Gibbs Smith (1)

This book is a tribute to and celebration of some of the best bookstores in the country. Sadly, more than a few have closed prior to or after this book's publication in 2009.

Kroch's and Brentano's on Wabash in Chicago graces the cover. This fantastic store is one of those that closed prior to the book's publication. I loved this bookstore and remember going with my Dad several times when I was a kid and also tagging along with my aunt a time or two as well. I learned how to browse in that store as well as in my local library. Sadly, the company went out of business in 1995. Their roots date back to 1907 and at their height they had 22 stores in the Chicago area and were the largest privately owned book chain in the country.

There are 58 bookstores featured in The Art of the Bookstore and many of them are still in business. Each store has a two page spread. On the left hand page is a paragraph or page about the store: its history, description, and/or Smith's experience with the store. The history of some stores is written by its owner or founder.

In addition to the brief histories and beautiful paintings, there are quotes that celebrate books and bookstores sprinkled throughout.

Smith's short but enjoyable introduction describes how he came to love books and painting. I have fallen in love with his colorful and vibrant paintings. They give off an energy of excitement and anticipation that is much the same as the energy I feel when spotting a bookstore in a city I'm visiting or walking up to a well-known and much-loved bookstore.… (mehr)

I'm a sucker for these types of books, even though I know they date quickly, and I was feeling grumpy about my DNF and needed something easy and quick.

Based on the About this Author on the back page, I gather that this was a posthumous publication of primarily the author's (who was also a publisher) personal paintings of bookstores around the country, put together as a memorial of sorts. As such, some of the bookstores included had already closed (thought only a small number). Most have some description about the history of each shop, some only a quotation.

The painting style appeals to me and I was delighted to see a section at the back for "bookshops I have visited" with each shop listed and a place to include the date, making this book a journal of sorts for anyone willing to write in a book.… (mehr)