Square Books - Bookstore of the Year

Because one can never have
too many book bags!

Publishers Weekly has named Square Books as its 2013 Bookstore of the Year.

This popular store, established in 1979, graces the square in the center of historic Oxford, Mississippi and has grown to include two sisters - Off-Square Books and Square Books, Jr. 

I am delighted to be able to write that I visited Square Books on the Grand Southern Literary Tour and in my giddiness to be there got the autograph of Allen Austin, bookseller extraordinaire. He was the first to sign the autograph book that I thrust into booksellers' hands as I met them along the way. Just for fun, you know? I asked each signer to recommend a favorite book. Allen's was The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I must report that I have not followed up on his suggestion. 

In other news, my copy of Wild Strawberries by Angela Thirkell arrived in the mail from Robie Books the other day. I finally opened it this morning and was immediately caught up in Lady Emily Leslie and her family's boisterous arrival at church. Ms. Thirkell has such a delightful way of introducing the quirks of her characters. I had to pull myself away, but I hope to curl up with the book later on this week. 

The Grand Southern Tour - update

Eudora Welty

Well, already my Southern book store tour has gotten grander. I forgot about Jackson, Mississippi, home of Eudora Welty. Jackson is three hours south of Memphis.  I think the thing to do is go to Jackson from Memphis and come back through Oxford.

Have been on line checking out hotels. I like to stay downtown where the action is, not out in the suburbs where every street corner looks the same.

The January issue of Southern Living had an essay by Rick Bragg about books and lo, and behold, there was a photo of Welty's library. (link) I will look forward to visiting it. I love the books piled on the couch.

And speaking of libraries, a friend reminded me today that I must visit the main libraries in each of the cities on the trip. Absolutely.

See what I mean: Grander and grander.

A Grand Southern Tour



Oxford, Mississippi Courthouse

I have been wanting to visit Oxford, Mississippi for quite a while now with its courthouse square bursting with restaurants and shops. And best of all, book stores. 

Although favorite sons William Faulkner and John Grisham hail from these parts, I have actually only read one book of Faulkner's and none of Grisham's. That is not what attracts me. I am a sucker for small, Southern college towns (Ole Miss is here) and so Oxford has been on my radar for years.

Thanks to this blog, I now I have created a reason to go: a grand Southern Tour if you will of bookstores along Route 40 through Nashville, Jackson and Memphis, Tennessee with my point of destination being Oxford.

Ms. Google tells me there are independent bookstores all along the way. BookmanBookwoman in Nashville, the Book Rack in Jackson, and Burke's in Memphis. Once I get to Oxford there will be Square Books. I am sure to find others as well.

It is a three-hour drive to Nashville from where I live and another three hours to Memphis. Then from Memphis to Oxford is about 90 minutes. But of course, this is a Grand Tour, and so I will be taking my time and stopping and savoring each town. And buying books, no doubt. 

I will keep you posted on my plans. I am thinking April when the South will be abloom.