I was delighted to realize that three excellent books I read this year were recommended to me by independent booksellers, including two who staff my local bookstore, Jabberwocky Books. (www.jabberwockybooks.com) I should know Eileen’s and Paul’s last names because I spend more time talking books with them than almost anyone else in my life. Paul recommended a book for me to give to my husband that was a huge hit with both of us – a rare thing.

The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven. For starters, most of this novel takes place near the top of the world: the Arctic island of Svalbard. More happens there and more colorful characters enrich Sven’s life than you might think possible in that stark largely unpopulated landscape. A little bit of Cyrano de Bergerac, a dash of Canterbury Tales and a layer of Call of the Wild, this novel will break your heart, make you laugh out loud and respect what’s required to survive, especially on the frozen tundra. Thanks to Paul for telling me about this original tale.

Our travels took us to the upper midwest this past fall and I’m here to report that independent bookstores are alive and well in the state of Wisconsin. I discovered a new bookstore in Madison: Lake City Books. (https://lakecitybooks.com/) Molly Fish opened this small, welcoming place of books. Fish was there when I visited and explained why she weaves used and new books together onto the shelves. “I hope people will discover new authors and books this way,” she explained while pulling the very slight book, Glaciers by Alexis M. Smith off the shelf between the latest from Alexander McCall Smith and Zadie Smith. “Read this author?” Fish asked I thought somewhat coyly. I had not. Now I have.

Glaciers is a quiet gem of a novel. Smith leverages ecological crises without dystopian and horror show level fear. In fact, it is so gentle and tender it’s almost more heart-breaking.

There are a number of reasons to visit Mineral Point, a former mining town now art colony that claims to be the “most Cornish town in America.” In the midst of sleek and rustic galleries and coffee spots and the Red Rooster restaurant that serves the Cornish delicacies – Cornish Pasties and Figgy Hobbin – is Republic Of Letters. The name on the window drew me inside. The space is even smaller than Lake City Books. It is as welcoming and thoughtfully designed. Keith Burrows, co-owner with Leslie Damaso, set a table of banned books at the front of the store. “James and the Giant Peach?” I asked Keith. “Yes, the word ‘ass’ is in there.” Oh no. “And the state of Wisconsin thought the spider licking its lips was suggesting something sexual.” I laughed and asked, “The Diary of Young Girl by Anne Frank was banned?” “Yes. Sex again.” I picked it up trying to recall anything sexual in that book I read decades ago. Then another book caught my eye. “Come on, Where’s Waldo?” Keith nodded, “Topless bather about the size of a poppy seed in the upper corner of one page.” It was easy to get lost in the game of challenging Keith to name the reason for the various bans. Eventually, I perused a shelf with books – all new to me.

While I wandered, Keith and I spoke about books I’d read of late, as well as books he’s read and liked. When my hand rested on The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Keith said, “That book is not typically a genre I enjoy. I just finished it and found it spell-binding. Really can’t recommend it strongly enough.” I’ve only read one other book that took me out of myself as a middle class white woman of a certain age from North America. https://wordpress.com/post/bethdyerclary.com/487

Contreras draws on the magic of her indigenous culture in Colombia to cast a spell on readers and tell her powerful and unsettling story of living in her conflict-ridden country of birth. She interweaves backstory into a telling of her time living in Chicago when she had an experience that made her wonder if she, too, had the otherworldly skills of her mother and grandfather, abilities historically found in men alone. This is a story anchored in the love of her family and culture that doesn’t shy away from some very hard truths.

These are some of the best books I read in 2023. They hold a special place for me because I wouldn’t have discovered them or read them were it not for indie booksellers.

Meanwhile, the snow, cold and rain, lots of rain, that have defined 2024 so far could get a girl down. Yet, this weather also makes for good reading. And good listening. Here’s one of my favorites from my Rainy Day playlist because it reminds me the sun is out there behind the clouds and will break through one of these days:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlO1FMb8stY