The Book Revue, a popular independent bookstore in the charming Huntington, Long Island, has been a tour stop for the past 20 years. They hosted authors of all genres and served a devoted following of readers who turned out for the events in droves. There’s a group of local readers that call themselves The Front Row Ladies because every time I toured through, they sat in the front row. Book clubs came en masse to readings and scurried out afterwards for dinner. The sprawling interior became a theater as bookshelves were rolled away and folding chairs were set up. There was a microphone and podium. Whoopi Goldberg and I appeared together when we had new books out in the same week- we had a ball. Christina Geist joined me for our last pre-covid appearance, to promote her children’s book and my latest novel.
I felt special whenever I appeared at the Book Revue. As the author rolled up in front of the store, twenty-foot signs filled the window. You would see your name beside the greats- presidents, bestselling authors and celebrities. I’m so happy Loren, the Events Coordinator, agreed to give me the sign when I last visited. She wondered what I would do with it- I still don’t know. It’s rolled up neatly in the closet. Now, it’s an heirloom. And I wish it wasn’t.
I have happy memories of the store- and I liked to load up on signed books when I had an event. I bought signed copies of an Umberto Eco’s novel, and Colston Whitehead’s latest. Looking through my shelves, I find book memories from the Book Revue including Maria Shriver’s book about spirituality and forgiveness. Signed books are treasures- and the Book Revue knew it. Most nights there were author events, and it brought life and excitement to the town.
When Mr. Klein announced the store was closing, my heart broke. Independent bookstore owners and their staff reminded me of growing up in a small town and shopping local. The shop owners in Big Stone Gap were a bouquet of businesspeople with interesting personalities and skillsets. There was Barney Gilley, the World War II vet who was the expert town jeweler. There was Mr. Ball who ran the record and television shop and was so kind when we had to hear a record to buy it. I picture him holding an album with his palms- never his fingers, so as not to leave a smudge. There was Mike’s Town and Tweed, owned by George Salaita. I babysat his kids, and his store was the elegant anchor for clothes shopping on Main Street- many friends worked there.
Communities thrive when there’s an independent bookstore. The loss of one is devastating. An indie bookstore pulls folks together for events, customers can find books with the help of the staff. An indie bookstore serves a need and purpose in the community. An indie in your town or city says something about you- about the place you live. It says that the written word matters, and access to it, in tandem with the local library, is essential to the intellectual and spiritual life force of a community.
I am so sorry that the Book Revue is closing. I fell in love with Huntington when I first appeared there, and set scenes in the novel Lucia, Lucia in Huntington because of that visit. Sometimes a bookstore that carries great stories becomes part of one. That was certainly true for me. Thank you, Mr. Klein, Loren and the staff- you are the best.
