Great Show!
Last week, Drew Nelson performed in the store and it was so interesting to hear about his inspirations and influences regarding his songwriting. Of course, it was a treat to hear him play and sing, too! It was really cozy, like being in a comfy living room, just casual and relaxed.
I have been listening to his new CD, Dusty Road to Beulah Land a lot lately; what fun to hear songs I love (such as Grandmother Moon) performed live! We have some copies of Dusty Road to Beulah Land for sale here at the store; check Drew’s website for his earlier discs.
The crowd had several questions for Drew, which he answered thoughtfully and added lots of stories, too. I was especially impressed with his time and care since I knew he was about to leave on another tour directly after leaving the store. I would have been pretty stressed out, but Drew seemed comfortable, relaxed and interested in our questions. Thanks, Drew! It was a great show! Good luck in Texas and the UK!
- Posted by Jennifer • Tue, May 26, 2009 - 12:57 pm
LitLife Fan Club
Here at LitLife, we have been privvy to a bit of recent fan mail (and in-store gifts!) from some of our favorite customers, and we could not be more pleased. It is such a thrill to know that our little bookstore has meaning for the readers and writers in our community. Listen to this bit of writing from Josh Weston, who imagined what it would be like to be a representative of LitLife:
What happens when you walk into a store?
The occasional awkward greeting exchanged with a poor soul stationed at the entrance like a mannequin doorman (for who knows what misguided, ineffectual purpose)? Perhaps the equally awkward aversion of same? Let us set such interactions aside for a moment.
Another thing that happens is something shifts. Be it a familiar store or foreign, when we cross the threshold of a vendor we undergo an inner change. It is weird. Sort of a heightening of awareness. Certain lights boom on as others dim. But then it is also a sharpening of focus, a narrowing of aperture. If we did not think this experience was at least somewhat universal, we would drop the “we,” but the combined effect is something akin to a casting wide of nets and a counting-up of the irridescent shells of our capture, all at once. Call it shopping. A shopper frame of mind.
We the staff of Literary Life hope to cultivate an atmosphere in which this and/or any other such inward experiences can be had unabashedly. Browse assured. Unlike certain chain-store warehouses of every species (the bookstore, regrettably included) the fathoms here correspond not to area, or volume, but to the inner space between the covers of our books. So whether you hurry in for a last minute gift, or want to graze the hours away, be at ease. Though yes, we will probably greet you, you will find no mannequins here.
How cool is that? I do not think we could have said it better ourselves.
Shortly after we heard from Josh, we got a postcard in the mail. The front featured the crew from Star Trek, but it was the anonymous writing on the back that caught our eye:
Dear Literary Life,
I just wanted to tell you how happy you have made the city of Grand Rapids… Very happy! Thank you for being here. I cannot wait to visit. Also, your event listings look quite promising. I hope to attend as many as possible.
P.S. You guys could be the next Starship Enterprise Crew!
And, finally, this past weekend, we found a ceramic owl sitting on a shelf of poetry books. Along the bottom of the piece were some written words (interestingly, the writing seemed to match that of the postcard), taken from the work of one of our favorite poets, Mary Oliver:
To pay attention is our endless and proper work.
Thank you, Josh, for your amazing words. Thank you, anonymous fan, for your wonderful postcard and Mary Oliver owl. You brought a smile to our faces, and reminded us just why we created LitLife in the first place. Looking forward to seeing you in the store soon!
- Posted by Roni • Sat, May 16, 2009 - 1:55 pm