I love browsing big box bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Borders, and I like looking up books online, but I still love my Independent Booksellers. Yep, it’s great having the big boys in town, but we have to remember those local book-loving entrepreneurs who made sure we had a place to buy books before the corporations discovered the Oklahoma market. They’re still great places to discover new authors and pick up favorite reads.
This article from the Tulsa World is a great round up of local bookstores in T-town, (including one of our all-time favorites, Steve’s Sundry, Books and Magazines), and even includes some shout-outs to local booksellers from the past. Remember Novel Idea? Was that a cool store, or what?!
There are other great independent booksellers around the state, and it’s a great time of year to throw your patronage their way.
Here are some links to some of our other favorite local booksellers. Be sure and tell ‘em the Okie Reads blog sent you!
Brace Books & More is a Ponca City institution, and it sells much more than just books. It’s a good place to see and be seen while you’re browsing the aisles with a hot cup of coffee.
Best of Books in Edmond turned 26 years old this year! Julie and staff are always ready to help you find the right book, whether for you or as a gift. They’ll even wrap your holiday gift for free. Plus, they are big supporters of the annual Oklahoma Book Awards each year.
Could we be more in love with Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City? Probably not. It’s our favorite for discovering classics, Oklahoma authors, and the latest fiction and non-fiction bestsellers.
Folks in Ardmore shop at The Bookseller and Ashley’s Bookstore and More. The Bookseller has served the community for years, and Ashley’s is a great place to find used and rare titles.
If you’re looking for used and rare books in OKC, be sure and make a stop at Aladdin Book Shope. I remember the big old store that used to be on 23rd Street. You’ll now find it at Mayfair.
OK, folks… now it’s your turn. What Oklahoma Independent Booksellers do you love?
Calling all readers! Skip the chain stores and go straight to the source!
Rampage Artists and Wayward Poets are teaming up for the inaugural Literati Indie Book Fair to be held at the IAO Gallery at 811 N. Broadway. The book fair will feature state and regional authors across all genres from experimental fiction, poetry, children’s books to graphic novels. There will also be readings and music performances throughout the day and the Soapbox will give slam poets a place to spout truths to the passing crowds.
There is an open call for authors, publishers and indie book stores to rent out booth space for $20, where they can sell their books and keep 100% of the profit. There is also a call for narrative and comic book-styled artwork. Visual art submission is free with 10% of the sale going to Rampage Artists and Wayward Poets.
Rampage Artists is an artists cooperative featuring an array of unique voices driven to innovate in their respective fields. Founded in 2007, the purpose of Rampage Artists extends beyond promoting its primary players to offering opportunities for other emerging fashion designers, artists, dancers, musicians and writers to express themselves and further their careers.
Wayward Poets is a poetry non-profit group under the umbrella of the Individual Artists of Oklahoma founded in 1998 when a group of despondent poets wandered the streets aimlessly reading at each other’s houses after their venue closed. Soon after, Galileo’s Bar and Grill in the Paseo opened their doors, becoming The Home for Wayward Poets hosting open-mic readings and poetry slams on Wednesdays for over 10 years. With the help of IAO, the Wayward Poets publish books and spoken word CDs, and also is a proud sponsor of Oklahoma City’s delegation to the National Poetry Slam each year. The members of Wayward Poets continue making the huge effort to cultivate and promote both aspiring and established writers, as well as bringing further regional and national literary attention to Oklahoma poets and writers of all genres.
Literati is a fundraiser for Rampage Artists and Wayward Poets, enabling the organization and promotion of future events locally and nationwide, as well as offering tour support to Oklahoma’s alternative voices.
One of the fun parts of my job is book selection. We try to buy as many Oklahoma Authors as we can identify. So with our end of year money I got to make a shopping trip to Full Circle Bookstore. If you don’t know where I’m talking about
you need to head on over to 50 Penn Plaza, 1st level, and stop in the lovely locally owned bookstore. Handy parking right out front. Nice little snack area, free coffee in the bookstore, fireplace, comfy seating, pleasant and helpful staff. Here’s their event calendar, http://www.fullcirclebooks.com/events.aspx
Anyway back to my original point. Full Circle has identified ALL the Oklahoma Authors with a little note card on the shelf. So you can be in self-help and find an Oklahoma Author or in Fiction and identify a whole new bunch. Very helpful for those of us who want to support our local writers. I hate when all the local books are shoved off in some obscure corner and half the authors aren’t there, or only travel books.
And as someone who looks for Oklahoma Author book reviews or local author signings, I was amazed at how many authors and titles I needed to pick up.
They offer a variety of events on a regular basis including children’s storytime; author appearances, lectures and signings; live music every Friday and Saturday evening and a wide range of reading groups to suit most literary tastes.
Great job Full Circle!
Support your local bookstores and authors, it’s good for you, and its good for them.
Juxtapositions by Christiane Faris and Margaret Flansburg and award-winning graphic designer Carl Brune
Full Circle Press, is proud to announce its latest release–Juxtapositions, a retrospective of the life of artist and instructor Brunel Faris and his contribution to the visual arts community in Oklahoma City from the late 1960s until his death in 2005. Brunel Faris’s life and career as an artist, teacher and administrator was uniquely entwined with the growth and development of an increasingly confident visual arts community in Oklahoma City. For ordering information, please contact Full Circle by email at customerservice@fullcirclebooks.com or by phone at (405)842-2900 or (800) 683-READ.
I love browsing big box bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Borders, and I like looking up books online, but I still love my Independent Booksellers. Yep, it’s great having the big boys in town, but we have to remember those local book-loving entrepreneurs who made sure we had a place to buy books before the corporations discovered the Oklahoma market. They’re still great places to discover new authors and pick up favorite reads.
money I got to make a shopping trip to Full Circle Bookstore. If you don’t know where I’m talking about
From the Full Circle Bookstore website:
