Emptying a Bookstore

Owner Gerald Blanchette presides over the  last days as he prepares to close down his book shop where he has worked for 14 years. Today, every book was two bucks at the rapidly emptying book store on the Corner of Miles and May Streets. I bought a few mysteries, a Henry James and Huckleberry Finn, a book I read when I was about thirteen and think I might get more out of it second time around, as often happens with classics.

Later I walked into the Finn Bookstore, corner of Bay and Algoma and saw the books squished into a narrow shelf on the main floor. Once, not so long ago, when you went upstairs you were met with a fine array including the superb Moomin Books by Tove Jansson, great gifts for kids. A lot of other goodies were offered there, including many books by local authors as well as Finnish books translated into English. I bought several of these including a great collection of Finnish short stories.  It wasn't a large area but the selection was terrific.

Thus and so, the demise of the indie bookstore saddens everyone who loves books and reading, whether comix or kids books or fantasy or even Henry James.