When I step into Boulder Book Store, I’m reminded why I became a writer. Well, I’m reminded of one of the reasons I became a writer. As a kid, there was nothing more magical to me than being surrounded by towering stacks of books at my local library. While at the library, I could borrow the books. When I stepped into the rare treat of a bookstore, however — I could keep the books. I mean, providing my parents paid for them since I wasn’t looking to fill my formative years with a juvie rap. To this day, stepping into a book store holds the same reverence — a delightful adventure surrounded by swirling words and unlikely characters, each with a mind of their own.
I’ve long admired the Local Authors section at Boulder Book Store. As an author, it gives me a chance to be a part of a community on a greater level. Be accessible. Be discovered by your neighbor. The number of local authors in the Boulder Book Store local authors section is always mind blowing to me. I could be walking down Pearl Street (or any other) and bump into someone who shares shelf space with me. Someone else who’s put the pen to the page, digital or actual, and carved out a story only he or she can tell.
When I think of some of my struggles as a kid to pound out a book report, I’m pretty damn impressed that I’ve been able to write two books. And I’m always damn impressed when someone is able to write one. I mean, Cannabis is penned locally (where else but Boulder, right?) and stands to be one of the first educational texts for college-level education on the subject. It’s $118, too — so it’s not recreational reading (and you’d probably prefer spending that dough on an ounce or two instead of reading about weed). And then you have Florence Williams’ Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History over in the local section as well. A fantastic read (I own it…umm, and a pair of them) if you’re looking into the whys and whatnots of these things that are all the rage for discussions inside of locker rooms and out. The list goes on and on — mostly because Boulder is smart, motivated, and prolific. All you have to do is be willing to pick up a book and discover a new topic. And a new Boulderite.
So next time you’re over on Pearl Street, duck inside and ask directions to the local authors section. Odd are, you’ll stumble across someone you know…and meet some new neighbors in the process.
