buying stuff for one another, except for my grandson.
ReplyDeleteJoseph-Beth in Cincinnati and a couple other cities is an awesome independent bookstore.
Finished my Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteAmong my favorite bookshops:
Books Inc., Great Good Place for Books, Mrs. Dalloway's Literary Arts and Books, and Book Passage
All are local. When I lived in the National Capitol, it was Politics and Prose in Washington, DC.
When I visit relatives in the Chicago suburbs, it is the Book Stall, a wonderful independent bookstore.
Friends love Vronman''s in southern California. And you already mentioned Poisoned Pen Bookstore and Murder by the Books, which other friends also love.
Diana
I'm afraid I buy my books from Barnes and Noble. I only buy paperbacks or e-books. After learning about independent bookstores through events, I checked their websites and e-mail they sent me. They just don't have the cozy mystery and romance paperbacks that I buy.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I did do was order soap from the business that I used to buy from at the Farm Show since it is going virtual this January. I mostly buy gift cards for my friends but am not even sure when I'll see them this year. I'm going to meet my cousins in a parking lot since they won't eat inside. Hey, better than nothing. Stay safe and well.