Independent Bookstores

Between August 30 and October 23 I had the privilege of visiting a dozen independent bookstores to talk about Studs Terkel. Met wonderful people working at each store and got to talk to numerous patrons. Just happy these bookstores are alive and providing local, community alternatives to Amazon, etc… Shout outs to:

Broadway Books (Portland)

Bookends & Beginnings (Evanston)

57st Bookstore (Chicago)

Woodlawn Pattern Bookstore (Milwaukee)

MacsBacks on Coventry (Cleveland Heights)

Red Emma’s (Baltimore)

The Potter’s House (Washington D.C.)

Bluestockings (NYC)

Flyleaf Books (Chapel Hill)

Firestorm Café and Books (Asheville)

Moe’s Bookstore (Berkeley)

Modern Times (San Francisco)

Sadly, Modern Times is closing on November 15. I want to thank all of these community spaces—loved being at each store. At this point I want to say that Red Emma’s in Baltimore is my favorite bookstore in the World.

Book Tour Log -- NYC

September 28 – Workmen’s Circle NYC

The space at Workmen’s Circle in Midtown Manhattan felt like an extension of my historical home.  Large crowd with a reporter from a Jewish political blog, Susie Day from Monthly Review and her partner, Laura Whitehorn, and people from various socialist organizations. Quite a wonderful introduction by the venues CEO and then Victor Navasky, the longtime editor of The Nation told some Studs’ stories. I talked about the three themes I think unique to the book: 1. Critical Mass of Studs’ Stories; 2. Studs’ lifelong commitment to fighting and documenting white supremacy; and 3. His belief that you couldn’t have a democracy without serious conversation and debate. Like other places, there were great question, and not surprisingly many had to do with blacklisting and the Communist Party.

September 29 – Bluestockings Books NYC

Small crowd in the very special Anarchist/Cooperative Bookstore. Especially moving as my old friend and comrade, Allan Wolf, came out and added to great conversations before, during, and after the event.  One of the women working at the store asked the first question: What would you have liked to ask Studs? My response was that I would have asked him to talk in depth about Ida Terkel’s strength and politics. I then added that I really wish that I could have had Ida talk about her life.

Book Tour Log -- Baltimore and Washington D.C.

September 22 – Red Emma’s Baltimore

Great venue that welcomes a huge diversity of people. I spoke a great deal about Studs’ 3^rd party politics and his lifelong fighting and documenting white supremacy. Not a huge crowd but it turned out that people who were eating or working were also listening.  Heads popped up and stayed with the conversation. Amy & David came from Washington to fetch us and David asked a great question about both how Studs nurtured others and possible successors.  Two young people asked questions: 1. Studs and Black Lives Matter & 2. Social Network stuff and stories or the killing of stories. Loved the setting and the people.

September 27 – The Potter’s House Washington D.C.

Good crowd and once again I had friends come out. For example, it was quite special seeing my friend/workmate (we lined little league fields), Joel Cohn, who I hadn’t seen in 40 years. Tried to cover various aspects of Studs’ life and the questions were focused and substantial. Young people came out and added good energy with questions and comments. Great bookshop where once again, I bought a book, not such a good idea amidst travels.