Indie booksellers

What with trying to keep up with all that’s happening at Fletcher, and sharing the interesting paths of students, alumni, and faculty, I don’t pause often enough during the academic year to comment on our neighborhood.  Today, when I should otherwise be reading applications, seems like the perfect moment to share something I love about this region.

On Tuesday, I meandered over to Harvard Square for a reading by Nick Hornby, an author I like and who has a new book.  The organizers of the event reminded the audience to support local independent bookstores.  That made me think about how lucky we are to have these treasures in our midst.

There are actually many independents around, but I’m just going to highlight two that are particularly close to Fletcher.  One is Harvard Book Store, which organized the event on Tuesday — easily reached by bus from campus or subway from Davis Square.  The other is Porter Square Books, an even shorter bus or subway ride from Tufts.  Both stores offer a full calendar of events, and I’ve enjoyed talks by Junot Diaz, Edwidge Danticat, and others.  As someone who writes short things with an even shorter life, it’s inspiring to listen to real authors — whose work is to create something complex and lasting — talk about how they do it.

I’m well aware that Fletcher students don’t have abundant time for leisure reading, but I still think it’s great to live in an area that values books and can sustain independent bookstores.

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