Silence of Reading (Independent Bookstores in Michigan)

I owe my post title today to poet Rg Gregory whose lovely poem Silence of Reading gives us a beautiful, but brief glimpse into the experience of another reader, an experience that is oft reflected in our own reading experience. I will include the entire poem at the bottom of the post; however, I am writing today to connect all of you inspiring Michigan Writers with some inspiring Michigan reader’s retreats. These little havens, also known as bookstores, give us a place to investigate the world through the words of others. Let’s pay homage to the writers who have given us their voice and to the amazing people that house those beautifully bound books in a place worthy of their messages. These bookstores are small, community driven businesses that choose people over profit. Visit them and be grateful for their existence in our world.

Books and More: Albion

Blue Phoenix Books: Alpena

Aunt Agatha’s: Ann Arbor

Bookbound: Ann Arbor

Crazy Wisdom Bookstore: Ann Arbor

Literati Bookstore: Ann Arbor

The Dawn Treader Book Shop: Ann Arbor

Nicola’s Books: Ann Arbor

Squirreled Away Books: Armanda

Tattered Pages and Tea: Bay City

Horizon Books: Cadillac, Petoskey and Traverse City

Safe Harbor Books: Cedarville

Taylor’s Books and More: Coldwater

John K. King Used and Rare Books: Detroit

Archives Book Shop: East Lansing

Curious Book Shop: East Lansing

Saturn Booksellers: Gaylord

Evolve Books and Gifts: Glen Arbor

The Cottage Bookshop: Glen Arbor

Between the Covers: Holland

BookBug: Kalamazoo

Kazoo Books: Kalamazoo

Buy The Book: Kawkawlin

Everybody Reads Books and Stuff: Lansing

Leelanau Books: Leland

Snowbound Books: Marquette

Bestsellers Books and Coffee: Mason

Sleepy Hollow Book Shop: Midland

Book Nook: Monroe

The Book Nook and Java Shop: Montague

The Next Chapter Bookstore and Bistro: Northville

Oak Park: Book Beat

Triple Goddess Bookstore: Okemos

Great Northern Bookstore: Oscoda

Mclean and Eakin Booksellers: Petoskey

New Horizon Book Shop: Roseville

Forever Books: Saint Joseph

Mother Moon – Metaphysical Books: Saugatuck

Books Connection: Shelby Township

Lowry’s Books: Sturgis

Brilliant Books: Suttons Bay

That Used Bookstore: Tecumseh

The Bookie Joint: Traverse City

Brilliant Books: Traverse City

Higher Self Bookstore: Traverse City

silence of reading by Rg Gregory

i like the silence of reading flat on my stomach on the woollen floor my legs waving upwards like the fronds of ferns and in my mind gigantic screaming monsters or the mystery ship scuttling crablike to the shore

i am lost to the spell of words the enchantment of sea in the silent shell i hear nothing apart from that racing world alive in this room through my staring eyes and the hush of my stifled breath i miss the passing of time the gale outside and the very loud knock at the door