A Little Bit of Heaven

February 15, 2023

First, I have an exciting announcement! This year I will be publishing two children’s books–The Parasaurolophus Pizza Parlor and The Christmas Mummy. You can read about them at my new website: LynnWardBooks.com.

Last week I went on a short road trip with my husband. It was only about an hour’s drive, but crossing a bridge to another state makes me feel like I’ve traveled farther. He was headed to a specialty shop for woodworking. We ate lunch out and I had a book with me for the wait, of course. I never leave home without one. But as we headed to his shop, I thought I saw … yes! Hello, Barnes and Noble!

You know I love bookstores, but most of the ones that were close to me have closed completely. The rest are shrinking, down-sizing like so many other physical stores. I can understand this but hate it at the same time. This store was huge. It was one of the largest I’ve ever been in. I just stood and gaped when I first walked in.

I started in the children’s department, browsing and sampling all types of books. Then I wandered, looking at covers, reading the descriptions on the back, and just plain enjoying the fact that I was awash in books. It made me miss the old days when I was in a bookstore easily once every week or two. I felt on top of what was being published, recognizing titles and authors just from seeing them on display.

Just to be clear, I love libraries too. Mine is great and can get me almost anything I want. But browsing is harder, since I have to take each book off the shelf to look at it. At the bookstore, I don’t have to work at it. I just absorb it as I pass by.

I had totally lost track of time when my husband showed up. But I didn’t have to leave—he’s a bookaholic too.

Eventually we had to go. With new books, naturally. We’d be hypocrites if we didn’t support the stores we want to keep around.

Back in the car, I realized I’d never passed by the Humor section. It used to be my favorite spot, but over the years, I’ve found that humor has changed enormously, and I’m not interested in most of it. But I still look. Just in case.