A Book Store For All Seasons

➱ switch to KingsRiverLife.com for this week's issue ➱

by Herschel Cozine

---

Ready for a contest or two?
Kings River Life Magazine is turning 2 years old this month
& we'd like to share the fun of publishing by publishing you.

There is a bookstore in my hometown, Ojai, California that is one of the most interesting I have ever been in. Before I tell you about it, I would like to give a few facts about Ojai itself. (Pronounced "Oh Hi"). Situated in the foothills of Southern California, between Santa Barbara and Ventura, it has a short rainy season, and what rain does fall quickly evaporates, with very little runoff. The residents hardly miss a beat because of rain. Also, because of its small size and rural atmosphere, there is little need for folks to double lock or even single lock their doors. All in all it is small town America at its best. Both of these factors, (rain, locks) make it possible for the bookstore to operate successfully.

---

Celebrate KRL's 2nd birthday & see how you can be published too!

---

The first thing one notices about the store is the sign by the front door: "When closed, please throw coins in slot in the door." Lining the outside wall are rows and rows of books. One is free to read them and purchase one even if the store is closed; the honor system that is sadly disappearing in this country.

Stepping inside, the big surprise is this: There is no roof! The entire bookstore is open to the atmosphere. Shaded here and there by a tree, only the bookshelves themselves have a covering.

On the rare occasions when it rains, the books are protected by these coverings. The water evaporates in hours leaving the area dry and the books undamaged.

There are thousands of books in every category one can imagine. Fiction and non-fiction, clearly marked and separated into the various genres. History, Biography, Sports, and so on. There are a few enclosed rooms where cookbooks, art, specialty and rare books are housed. In these rooms are chairs and couches where one can sit while contemplating whether or not to purchase the book.

The fiction is by far the most abundant. Classified by author alphabetically within the various genres, it is easy for one to find their favorite author or title. And, if you have difficulty, there are helpful staff members to aid you. Needless to say the staff is a happy one. I overheard a customer ask an employee: "Do you actually get paid for working here?" Considering the environment, it was a legitimate question.

Once you have found the book you have been looking for there are tables and chairs available for you to sit in the shade of one of the many trees and read. There are even snacks and soft drinks available. It would be easy for one to spend the entire day in the store. I have been there several times and have still not seen it all.

The store deals primarily in used books. And, having been asked the question countless times, the management has T shirts for sale with: "What Do You Do When It Rains?" printed on them.

For those of you who love books, if you are ever in the vicinity, make the detour to Ojai and visit this amazing store. You will find it well worth your while.

Image source: Dreamyshade, via Wikimedia Commons

---

Find out more about Bart's Books at their site, visit them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Image source: provided by Herschel Cozine where not cited

Don't miss out on the fun, you can still enter this contest & be sure to vote for your favorite entry by commenting – more submissions are being posted tonight so check back! Follow the River to see who shares their favorite or most memorable reminiscence of California next.

Herschel Cozine’s stories & poems have appeared in many national children’s magazines. Work by Herschel has also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock & Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazines, Wolfmont Press Toys For Tots Anthologies & Woman’s World. Additionally he has had many stories appear in Orchard Press Mysteries, Mouth full Of Bullets, Untreed Reads, Great Mystery and Suspense, Mysterical-E and others. His story, “A Private Hanging” was a finalist for the Derringer award.