Today’s post is in honor of the First Buy Indie Day brought to us by the folks at IndieBound. A great idea whose time has come. Everyone is encouraged to buy a book at their local independent bookseller on May 1st.
In honor of this day I wanted to share an anctedote from my dog’s vet appointment Wednesday. Poor little Inky had been struggling with some stitches that he scratched off, and was now dealing with six staples in his neck. These staples and his very vigorous left hind foot necessitated him wearing one of those Elizabethan cones around his head for two weeks. After a day of the cone, it wasn’t funny anymore, it was just plain sad. So I was practically bouncing into the vet’s office late on Wednesday for staple removal and freedom from the cone, eager to get my happy little dog back.
Well, the vet wanted to share a story with me. He’s talking and *not* taking the staples out. Internally, I’m tapping my foot, and he can sense my impatience. He continues, saying, "You’ll like this story." I am dubious at best.
It turns out his ten-year old son bought a friend a gift card to the Flying Pig. As the birthday boy was opening presents, there were some, "Oh that’s cool," when the Wii game got opened. Someone thought the soccer ball "pretty decent." But when this kid opened his last present, the $20 gift card to the Flying Pig, the kids went nuts, all saying variations of "Oh my God, that’s the coolest store." "I love that place." "You can get the best books there." The birthday party then turned into a book group, with the kids talking about what they’ve been reading that they liked, and what they were looking forward to reading this summer. And helping their friend make a list of books he could get with his gift card.
With the staples still in the dog’s neck, I was heartened that the best part of this boy’s party wasn’t the cool gizmo, it was the prospect of books and talking about them with his friends. Just know that for every story like this booksellers hear, there are far more that we don’t. We do important work, and there’s nothing that makes me happier than a bunch of kids sitting around talking about books.
Happy Buy Indie Day!
What a WONDERFUL story! I have often said that the greatest sign of hope for the survival of mankind during the last century was to see kids standing in line overnight waiting for a store to open so that they could buy the next Harry Potter book. Kids who grow up loving books and bookstores are our future. By the way – Inky DID get his stitches out, didn’t he? hugh@hughellis.com
Thanks for you concern. Inky did get the stitches out and is now digging holes all over my yard 🙂
What a great story! I get just as excited about books as these kids did. I’m happy to hear Inky is doing better.
I loved that story, Josie! I was so that kid. More excited about the book than about the toy:) I did my part today and bought some new titles that I have been antsy to get my hands on. And the best part: I shopped at my local Indie, the UConn Co-op!! And glad Inky is feeling better!!
Ended up working at home today and I live in a town without a bookstore,and any of the Indie bookstores within driving distance were closed by the time I got through with work, so what was a supporter of Indies to do on Buy Indie Day? Did I miss the boat? How would I live with the guilt? I suppose I could have transferred the spirit and gone to my independent hardware store, but I really wanted to support a bookstore. So I got online and through the magic of the internet ordered not 1 but 2 books from Oblong Books & Music–both titles recommended recently by who else but Independent Booksellers. The titles were Because I am Furniture and Wintergirls, and in addition to feeling like I supported an Independent business today, I get the added treat of a package of books when they arrive next week. I think we should have Buy Indie Day at least once a month.
Interesting, I`ll quote it on my site later. Thank you
Well, I tried to support Buy Indie Day. I really did. But I was out of town and the only indie nearby was CLOSED for the afternoon, unexpectedly. Drats! So, what did I do? I extended Buy Indie Day to Buy Indie Days and went on back this morning and bought TWO books! Ha!