'The light is shining out of the windows of bookstores'
A former officer in the American Booksellers Association said the following words on the occasion of the ABA’s 125th anniversary: “We’re in dark times, and the light is shining out of the windows of bookstores, and that gives hope.”
I was feeling guilty about minding my bookshop instead of being out on the hustings during the No Kings rallies when this follow-up letter (reprinted partially below) came from the ABA:
We see you, booksellers. We see you hosting supply drives for immigrant families who are afraid to leave their homes. We see you distributing whistles for protectors and allies. We see you donating the proceeds of sales to charities that support human rights, free speech, and Binc. We see you selling books on history, the US constitution, how to run for office, mutual aid, and “1984.” We see you gearing up to register voters for the midterms. Minneapolis-St. Paul-area booksellers, thank you for reminding all of us how powerful we are, even when we feel powerless.
I have often felt that it sounds corny and too idealistic in this cynical era to express such belief and confidence in books and bookshops, but if it does, so be it. I hope you all share in this belief and confidence and are reading happily.
Thanks,
Franlee