As I said yesterday, I’m going to That Book Place tomorrow for the Author’s Fair. It seemed like a good time to recommend some independent booksellers, online and off.

That Book Place is in Madison, Indiana. They sell new and used books. They also have their own imprint, Hydra Publications. Great people to know, to shop with, and to work with.

Arlston’s Booksellers is in Corydon, Indiana, on the Square. New books, with a shelf or two of gently used ones. They also have an section of small antiques and collectibles. The blackboard behind the counter shows how far it is from Arlston’s to the big-box stores in Louisville. While the Sherman Minton bridge was out, the board said, “You can’t get there from here.” heeeee! They’ve been pals of mine for many years before they opened the store. Locavores. Love ’em!

Destinations Booksellers is in New Albany, Indiana on Spring Street, not far from the I-64 interchange. Always an interesting variety of books and book-related merchandise. You can even rent textbooks there. How cool is that? Very involved with the local scene, active in bringing in local and nationally renowned artists and authors.

Carmichael’s is in Louisville, with more than one location. AND they sell eBooks, so yay Carmichael’s! As with all independent booksellers, they’re very involved with what’s happening around them.

Indiebound is your online portal to indie bookstores. It’s a super-nifty site. It has a list, sorted by state, of indies that sell eBooks. Not just a bookstore portal, IndieBound has a search function to find independent stores of all kinds, including arts and crafts, yarns, toys, foods and more. Awesomesauce!

Now badgers. I had lunch with Jane yesterday, and she suggested I post a link to the honey badger video. I’m addicted to Randall, aren’t you? Anyway, I must warn you that Randall’s language isn’t always everything my mother would prefer. Here are my favorites of his videos so far. The honey badger, the sea otter, and  the armadillo. Don’t pollute, stupid!

While I’m on the subject of animal videos, Jane pointed me to this one of a kung fu bear. As Randall would say, crazy!

Well, I must go and dance between the raindrops, gathering wild mushrooms like a 200-bound fairy maiden. Or maybe that’s after I’ve had the mushrooms….

WRITING PROMPT: Does your main character own any books? Lots, or just a few? Any favorites? Write about a character who doesn’t have any books visiting the home of one who has a lot of them, or vice versa.

MA