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Vroman's...OMG!

  • May. 5th, 2008 at 5:15 PM

(Okay, google Pasadena, California. Pick something. The Huntington Library. The Gamble House. They're all wonderful, but for today, pick anything. It doesn't matter. Because today, it's just an excuse to go to Pasadena and spend a gazillion days here.

Vroman's Bookstore. I stopped today on my way back home, thinking the hour parking spot outside would be enough time. Well...THE ENTIRE HUGE TOP FLOOR IS ALL KIDS BOOKS! I don't know when, or if, I've ever seen so many books for kids in one spot. 

And the bookseller there? She basically spent the whole hour helping me psychoanalyze my son's reading tastes and pick books he will probably, actually try out! I'd say a book, and she knew what it was. She'd mention a possibility, and it was something he'd loved. We browsed and chatted and basically took apart (and put back together) the poor kid's whole reading personality. 

When I mentioned I'd read about the store on Lisa Yee's blog, her smile just about split her face. That smile wasn't for me, as glad as she was to have me there, but for Lisa--for the fact that Lisa is part of her world.

I'm telling you, break out the frequent flyer miles and your book budget for the next year, and just go!
  • Mood: enthralled

Comments

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[info]sharigreen wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 01:45 am (UTC)
Sounds absolutely wonderful!
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[info]beckylevine wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 02:16 am (UTC)
It definitely was. :)
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[info]susanwrites wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 02:28 am (UTC)
Every time I hear about that store I want to hop on a plane and go down there and see it for myself. How fun!
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[info]beckylevine wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 02:31 am (UTC)
I SO did not leave enough time to do it justice.
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[info]christine444 wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 03:41 am (UTC)
Yep, it's a cool place, over a hundred years old. I've seen Lisa Yee, Kerry Madden and Linda Urban there.

I also like Mrs. Nelson's Toy and Book Shop in LaVerne. They've been getting some big name children's authors there, too.
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[info]beckylevine wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 04:20 am (UTC)
Are you telling me you live close enough that you get to go often? Lucky you!
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[info]christine444 wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 07:01 pm (UTC)
Yeah, it's about 45 minutes away from me. I love independent bookstores. I try to check the website each month and see which authors are signing.
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[info]barrieinca wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 06:14 am (UTC)
Sounds like a great day (?) trip I could do with the kids. Thanks!
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[info]beckylevine wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 01:45 pm (UTC)
Oh, yeah--what, 1.5 hours from San Diego? Of course, you'd have to be careful not to lose the little ones, the children's floor is THAT BIG! :)
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[info]jeannineatkins wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 04:02 pm (UTC)
Thanks for another supportive nudge to southern California! The shop sounds divine.
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[info]beckylevine wrote:
May. 6th, 2008 04:42 pm (UTC)
Any idea if its near the fashion school? :)
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[info]lisayee wrote:
May. 8th, 2008 03:57 pm (UTC)
Vroman's is wonderful thanks to their booksellers!

Did you know that Publishers Weekly named them bookstore of the year recently? (And it's easy to see why!)
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[info]beckylevine wrote:
May. 8th, 2008 05:22 pm (UTC)
They deserve it. I bought two books for my son, on the seller's recommendations, & put a bunch more on hold at the library. So far, she's two for two--he's racing through the ones I brought home.
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